BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast In Conversations at Kew with Frances Tophill and Adam Frost
Dec 30, 2025
Frances Tophill, a garden presenter and author, blends her practical gardening wisdom with fun book insights. Adam Frost, a garden designer and television personality, shares his experiences from public landscaping to gardening tips. They dive into their gardening origins, play a 'love and hate' game about plants, and discuss the influences of mentors like Geoff Hamilton. The duo also reflects on their television journeys and the impact of gardening in personal and community spaces, all while sharing delightful anecdotes about pets on set.
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Episode notes
Avoid Oversized Garden Gimmicks
- Avoid oversized plastic garden chess sets and other novelty items that waste space and look out of place.
- Instead, keep garden features proportional and choose functional or planted areas over gimmicks.
Pick Clumping Bamboo, Not Runners
- Choose clumping bamboo varieties and avoid running types that invade and require heavy machinery to remove.
- Use bamboo deliberately or prefer non-spreading species for low-maintenance screening.
Use Shed Colour To Boost Plants
- Paint sheds and fences in dark or bold colours to make plants stand out and create stronger contrasts.
- Frances prefers dark sheds and Adam supports colour use when it suits the scheme.
