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© Michael Perry & Ellen Mary 2024
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More people than ever are appreciating the importance of plants in our day to day lives. Whether it's a plant-based diet, clothes made from plants, the wellbeing qualities of plants, or simply a fun shelf of cacti and succulents!
The Plant Based Podcast is about anything that can be traced back to plants… with subjects ranging from foraging for medicinal plants and baking with edible flowers, to plant-based body builders and clothes made from bamboo...
This is not just another gardening podcast.. this is The Plant Based Podcast!
The Plant Based Podcast is about anything that can be traced back to plants… with subjects ranging from foraging for medicinal plants and baking with edible flowers, to plant-based body builders and clothes made from bamboo...
This is not just another gardening podcast.. this is The Plant Based Podcast!
274 Episodes
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In this episode Ellen and Michael are joined by Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage — a charity dedicated to saving the UK's garden plants from being lost forever. From rare roses to forgotten fuchsias, they're on a mission to protect the incredible diversity found in our gardens and to support the passionate individuals keeping these plants alive for future generations. You can even find out how to be a national collection holder yourself, even if you have little garden space! Also hear about Michaels trip to visit Ellen in the USA plus the usual nonsense gossip. Find out more about Plant Heritage: www.plantheritage.org.uk Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created byt co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine
Welcome to today's episode, where we'll be diving into a topic that's been a hot topic for the UK horticultural industry—the EU Reset, announced in 2025. In this episode, we're joined by Sally Cullimore and Jennifer Pheasey from the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA). Both have been at the forefront of lobbying for change and advocating for the horticulture industry's needs. They'll talk with co-host Michael Perry, through the details of the reset, what it means for businesses, and how the HTA has worked tirelessly to ensure that the sector's voice is heard. Find out more: www.hta.org.uk Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created byt co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine
This episode is all about trees, with the ultimate tree experts in UK - Frank P Matthews. Fresh from their first exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, we have Steph Dunn-James, director of the company to talk us through why there could be a tree for everyone, wherever you live. Check out Frank P Matthews trees: www.frankpmatthews.com Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created byt co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine
Sarah Campbell isn't just known for magnificent floral designs and installations but also for always smiling! After appearing on the Netflix show 'The Big Flower Fight', Sarah has grown her event design business along with teaching the art of creating flower filled weddings all over the world. We can definitely say that Sarah is OBSESSED with flowers! Ellen Mary asks all the floral questions in this episode from top design tips, to must use flowers and behind the scenes gossip from show. Check out Intrigue Designs and Intrigue Teaches: Instagram: @intrigue_designs @intrigueteaches Website: www.intrigueteaches.com Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine
This episode is all about the much loved plant - Lavender! Lorna Maye from Mayfield Lavender guides us through the history of the plant and the organic, family run lavender farm on two sites in Surrey, UK. Learn about the many varieties of lavender, how to grow the fragrant herb and whats coming up next for Mayfield. Check out the fields: www.mayfieldlavender.com Follow on Instagram: @mayfieldlavender Series 19 is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine.
In this episode, Michael steps behind the scenes of hydrangea breeding with Leo, the plant breeder behind the renowned Living Creations Hydrangea series. Discover what it really takes to create new hydrangea varieties— from selecting parent plants to years of patient trials. You'll hear a live demo of the breeding process, as Leo walks us through the delicate steps of pollination and explains how breeders decide which traits to keep or discard. We'll also explore what makes the Living Creations hydrangeas stand out, and why they're such resilient performers in gardens today. Whether you're a passionate gardener, a plant collector, or just hydrangea-curious, this is a rare chance to hear directly from a breeder shaping the future of one of our most-loved shrubs. Series 19 of the podcast is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine.
In this episode Michael and Ellen Mary are joined by Steven from Growing Crazy, a UK nursery that specialises in the wonderful world of Pelargoniums. Find out the history, different varieties, how to grow them at home plus their edible and fragrant uses...and even a tricky to grow rare Pelargonium! Find Growing Crazy at: www.growingcrazy.co.uk Series 19 of the podcast is sponsored by Queen & Fine, the new floral design studio created by co-host Ellen Mary! From fabulous one off bouquets to weddings, events, offices and installations. Check out the website: www.queenandfine.com and on Instagram @queenandfine
In this weeks episode, we get an exclusive behind the scenes at the Horticultural Trades Association, as Michael speaks to the team about their activities across the growing world- as we learn about their awards programme, how they lobby and influence government, and even the way they study how we shop in the garden centre!
