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.

Episode 11 is the final instalment of BigGardenLittleGarden for 2025 and it's a very festive one.

Geraldine and Claire. share lots of Inspiration for beautiful Wreath-Making, as well as practical advice and know-how to help you create the perfect Christmas Tablescape.

They also delve into Irish Christmas Traditions and the symbolism behind them.

Where to source Irish Foliage

The Irish Green Guys

Gra Cut Flowers

Wicklow Foliage Farm

BigGardenLittleGarden will return in January 2026 with a Snowdrop Special.

Thank You to all of our listeners and we wish you a very Happy Christmas.

Geraldine and Claire

Episode 10 heralds the first ever BigGardenLittleGarden Christmas Gifting Guide.

Lots of gift ideas for the gardener in your life, or even more importantly, some advice on what NOT to buy them this festive season.

Mentions:

Martha Swales

Sue Stuart Smith

Simon Barnes

T.F. Maher -Pathana Garden

Jimi Blake - Hunting brook Garden

Naturally at the Wren's Nest

Sobal Soap

Bread & Weather

Jennifer Slattery Textiles

Throwing Shapes Ceramic Studio

Flower Pop

Hopeless Botanics

Lilliput Stores

Bunched

Sweetpea & Willow

Botanic Garden

Talk turns to the popularity of Hellebores and the creation of a Tea Garden in this episode of BigGardenLittleGarden.

Geraldine and Claire also ponder the unpredictability of flowering times for forced bulbs and realise, just in time, that succulents still need to be watered in winter.

In this episode of BigGardenLittleGarden Geraldine suggests some jobs to do this week in the garden, despite the rainy weather. She also delves into the captivating world of Ferns.

Claire reveals a happy discovery in her front garden and gives an update on which of last year's forced bulbs have flowered successfully outdoors.

It's also time to start ordering Summer Bulbs, so tune in for some interesting suggestions.

Ferns

DryopterisFelix - mas

Harts Tongue Fern

Osmunda Regalis

Matteuccia Struthiopteris

Did you know that the Christmas Poinsettia is actually a Euphorbia?

In the latest episode of BigGardenLittleGarden Geraldine profiles the Eurphorbia and its remarkably diverse genus.

Claire gives an update on the allotment and shares how she dealt with a whitefly infestation in the polytunnel.

They also catch-up on seed germination and all the goings-on in the spring garden.

Euphorbias recommended by Geraldine

1. Wulfenii
2. Seguieriana
3. Polychroma
4. Robbiae
5. Mellifera

A special treat for Rose Enthusiasts out there in this episode of BigGardenLittleGarden.

Susan Lynch of The Vintage Rose Company joins Geraldine and Claire for a chat.

Susan grows cut roses primarily for event florists and weddings and has lots of helpful advice on how to Grow and Nurture Beautiful Roses.

You won't want to miss it.

Claire finally gets to share her big gardening news in this episode of BIgGardenLittleGarden.

There's also more chat on seed sowing, with particular focus on seeds that are a little more challenging to germinate.

Geraldine also shares three choice spring woodland plants that you should get to know and definitely consider for your garden.:

1. Erythronium

1. Trillium
2. Cardamine

It's Snowdrop Month at Altamont Gardens in Co Carlow and BigGardenLittleGarden went for a visit.

Geraldine and Claire reflect on how much they enjoyed their Snowdrop Tour with Robert Miller of Altamont Plants, who recently added a huge portfolio of snowdrop bulbs from Avon Bulbs in Somerset to their own collection, making it the largest display on public view in Ireland.

They also get sowing seeds and have plenty of tips and advice to get you in the mood for spring!

They also

1. Seedaholic
2. Seeds Ireland
3. Brown Envelope
4. Quickcrop
5. Fruithill Farm