RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 - At the Bandstand
GQT returns to the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show Bandstand where Kathy Clugston is joined by Bunny Guinness, Matthew Pottage and Dr Chris Thorogood.
Gardeners鈥� Question Time returns to the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show Bandstand.
Recorded in the dappled shade of plane trees and surrounded by colour and spectacle, Kathy Clugston is joined by Bunny Guinness, Matthew Pottage and Dr Chris Thorogood to tackle questions taken live from the audience, as well as a few familiar voices spotted among the Chelsea crowds.
Topics include how to recreate the Chelsea Show Garden look on a modest budget, how to rescue a struggling acer and which plants will thrive on an exposed rooftop terrace.
The panellists also offer practical advice on reviving an unhappy olive tree, planting for waterlogged ground and supporting pollinators with the best bee鈥慺riendly plants.
Along the way, there are design tips on balancing bold colour schemes and plenty of inspiration drawn straight from the show gardens themselves. Expect expert guidance, seasonal know鈥慼ow and lively horticultural debate 鈥� all set against one of gardening鈥檚 most celebrated backdrops.
Producers: Matt Smith
Dan Cocker
Rahnee Prescod
Assistant Producer: William Norton
A Somethin' Else production for 91福利社 Radio 4
* If listening on 91福利社 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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Plant List
Q1 鈥� 鈥淒o the panel have any tips on how to create the Chelsea Show Garden look in a normal family garden and on a normal family budget?鈥� (01鈥�36鈥�)
Matthew Pottage
- Geranium 鈥楻ozanne鈥�, cranesbill 鈥楻ozanne鈥�
- Alstroemeria 鈥業ndian Summer鈥�, Peruvian lily 鈥業ndian Summer鈥�
- Molinia spp., moor grass
- Deschampsia spp., tufted hair grass
- Allium spp., ornamental onion
Chris Thorogood
- Lupinus spp., lupin
- Iris spp.
- Gladiolus spp., gladiolus
- Allium spp., ornamental onion
Q2 鈥� 鈥淪ince repotting my olive tree, the leaves are going brown on the outsides. Is it too wet or too dry?鈥� (06鈥�59)
- Olea europaea, olive
Q3 鈥� 鈥淲hat is best to plant in very, very wet ground?鈥� - Clare Balding (10鈥�58鈥�)
Matthew Pottage
- Iris spp., iris
- Astilbe spp., astilbe
- Veronicastrum spp., veronicastrum
- Cornus spp., dogwood
- Salix spp., willow
- Ligularia spp., ligularia
Chris Thorogood
- Salix spp., willow
- Iris pseudacorus, yellow flag iris
- Calla palustris, bog arum
Bunny Guinness
- Alnus spp., alder
- Alnus glutinosa, common alder
- Alnus cordata (Loisel.) Duby, Italian alder
- Salix elaeagnos, olive willow
Summer Garden Pary Announcement (16鈥�20鈥�)
Q4 鈥� 鈥淚 have a sickly acer tree, it keeps coming back each year, what should I do to make it better?鈥� (17鈥�19鈥�)
Q5 鈥� 鈥淚 have a west鈥慺acing rooftop terrace. What flowers or edibles would you suggest. There are also many flights of stairs so nothing too heavy?鈥� (21鈥�13鈥�)
Matthew Pottage
- Astelia spp., astelia
- Hebe spp., hebe
- Echeveria spp., echeveria
- Agave spp., agave
Bunny Guinness
- Hedera spp., ivy
- Trachelospermum jasminoides, star jasmine
- Citrus 脳 microcarpa, calamondin orange
Chris Thorogood
- Salvia spp., sage/salvia
- Foeniculum vulgare, fennel
- Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, globe artichoke
Q6 鈥� 鈥淲hat鈥檚 the best plant to put in your garden for bees?鈥� - Bill Bailey (28鈥�50鈥�)
Bunny Guinness
- Symphytum 鈥楬idcote鈥�, comfrey 鈥楬idcote鈥�
Matthew Pottage
- Salvia nemorosa 鈥楥aradonna鈥�, Balkan clary 鈥楥aradonna鈥�
Chris Thorogood
- Phacelia spp., phacelia
- Echium spp., echium
- Cerinthe major, honeywort
Q7 鈥� 鈥淗ow could I become a famous gardener?鈥� (30鈥�46鈥�)
Q8 鈥� 鈥淚鈥檝e overdone the purple in my garden. Everywhere鈥檚 purple鈥� irises, nepeta, centaurea. What can I do to break up the purple?鈥� - Martha Kearney (33鈥�12鈥�)
Bunny Guinness
- Geum 鈥楾otally Tangerine鈥�, avens 鈥楾otally Tangerine鈥�
- Euphorbia mellifera, honey spurge
- Euphorbia 脳 pasteurii 鈥楯ohn Phillips鈥�, spurge 鈥楯ohn Phillips鈥�
Chris Thorogood
- Euphorbia rigida, upright myrtle spurge
- Euphorbia myrsinites, broad-leaved glaucous spurge
- Stipa spp., feather grass
- Molinia spp., moor grass
Matthew Pottage
- Artemisia 鈥楶owis Castle鈥�, wormwood 鈥楶owis Castle鈥�
- Elaeagnus 鈥楺uicksilver鈥�, oleaster 鈥楺uicksilver鈥�
- Rosa spp., rose (white forms)
- Allium spp., ornamental onion (white forms)
Q9 鈥� 鈥娾�漌hat do you wear when gardening at home? What are your favourite gardening clothes?鈥� (36鈥�19鈥�)
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Broadcasts
- Fri 29 May 2026 15:0091福利社 Radio 4
- Sun 31 May 2026 14:0091福利社 Radio 4
Join us at RHS Garden Wisley and be part of the show as we host the 91福利社 Radio 4 Gardeners鈥� Question Time Summer Garden Party
Find out more about how to get tickets to this event.
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