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Peter Gibbs and the GQT panel answer questions on making the most of winter containers, the latest time to take cuttings and which plants can act as indicators of soil conditions.

Peter Gibbs hosts Gardeners’ Question Time from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Joining Peter are Ashley Edwards, James Wong and Christine Walkden - a panel with strong Kew connections. They answer questions on when is the latest time you to take cuttings, how to identify male and female ginkgo trees, and how to make the most of winter containers.

The panellists also explore the growing appeal of perennial vegetables, discuss indicator plants as guides to soil conditions, and share some of their favourite plant stories - from giant corpse flowers and monkey puzzle trees to the first spring buds of hawthorn.

And James Wong goes behind the scenes at Kew’s iconic Palm House to discover how one of the world’s most important glasshouses is being prepared for its next chapter.

Producer: Matt Smith
Assistant Producer: William Norton

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

* If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

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42 minutes

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Tomorrow14:00
BBC Radio 4

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Plant List

Q1 – “What is the latest time I can take cuttings?”(02’13”)

• Pelargonium (Pelargonium cultivars)• Geranium (Geranium spp.) 

Q2 – “How can you tell whether a ginkgo tree is male or female?” (05’54”)

• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) 

Q3 – “How can community gardens encourage people who don’t see growing as being for them?” (09’08”)

Christine Walkden

• Vegetables (various species)

Ashley Edwards

• Orchard fruit trees (various species)

James Wong

• Magnolia (Magnolia spp.)• Marigold (Tagetes spp.) 

Feature – The Future of Kew’s Palm House – James Wong speaks to Curator of Living Collections, Alex Summers (13’45”)

Plants Mentioned

• Cycad (Encephalartos altensteinii) †• Ficus (Ficus spp.). 

Q4 – “How useful are indicator plants in assessing soil?”(19’09”)

Q5 – “What can I grow in large terracotta pots over winter?” (21’49”)

Christine Walkden

• Tulip (Tulipa cultivars)

Ashley Edwards

• Sweet box (Sarcococca confusa)• Daphne (Daphne odora 'Marginata')• Hellebore (Helleborus cultivars)

James Wong

• Sphagnum moss (Sphagnum spp.)• Mind-your-own-business (Soleirolia soleirolii)• Wire vine (Muehlenbeckia complexa)• Tulip (Tulipa cultivars)• Crocus (Crocus cultivars)• Snowdrop (Galanthus spp.)• Daffodil (Narcissus cultivars) 

Q6 – “Which perennial vegetables would you recommend for a low-maintenance allotment?”(28’49”)

James Wong

• Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum)• Borage (Borago officinalis)• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)• New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonoides)• Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)• Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.)

Ashley Edwards

• Chayote / Chow Chow (Sechium edule)

Christine Walkden

• Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) 

Q7 – “What plant stories help people connect with horticulture?” (36’17”)

Jane Rogers – Community Horticulture lead at Kew

• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)• Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis)• Lichens (various species)

Christine Walkden

• Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)• Onion (Allium cepa)

Ashley Edwards

• Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum)

James Wong

• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)• Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis)• Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana)

Broadcasts

  • Yesterday15:00
    BBC Radio 4
  • Tomorrow14:00
    BBC Radio 4

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