In which I chat with Fiona Duncan, who travels the length and breadth of the UK, visiting and writing about hotels and B & Bs for her regular column in the Telegraph.

Although she's always enjoyed visiting gardens, and felt inspired by them, the garden attached to the thatched cottage where her husband grew up, and in which she now lives after a recent move from London, was a source of dismay and disapppointment.

As is the case for many garden owners it felt intimidating and she just didn’t know how to start. Enter a wonderful intuitive gardener called Ruth Farley who agreed to work on her garden if Fiona did so too.

This has turned into a wonderful collaboration and Fiona credits Ruth with supporting her to turn her relationship to the garden around and enhance her day to day wellbeing.

Towards the end of our conversation Fiona Kindly shares some of her favourite places to stay with gorgeous gardens attached, in varying price brackets, and I can’t wait to visit the ones I haven’t already visited.

A lovely conversation which I hope you really enjoy…

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My guest today is Jane Perrone, host of the popular ‘On the Ledge’ a podcast about all aspects of houseplants.

She is a journalist, house plant lover, member of the RHS Advisory Board for House Plants and Cut Flowers and grower of weird, mainly perennial veg.

As well as exploring the best house-plants for shade (our medieval cottage is pretty dark) we also discussed compost and how her acceptance of the fleeting joy of things that are beautiful in the garden, and the cycle of life, leads her to make the most of the moment that is.

It’s a warm and lovely conversation and, as I always say, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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Today my guest is, Emily Wheeler, who is passionate about harnessing the power of Biophilia, the innate human instinct to connect with nature, and natural processes, for enhancing wellbeing in our homes and workplaces by designing beautiful comfortable spaces.

She is founder of Furnishing Futures, a social enterprise through which she creates homes for women and children in social housing that is otherwise provided completely empty of comfort as well as a social worker and Interiors stylist.

We began by discussing the philsophy of Biophilia, what it is, how to use it and it can support us, before moving on to exploring how Emily became inspired to do the work she does, how Furnishing Futures came about and what she needs next to help her move forwards.

It is a heartwarming and inspiring conversation.

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Simon Lycett, who is known for his sensational floral designs (he has spent his career designing floral installations ranging from the flowers for the film, Four Weddings and a Funeral, to displays at royal weddings and other high-profile events), joined me soon after the worst of Lockdown was over, for what became a very moving conversation.

We explored the challenges of the previous eighteen months as the events industry, and Simon’s business, had disintegrated during that time, and how he found solace and sanctuary in his garden, beginning what he called his ‘Lycett Llves’ - weekday conversations in his garden on Instagram.

He says of these that they:

“meant that I had to go brush my hair, wax my moustache, put on some proper clothes, go out into the garden and do what I do, do a bit of presenting … and it gave me a discipline and a purpose; a sense of having created something each day, and it was as absolutely live saving for me”,,,

Simon joined me from Lycett Towers for this very rich conversation.

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Sue Biggs, OBE, is the Director General of the RHS. As the first September Chelsea Flower Show takes place I’m sharing the conversation I had with her earlier in the year, just as Lockdown was easing and RHS Bridgewater had opened.

Our conversation covered so much - everything from Sue’s relationship with her own garden and the ways it has supported her at the most difficult times in her life, to her role at the RHS and how she has developed her ability to run such a large organisation.

We explored her passion for increasing diversity and inclusion in gardening, and at the RHS itself, and much much more - we also discuss fake turf and, what seems to be a bit of a hobby horse, her wish to see more outside growing space in new developments.

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Laetitia Maklouf is a writer, journalist, mother and gardener who writes about managing her garden in 5 minute chunks whilst being a Mum. I find her writing moving, funny and very inspiring; full of useful gardening tips and ideas and I love the way she tells it as it is.

Our conversation was wide-ranging across the subjects of Lockdown parenting, finding time for yourself (she was getting up at 5.30am to get things done before the family woke up) gardening in 5 minutes a day. Oh, and mental health.

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