Hillingdon: Seeds, Eucomis and Pineapple Lillies
What plant have you killed the most? What plant would you take with you to your island paradise? Kathy Clugston and the panel answer these questions and more.
What plant have you killed the most? How do I encourage my pineapple lily to flower? What plant would you take with you to your island paradise?
Kathy Clugston and her team of horticultural champions are in Hillingdon, to solve the gardening grievances of the audience. On the panel this week are proud plantsman Matthew Biggs, house plants expert Anne Swithinbank, and ethnobotanist James Wong.
Later in the programme, Dr Chris Thorogood is on hand to sew the seeds of knowledge as he educates us on all things seedlings, tackling topics such as what they are, how they grow and how to encourage them to grow healthily.
Producer: Bethany Hocken
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod
Assistant Producer: Daniel Pearce
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4
Last on
Plant List
Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.
Q – What plant have you killed the most? (01’34”)
James Wong –
Nelumbonucifera, sacred lotus
Anne Swithinbank –
Clematis
Matthew Biggs –
Selaginellalepidophylla, resurrection clubmoss
Q – What can I do to encourage my pineapple lily to flower? (04’52”)
Q – I have a magnolia tree in my front garden which is too large - Can I prune it now? if so, how much? (07’18”)
Q – The leaves of my smoke bush plant appear yellow and dry during the summer – why is this? (09’07”)
Feature - Botany Basics: Seeds with Dr Chris Thorogood (12’12”)
James Wong –
Ravenalamadagascariensis, traveller's palm
Anne Swithinbank –
Coriandrumsativum, coriander
Matthew Biggs –
Sequoiadendrongiganteum, giant redwood
Audience members –
Impatienswalleriana, busy lizzie
Lensculinaris, lentil
Q – How and when should I prepare my herbaceous border and vegetable plot so that what I grow next year will thrive and win all the prizes in all the shows? (23’25”)
Q – What would the panel suggest I use in my driveway instead of concrete to support a more diverse environment for my fauna and flora? (26’06”)
Matthew Biggs –
Thymusvulgaris, thyme
Origanumvulgare, oregano
Q – I'm redesigning my suburban front garden, and the only remaining plants will be two 25-foot-tall palm trees, either side of the central path. What would the panel suggest I should plant around them for all year interest? (30’30”)
James Wong –
Trachycarpus fortune, chusan palm
Phormiumtenax, new zealand flax
Anne Swithinbank –
Callistemon’s
Albiziajulibrissin, silk tree
Agapanthus, african lily
Clerodendrumbungei, glory flower
Matthew Biggs –
Cistus 'Silver Pink', rock rose 'Silver Pink'
Cistusladanifer L., common gum cistus
Salviarosmarinus (Ro), rosemary
Salvia, sage
Convolvuluscneorum, silverbush
Yuccagloriosa, spanish dagger
Q – What plant would you take with you to your island paradise? (36’05”)
James Wong –
Nymphaea 'Green Smoke' (T/D)
Anne Swithinbank –
Stapelia, leopard cactus
Irisgermanica, bearded iris
Matthew Biggs –
Hibiscussyriacus, rose of sharon
Broadcasts
- Fri 1 Nov 202415:00BBC Radio 4
- Sun 3 Nov 202414:00BBC Radio 4
Podcast
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Gardeners' Question Time
Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts


