Big Garden Little Garden – Details, episodes & analysis

What's in bloom this month in the garden and how best to prolong that summer beauty.

Time to start planning for Spring Colour.

In today's episode of Big Garden Little Garden we talk colour and how to use it to create show-stopping, displays of tulips.

We also catch up about jobs we've been doing in our gardens and discuss an interesting aspect to prolonging the length of the Antirrhinum cutting season.

As promised, Geraldine has listed some Tulip Recipes below to match the named colour combinations that Claire discusses in the podcast.

She has also included a list of Double Tulips (Claire's favourite), as well as some suggested links to help get you started with tulip planning and purchasing.

Enjoy!

Golden hour

1. Apricot Delight
2. Angel's Wish
3. Amazing Parrot
4. China Town
5. City of Vancouver
6. Blushing Impression

Berry Tones

1. Princess Irene
2. Havran
3. Couleur Cardinal
4. Black Bean
5. Ballerina
6. Lilac Perfection

Carnival

1. Mariette
2. Orange Marmalade
3. Crown Jewel
4. Rococco
5. Daydream
6. Ballerina

Cool and Crisp

1. Spring Green
2. Green Star
3. White Trumphator
4. Concerto
5. Exotic Emperor

Monochrome

1. Ballerina
2. White Trumphator
3. Any Lily Flowered Tulip

Double Tulips

1. Angelique
2. La Belle Epoch
3. Black Hero
4. Amazing Grace
5. Danceline

Suggested links:

https://www.mrmiddleton.com/

https://www.peternyssen.com/

https://www.tulipstore.eu/en/

https://www.farmergracy.co.uk/

It's Dahlia season in this episode of Big Garden Little Garden, as Geraldine and Claire talk about growing Dahlias and the reasons why you should start growing them too.

There's also the usual catch up on what's been happening in their gardens, as well as more Spring Bulbs.

Here are some of their favourite Dahlias

1. Dinner Plates - Cafe au Lait, Shiloh Noelle
2. Pom Pom - (All the Joweys) e.g. Jowey Winnie, Jowey Paula, Jowey Nicky & many more., Downham Royal, Cornel Bronze, Purple Fox
3. Cactus - Nuit d'Ete, Hollyhill Spider Woman, My Loved, Park Princess
4. Waterlily - Onesta, Eveline, Bracken Ballerina

In Episode 07 of Big Garden Little Garden, Geraldine reveals why she is wearing an eye-patch. Hint - it involves a Yucca plant.

She also explains her new approach to dividing Dahlias.

Claire plans to move some Bush Grasses - Calamagrostis and asks Geraldine for tips on growing Snowdrops.

`Also, plenty of chat on Autumnal colour and jobs to do in the garden at the moment,.

Autumn has well and truly arrived in Episode 06 of Big Garden Little Garden .

Expect plenty of chat about Spring Bulbs and the top "Do's and Don't" for successful planting of Narcissi, Hyacinths and Allium.

Claire explains how to get going on forced bulbs that will provide much-anticipated flowers for Christmas, while Geraldine gives her Top Three Shrubs for Winter Scent.

Plants Mentioned in Episode 06

1. Kirengoshima Palmaka
2. Hosta
3. Malus (Crab Apples)
4. Thunbergia

Shrubs for Winter Scent

1. Sarcococca
2. Viburnum Bodnantense
3. Daphne (Mezereum, Odora, Bholma)

@mickkellygrows

Autumn has arrived and it's time to talk about The September Garden in Episode 5 of Big Garden Little Garden.

Claire reflects on the plants that have done well and earned their place in her small garden, as well as those that haven't thrived in pots.

While Geraldine talks Asters and prolonging colour in the garden for as long as possible.

They also chat Irish Grown Cut Flowers and the importance of helping this industry to continue flourishing.

Asters

1. Aster Frikartii
2. Aster Little Carlow
3. Asmster Nonae Angliae Alma Potschke
4. Aster Asperulus

Mentions

1. @flowerfarmersireland
2. @rhsi
3. @theshackletongarden
4. @theirishflowerfarmer

It's all about holding onto the last of summer in Episode 4 of Big Garden Little Garden.

Claire arrives back from holiday in France to find her plants have flourished in the good weather at home. Geraldine gives an update on her dry garden and profiles the dependable and very pretty, Japanese Anemone.

They also help some listeners with their gardening conundrums and announce an exciting Seed Giveaway!

This episode's Plant Profile:

Japanese Anemones, also known as Anemone Hupensis, now called Eriocapitella.

Varieties:

1. Honouring Joubert
2. Serenade
3. Queen Charlotte
4. The Swan Series

Seeds Available for Giveaway

1. Opium Poppy
2. Nigella
3. Aquilega (actual ejits!)
4. Sweetpea

Geraldine and Claire welcome their first guest on Episode 09 of Big Garden Little Garden,

They are joined by Danielle Doody of Naturally at the Wren's Nest who shares her passion for Irish native plants and her journey in creating natural products.

The conversation explores the importance of native plants, sustainable gardening practices, and the benefit of using natural remedies. Danielle also discusses her personal projects, including her garden and making herbal tinctures.

In Episode 08 of Big Garden Little Garden, it's time to start readying the garden for winter. Although, as ever, there are still some jobs, like weeding, to get done.

Geraldine talks mulch and explains how to make Leaf Mould "nature's gift" and it's finally time to plant those Tulip Bulbs.

Claire rediscovers her love for a yellow David Austin rose called "Bring me Sunshine" and gets over her aversion to eating pumpkins.

Tune in for more.

Geraldine and Claire are back after the Christmas break and celebrate the new year with a focus on upcoming plans for BigGardenLittleGarden in 2026.

Claire also gives an update on her beloved trees while Geraldine talks Galanthophiles and reveals interesting facts about the humble snowdrop. She also shares some helpful tips on how to successfully grow these dainty beauties.