In this gossip episode, @mr_plantgeek talks through some of the plants he loved from the Flower Trials held in the Netherlands and Germany during June. From bedding Roses to an Elmo inspired Dahlia, Michael gets emotional over his love of plants! Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com
In this episode @ellenmarygardening chats with James Wylie from the Victoria & Albert Museum in Dundee about the new exhibition - Garden Futures: Designing with Nature. James talks through the exhibition, its importance and how it will inspire visitors. Take the journey through the exhibition in this episode and book your tickets to go! www.vam.ac.uk and check out the socials @vadundee Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com
Hayley Stephens is the guests on this episode to talk about rescuing cacti and succulents, the future for houseplants and of course plenty of cacti care tips. Hayley owns Mint Plants in Bristol, and runs the business with her emotional support team member, Mum Tina. Mint Plants has a huge collection of rare, old and interesting plants which can be found at www.mintplants.co.uk Afterwards @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening gossip about floral design, tattoos and progression in horticulture. Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com
Have you heard of the Titan Arum? It's not only the largest inflorescence in the world, but it's also the smelliest plant in the world, unofficially! Michael popped into Kew Gardens to speak to Leif Starkey about this botanical phenomenon, which has just bloomed in the Palm House. Check Instagram for photos of its rather beautiful withered form! Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com
Hot off the press! Michael Perry in his exhausted and exhilarated state, tells us what he enjoyed about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, the plant of the year winner, some celebrity spots and why next time he might wear a wig. Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com
In this episode, @ellenmarygardening speaks to the designers of two incredible show gardens for the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. First, Katy Terry from Good Grounding Garden Design who was inspired to design 'The ADHD Foundation Garden' after her personal diagnosis of ADHD in 2023. Then Duncan Hall and Nick Burton of Burton Hall Garden Design who have designed the 'Down's syndrome Scotland Garden' taking inspiration from Duncan's nephew Liam who aged 8 has been supported by the charity. Two fantastic gardens supported by Project Giving Back. Check out all of the information below: The ADHD Foundation Garden: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens/2025/adhd-foundation-garden Down's syndrome Scotland Garden: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens/2025/downs-syndrome-scotland YouTube video: https://youtu.be/95d_ptO1sCM?si=NhRC9ND_0aPCKRjF Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com
This is a special episode with sponsors of series 18 of the podcast - it's British Garden Centres! Eve Kerrigan spills the beans on the business of selling plants, some best selling plants and changes in the garden centre business over the past few years. Followed by a car based gossip with @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening chatting Tulips, slow eating and RHS Malvern. Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com
In this weeks episode, Michael is joined by two good friends, Meg and Gemma, as they have a really lovely gossip. These fab ladies have very interesting jobs in the industry, so make sure to listen and find out all about that, as they all put the world to rights, which is rather fun to listen to. Please excuse the bad quality sound, technology was working against us that evening, and Michael was also laying down across two armchairs trying to get the signal out of the window on the Isle of Wight! Enjoy! Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com
If you've heard the word permaculture used in horticulture but unsure what it means, this episode will answer some of your questions. Jack is a permaculture designer discussing with @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening how we can grow realistically in a sustainable and self-sufficient way, with permaculture principles. Afterwards, Michael and Ellen gossip about whatever springs to mind, from the Isle of Wight to Norfolk. Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com
In this weeks episode, Michael travels to Boston, in the UK, not the US, to find out about the last commercial conifer nursery in the UK, Golden Grove. He talks to Zoe and Karolina about their love of conifers, and why it's time to look at them through a different lens. We think you're gonna love this episode and we dare you to go and buy a conifer ASAP. The ideal place to pick up your conifer is one of British Garden Centres locations, and they are the sponsor of the season of the podcast! Plants mentioned in today's show include: Hedging: Thuja plicata Gelderland, Thuja plicata Goldy, Thuja plicata Little Boy, Taxus baccata Thuja plicata Whipcord, Chanaecyparis pilifera Filifera Nana, Thuja accidentalis Teddy, Thuja accidentalis Anniek, Cryptomeria japonica Tenzan Our favourites: Thuja accidentalis Anniek, Cryptomeria japonica Serama, Pinus mugo Carsten Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com
Stephen Flynn, one half of The Happy Pear joins @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening for this everything plant based episode. Twins Stephen and David are best selling authors, cafe and bakery owners, recipe club creators with a 4 acre regenerative organic farm. From the emerald Isle Stephen chats about plant based eating, growing and overall health. Afterwards Michael and Ellen gossip from Coal Yard Drops about plants, getting too close and men… Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. www.britishgardencentres.com
As we kick off series 18, we are beginning with a gardening legend, and good friend of the podcast. He started his working life as an electrician and now, via the Blue Peter garden, he is a government recognised ambassador for children's gardening in the UK. It's the gold sequinned wearing, SKINNY JEAN GARDENER. The first gossip of series 18 comes after the guest interview, with @mr_plantgeek and @ellenmarygardening chatting about anything that 'springs' to mind, April fools and plant life. Series 18 is sponsored by British Garden Centres. British Garden Centres are the largest family owned, and family run garden centre group in the UK, with over 70 garden centres. "We aim to provide you with great plants and gardening products at affordable prices, with a first-class service delivered by a passionate team." – The Stubbs Family. With garden centres offering plants, food and gift areas, outdoor living, Christmas departments, restaurants, homeware and so much more. All garden centres are pet friendly, and many welcome coach parties. The business also boasts a variety of retail partners across the group inside each garden centre. wwwbritishgardencentres.com
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