Scotland Grows Show

Scotland Grows Show S10 E2: Inside Crathes Castle Gardens with James Hannaford

“Crathes is a garden of real change. It’s got everything from early hedges from 1702 right up to contemporary new gardens. It’s a real kaleidoscope of colours.”
 
Step behind the historic garden walls of Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire in this episode with head gardener James Hannaford, as he reveals what it’s really like to care for a living tapestry that stretches back to 1609.
 
From resilient plant choices for Scotland’s wild winds to the emotional challenges of losing centuries-old trees in storms, James shares expert insights, inspiring stories, and practical advice that every gardener will want to hear as well as a shopping list of plants suited to our climate.
 
Whether you’re a horticulture enthusiast or just love a good garden stroll, discover the passion and responsibility behind one of Scotland’s great gardens with James Hannaford, and what it means to be part of Scotland’s gardening heritage.
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The Scotland Grows Show is the podcast which celebrates everything that is good in Scottish gardening, as we join gardeners around the country to find out what grows well where they are, and pick up tips and stories along the way.
Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows Magazine celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
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This series of the Scotland Grows Show is sponsored by Dedicate a Tree, a special opportunity from the National Trust for Scotland to help breathe new life into Scotland’s woodlands.
You can dedicate a tree from £7.50 and choose from three planting projects happening across places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. They’ll send you a certificate and information leaflet, as well as regular updates about the progress of your chosen woodland project, and your tree dedication can be shared on their virtual woodland.  
Whether you dedicate a tree for yourself or for a loved one, in celebration or in memory, you’ll help nurture and protect Scotland’s wonderful woodlands for generations to come. 
Dedicate a tree today at nts.org.uk/trees

Scotland Grows Show S10 E1: From Chemistry to Clematis on Lesley Watson's Horticultural Journey

“There’s nothing beats actually being outside and seeing how plants grow.”
 
 
Get ready in this episode to be inspired by one of Scotland’s most influential gardening voices!
 
 
RHS Judge, former garden centre owner at New Hopetoun Gardens, and Beechgrove Garden legend, Lesley Watson joins us for a personal deep-dive.
 
 
From her pivot as chemistry teaching to horticulture, from her behind-the-scenes stories at Beechgrove to wisdom and plant choices from decades spent running a garden centre and judging at RHS shows, Lesley’s practical tips and passion for inspiring others in the garden will leave you itching to get outside.
 
 
So pull up a seat - preferably in your own garden as Lesley recommends a seat as one of the important pieces of equipment in your garden - and enjoy this episode as we dig into gardening, designing, and inspiring advice with Lesley Watson.
 
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The Scotland Grows Show is the podcast which celebrates everything that is good in Scottish gardening, as we join gardeners around the country to find out what grows well where they are, and pick up tips and stories along the way.
Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows Magazine celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
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This series of the Scotland Grows Show is sponsored by Dedicate a Tree, a special opportunity from the National Trust for Scotland to help breathe new life into Scotland’s woodlands.
You can dedicate a tree from £7.50 and choose from three planting projects happening across places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. They’ll send you a certificate and information leaflet, as well as regular updates about the progress of your chosen woodland project, and your tree dedication can be shared on their virtual woodland.  
Whether you dedicate a tree for yourself or for a loved one, in celebration or in memory, you’ll help nurture and protect Scotland’s wonderful woodlands for generations to come. 
Dedicate a tree today at nts.org.uk/trees
 
 

