Plant, garden & social historian. Oxford Conted lecturer, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Champion. BBC Gardeners' World presenter & author of A Short History of Flowers: The Stories that make our Gardens.
Garden history
Have you ever thought about the natural pollinators and the plants that co-evolved over millions of years? How do the plants fare once they have been collected and relocated around the world?
Plantspeople
How often do we think about the millions of dried plant specimens which have been languishing in herbaria around the world for decades? What is the point of them and why we should care?
Garden history
The glamorous, unconventional world of Norah Lindsay, the garden designer whose wit, vision, and bold planting transformed the gardens of society—saving herself from near destitution
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Inspirational gardens
The echoes of Match of the Day in the 1980s should be a world away as I travel to discover a unique historic garden on the outskirts of Lisbon.
Garden history
From dramatic declarations of war to dangerously suggestive orchids, the alluring history of flower symbolism and why most meanings have been lost over time. Is there a desire to bring them back?
Garden history
When a new generation takes the reins of any historic house and garden, they know as temporary custodians, that what they hold in their hands can be fragile.
Garden history
Despite the damning indictment of the British climate by the Romans, growing grapevines and harvesting 'proper' grapes is now happening in suburbia.
Plant profile
Each year the reappearance of certain plants in our gardens rekindles memories of people and places that have touched our lives in one way or another.
Roof Gardens
🎵“Right smack dab in the middle of town, I've found a paradise that's trouble proof (up on the roof) …” The Drifters, 1964🎵
Through the Garden Gates
'In a sheltered foothold of a grassy range of hills, that stretch from sunrise to sunset, lies the garden of my dreams ...' Ella Christie.
Flowers
Finding the roots of forcing hyacinths for a delicious spectacle and scent.
Garden history
Changing careers through gardening, how the Women's Land Army led the way for me to become the person I am.