RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 - At the Bandstand
5/29/202642 min
Gardeners’ 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‑friendly 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‑how and lively horticultural debate — all set against one of gardening’s most celebrated backdrops.
Producers: Matt Smith Dan Cocker Rahnee Prescod
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.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsChris Thorogood· Panelist0:00
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Speaker 20:03
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Speaker 30:32
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Kathy Clugston· Host1:01
[upbeat music] Hello, and welcome to Gardener's Question Time. I'm Kathy Clugston. Today, we're in a magnificent open-air location in the shade of soaring plane trees. In front of me are frocks, hats, and blazers of many colors, luckily sunglasses too. Just beyond are trade stands selling everything from fancy tea towels to posh trolls. And in the distance, the buzz and hubbub of hundreds of green-fingered enthusiasts enjoying a