Scotland Grows Show S9 E6: Small Space, Big Potential with Andy Peasgood

M.T. O'Donnell is joined by gardener and Scotland Grows writer Andy Peasgood to discuss the journey of transforming a typical new-build garden into a thriving green space. Andy shares his experience of creating a garden from scratch, tackling compacted clay soil, drainage challenges, and maximising every inch of his 8x6 metre plot.
Key Topics Covered:
Starting from Scratch: Andy recalls the early days of moving into his new-build home and the realities of dealing with a barren, waterlogged plot.
Designing for Small Spaces: How thoughtful planning, curving paths, most of vertical space, and filling borders can make even the smallest garden feel spacious, dynamic, and inviting.
Low Maintenance, High Reward: Andy’s practical tips for keeping gardening manageable, to plant choices that don’t require constant attention.
Wildlife-Friendly Projects: Inspiring ideas for habitats in any garden, like bug hotels, wildlife walls, gabion benches, and wildlife ponds.
The Importance of Soil and Drainage: Why good soil and proper drainage are fundamental (and often overlooked) in new-build gardens.
Lobbying for Better Garden Standards: Andy’s thoughts on what should be standard for gardens in new home developments, and the potential for policy improvements.
Creativity in the Garden: How Andy’s background as a ballet dancer inspired his approach to garden design, using the garden as a stage for creativity.
And of course, Andy's top plant picks to make your own small space a flourishing haven!
Connect with Andy:
Follow Andy on Instagram
Read his articles on the Scotland Grows Magazine website
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Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows Magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
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This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a brilliant subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £7 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £7 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows25 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.

Scotland Grows Show S9 E5: Gardening for the Future at Teasses with Craig Cameron

As the Estate Factor at Teasses Estate, Craig Cameron is dedicated to cultivating beautiful, sustainable landscapes while celebrating the traditions and heritage of this stunning historic estate. 
The gardens at Teasses have been created and developed on the Estate since the present owners came to the Estate in the mid-1990s. 
The sixty-acre gardens comprise of formal gardens, decorative woodlands, and a very unique restored Victorian walled garden full of perennial colour, wall fruits and organically-grown produce.Throughout the year you can visit the gardens to see early snowdrops in the woodland by candlelight, a spectacular rhododendron collection in May, billowing herbaceous borders and the new lavender garden in full bloom in July, and a swathe of colour in late Summer and early Autumn. The Gardens are open from April to October on a Thursday and Friday.
Managing such a huge and diverse garden area is not overtaken by a large team, and Craig shares the secrets to cutting down the workload in the gardens and lots of other wonderful advice which you can apply in your own garden.
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Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
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This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a brilliant subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £7 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £7 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows25 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.
 

Scotland Grows Show S9 E4: There's Something About Branklyn with Kate White

There is something special about Branklyn Garden - a 2-acre garden, set on the side of Kinnoull Hill, overlooking Perth, created from 1922 onwards by beginner gardeners John and Dorothy Renton, using amongst other things seeds and plants collected by plant hunters.
The garden was left to the National Trust for Scotland in the late 1960s by the couple, and today attracts 18,000 visitors a year to its enchanting space, and infamous tea room.
So what makes Branklyn Garden so special? 
Back in series 7 of the Scotland Grows Show, we chatted with Jim Jermyn, former head gardener at Branklyn, on his memories of the garden, and in this episode, M.T. O'Donnell catches up with Kate White, the current Head Gardener at Branklyn Garden for her inside take on the enduring popularity of this very special garden.
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Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
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This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a brilliant subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £7 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £7 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows25 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.

Scotland Grows Show S9 E3: Seagrass Makes its Debut at RHS Chelsea with Ryan McMahon

For the first time in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s history, seagrass the ocean’s only flowering plant, will take centre stage in a garden designed by Ryan McMahon of Falkirk based MUSA Landscape Architecture, for marine restoration charity Seawilding, supported by Project Giving Back.  
The Seawilding Garden’s design is inspired by the landscape found at Loch Craignish on the west coast of Scotland and home of Seawilding, a marine restoration charity active in restoring lost biodiversity to our marine environment. 
Seagrass meadows are a rich habitat for biodiversity, providing an important habitat for commercial fish species as well as many other marine animals, they protect our coasts from erosion, and they lock away carbon in the sediment preventing it from being released into the atmosphere, often referred to as ‘blue carbon’. Although covering just 1% of the sea bed, seagrass accounts for 15% of carbon storage in the ocean.
This is a fascinating episode exploring seagrass, and seawilding!
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Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
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This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a brilliant subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £7 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £7 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows25 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.

