Kew Gardens: Winter Containers, Late Cuttings and Indicator Plants

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.

**NOTE** Comfrey was mentioned during this programme in a discussion about edible plants. Comfrey contains naturally occurring pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be harmful to the liver if consumed. Although comfrey has a history of traditional culinary and medicinal use in various parts of the world, consumption is generally not recommended in the UK due to potential health risks, regardless of flower colour or variety

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.