Scotland Grows Show

Think you know heathers? Think again. In this episode of the Scotland Grows Show, we dive into the rugged magic of winter-flowering heathers with Wendy Scott, the grower behind Tay Heathers.

Discover why these often-overlooked plants are not only beautiful but also essential for winter pollinators, great for wildlife, and hardier than you might think in Scottish weather.

From practical care tips, like how to revive a woody heather and keep your plants blooming for up to 15 years, to behind-the-scenes insights into running a specialist nursery, this episode is packed with inspiration.

Whether you’re a heather beginner or looking to create year-round displays, tune in for variety recommendations, and a celebration of Scotland’s iconic plant that’s sure to change how you see your winter garden.

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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 or letterbox 4 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.

"Every town has a derelict space that... is kind of in limbo."

In this inspiring episode of the Scotland Grows Show, garden designer Ryan McMahon returns to share the transformative story behind Falkirk’s Meanwhile Garden — a vibrant, community-led project turning a demolition site into a thriving oasis for people and nature. Discover how a simple, temporary garden concept became a bold statement for creativity, resilience, and urban revitalization.

Explore the unique opportunities that come with designing a garden destined to be temporary: why every flower planted, especially the divisive but celebratory yellow, was chosen with both immediate impact and lasting legacy in mind. Hear about the low-cost, sustainable methods, the challenges of urban soils, and how community involvement, and sunflowers planted by dementia patients, helped shape a space that’s as beautiful as it is meaningful.

If you’ve ever looked at a dull patch of ground and wondered “what if?”, let this episode spark your imagination. Tune in for practical advice, creative solutions, and a reminder of the powerful ripple effect gardens can have on landscapes, wildlife, and the hearts of those who come together to grow them.

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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 or letterbox 4 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.

"People come in and say 'I don't want a conifer,' then point to one and say, 'I really like that,' not realizing it is a conifer."

We dive deep into the rich history and horticultural expertise of the Mill Garden Centre with Colin and Katherine McIndoe, whose family has been growing plants on the same Scottish site for over 125 years. Whether you’re a conifer enthusiast or a skeptic, prepare to see these versatile and striking plants through new eyes as our guests debunk common myths, share their hard-earned wisdom, and reveal how conifers can transform and brighten any garden, even in the toughest Scottish climates.

Tune in as we explore not only the fascinating evolution of the family business from vegetables and fruit to the ornamental wonders of today, but also get practical advice on choosing, maintaining, and falling in love with conifers and companion plants.

This is an episode to inspire both seasoned gardeners and curious beginners alike, offering guidance and stories you won’t want to miss.

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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 or letterbox 4 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.

"It feels like you've stepped into another world once you come through."

Step through the gates of the Explorers Garden at Pitlochry Festival Theatre with Caroline Bavey, whose passion for this unique seven-acre oasis brings its stories vividly to life. In this episode, discover how the garden’s design takes you on a whirlwind journey across continents from South America to the Himalayas and Japan, following in the footsteps of daring Scottish plant hunters who shaped the way we garden today.

Caroline reveals the secrets and surprises hidden within the glades, from rare Himalayan poppies to seedlings with connections to Hiroshima, and shares the joy and challenges of cultivating such an extraordinary collection in the Scottish climate. Pick up practical tips for woodland and shady gardens, learn about the garden’s conservation focus, and hear how sustainability and creativity drive every project, from leaf mould composting to repurposed garden features.

Caroline's book From Heather to Himalayas: Walking in the Footsteps of Scotland's Plant Hunters is available from Pitlochry Festival Theatre and will inspire you with tales of adventure, botanical discoveries, and community spirit that will have you itching to explore this special place yourself, or at the very least, to see your own garden with new eyes.

Don't miss Caroline’s reflections on legacy, learning, and why patience, curiosity, and a little bit of magic are essential in every gardener’s journey.

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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 or letterbox 4 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.

"You can teach skill, but you can't teach passion."

M.T O'Donnell chats to Sarah Forbes in this episode, winner of the ALBAS Horticulture Learner of the Year, who traded the corporate world for muddy boots and the historic gardens at Stirling Castle. Discover how a chance apprenticeship changed her life, leading her to literally ground herself every day by connecting with nature and Scottish history at one of Scotland’s most iconic sites.

From secret gardens and wild winds to the soul-soothing power of nature, she shares her journey and the importance of following joy in a lifelong learning career.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener, thinking about a career change, or simply love stories about nature thriving in unexpected places, Sarah’s story is sure to inspire and delight...welcome to the Scotland Grows Show!

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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 or letterbox 4 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