Scotland Grows Show S9 E2: The Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden

The Down's Syndrome Scotland Show Garden, inspired by a young Scottish boy called Liam, has been designed by Chelsea newcomers, Duncan Hall and Nick Burton  of Burton Hall Garden Design, who wanted to design a Show Garden for Down’s Syndrome Scotland to help break some of the barriers and stigmas faced by people who have Down’s syndrome, whilst celebrating their many positive qualities. 
In this episode, we chat with the garden designers about the garden ahead of this year's RHS Chelsea Show, and with Eddie McConnell, CEO of Down's Syndrome Scotland on the difference this garden will make to the conversations around Down's syndrome, and on the benefits it will bring in its relocation back to Scotland after the show.
We featured the garden in Issue 27 of Scotland Grows Magazine and if you re not a subscriber to the magazine, you can find details here.
We also promised to link in the show notes to Eddie's son Findlay's Instagram page, where he would welcome more followers so go make Findlay's day!
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Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
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This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a brilliant subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £7 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £7 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows25 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.

Scotland Grows Show S9 E1: How to Start Growing for Flower Shows with Calum Clunie

We’re celebrating the start of our ninth series with a guest whose passion for growing to show is truly infectious. Calum Clunie takes us behind the scenes of competitive gardening, offering a treasure trove of insider tips on what to grow, which varieties excel on the showbench, and how to boost your chances for that coveted rosette. From his first big wins with stump-rooted carrots at age 15 to his favourite gardening jobs and bold orange blooms, Calum reveals the camaraderie, fun, and learning that come from getting involved with your local horticultural shows.
Whether you’re a seasoned exhibitor or just curious to give showing a try, this episode is packed with tips, stories, and encouragement so grab a notepad - there’s plenty to inspire you to enter your own veggies or blooms into a horticultural show this year, and do let us know by leaving a comment if you’ve been inspired to pop an entry into your local flower show.
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Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
--------------------------------------------
This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a brilliant subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £7 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £7 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows25 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.

Scotland Grows Show S8 E6: The Evolution of Scone Palace Garden Fair with Brian Cunningham

Brian Cunningham makes a welcome return to the Scotland Grows Show, two years since he appeared as the very first guest on the show. 
In this episode, we talk about the ways in which Scone Palace Garden Fair has evolved over the last few years including the introduction of a speakers’ tent, the launch of the small space and showcase garden in the Scottish Garden Design Competition, a new demonstration area for this year, and the very unique experience offered at Scone Palace.
Brian’s passion for Scottish horticulture as always shines through and he updates us not just on what to look forward to at this year's Scone Palace Garden Fair, but on his top plant choices and his love for gardening in all seasons.
Further information and tickets for Scone Palace Garden Fair on 30th & 31st May 2025 can be found HERE.
Welcome to the Scotland Grows Show, the podcast which celebrates everything that is good in Scottish gardening, as we join gardeners around the country to find out what grows well where they are, and pick up tips and stories along the way.
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Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
--------------------------------------------
This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £7 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £7 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows25 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.

Scotland Grows Show S8 E5: What We Can Learn from Garden History with Kate McClorey

Kate McClorey made the bold transition from a career in IT to becoming Assistant Head Gardener at Floors Castle in the Scottish Borders, and she is back on the podcast to share her experiences over the past few years, including studying a diploma course in garden history at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. 
Kate discusses her motivation for understanding garden history, particularly in the context of her work at Floors Castle, and how this knowledge has deepened her appreciation for garden design. Kate reflects on her favourite historical gardening periods and the fascinating plant hunters of the Victorian era. 
Whether you're a gardening enthusiast or simply curious about the rich tapestry of garden history, this episode promises a wealth of inspiration and knowledge.
Welcome to the Scotland Grows Show, the podcast which celebrates everything that is good in Scottish gardening, as we join gardeners around the country to find out what grows well where they are, and pick up tips and stories along the way.
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Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
--------------------------------------------
This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £7 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £7 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows25 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.