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Sully & District: Blooming Cacti, Shallow Depth and Signs of Spring

What climbing plants could I grow in a shallow depth? Any tips for encouraging my Christmas Cacti to bloom? What鈥檚 your favourite first sign of spring? Kathy and panel answer all.

What climbing plants thrive in shallow soil? How can you coax your Christmas cacti into a dazzling display? What鈥檚 your favourite first sign of spring?

Kathy Clugston brings a hand鈥憄icked panel of horticultural experts to Sully, Wales, where they tackle a lively audience鈥檚 gardening questions with insight, warmth and plenty of good humour.

Joining Kathy are garden designer Chris Beardshaw, houseplant specialist Anne Swithinbank, and Bethan Collerton, head gardener at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Together, they share their practical know鈥慼ow, creative ideas, and passion for all things green.

Pippa Greenwood meets Samantha Smith from the Horticultural Trades Association to explore the new Simpler Recycling initiative, and what it means for clearing out old pots, containers, and other garden clutter.

Producer: Rahnee Prescod
Junior Producer: William Norton

A Somethin' Else production for 麻豆社 Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Sun 15 Mar 2026 14:00

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Plant List

Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

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Q 鈥� How do I encourage my Christmas Cacti into full bloom? (01鈥�40鈥�)

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Anne Swithinbank 鈥�

Schlumbergera, christmas cacti

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Q 鈥� Could you recommend an upright conifer that could fit in my garden? (06鈥�24鈥�)


Chris Beardshaw 鈥�

Picea听glauca听var.听albertiana听'Conica', alberta spruce 'Conica'

Pinus Mugo, dwarf mountain pine

Calluna听vulgaris, heather

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Bethan Collerton 鈥�

Cupressus听sempervirens, italian cypress

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Anne Swithinbank 鈥�

Taxus听baccata听'Fastigiata' (f), irish yew

Pinus听heldreichii, bosnian pine

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Q 鈥� What climbing plants could I grow in a plot with shallow depth? (12鈥�07鈥�)

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Bethan Collerton 鈥�

Clematis听montana, himilayan clematis

Hedera, ivy

Ficus听carica听(F), fig

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Anne Swithinbank 鈥�

Hedera听helix听'Halebob', ivy 鈥楬alebob鈥�

Robinia听hispida, rose acacia

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Chris Beardshaw 鈥�

Indigofera听amblyantha, pink-flowered indigo

Wisteria

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Q 鈥� What vegetables could I grow in shady spots underneath a sycamore tree? (17鈥�42鈥�)


Bethan Collerton 鈥�

Chard

Kale

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Anne Swithinbank 鈥�

Jerusalem artichokes

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Chris Beardshaw 鈥�

Blackcurrants

Rhubarb

Currents

Peas

Spinach

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Feature 鈥� Pippa Greenwood met Samantha Smith from the Horticultural Trades Association to discuss the 'Simpler Recycling' initiative, and what it means for decluttering old pots and containers. (22'18鈥�)

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Q 鈥� What could we plant in a hospice garden that鈥檚 close to the coast and can provide lots of colour? (26鈥�42鈥�)

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Bethan Collerton 鈥�

Nepeta, cat mint

Malva听sylvestris, common mallow

Lavatera, tree mallow

Verbena听bonariensis, purple tops

Dianthus听carthusianorum, german pink

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Anne Swithinbank 鈥�

Cistu, rock rose

Helianthemum听'Pink Angel' (d), rock rose 鈥楶ink Angel鈥�

Peonia, peony

Lavendula, lavendar

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Chris Beardshaw 鈥�

Steppa gigantia

Lavateria

Urungium iburnium

Perovskias

Aqualegas

Calendulas

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Q 鈥� What could I plant around my pittosporum for a little colour? (33鈥�22鈥�)

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Anne Swithinbank 鈥�

Geranium听phaeum, dusky cranesbill

Polystichum听setiferum, soft shield fern

Digitalis听lutea, straw foxglove

Lamium听orvala, balm-leaved red deadnettle

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Chris Beardshaw 鈥�

Epimedium

Arum听italicum, Italian arum

Arum听maculatum, lords-and-ladies

Cyclamen听hederifolium, ivy-leaved cyclamen

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Q 鈥� What鈥檚 your favourite first sign of spring? (37鈥�10鈥�)

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Bethan Collerton 鈥�

Narcissus, daffodils

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Anne Swithinbank 鈥�

Akebia听quinata, chocolate vine

Clivia听miniata, natal lily

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Chris Beardshaw 鈥�

Narcissus听obvallaris听(13), tenby daffodil

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