The secrets of wildflowers, with Chris Thorogood

In this episode of the BBC Gardeners World Magazine Podcast, host Emma Crawforth welcomes plant biologist Chris Thorogood to explore the science and appeal of wildflowers. Chris shares his passion for botany, explaining how he became interested in plants as a child and how his career has led him to study plants in various remote locations around the world.

They begin by defining wildflowers broadly, emphasizing that anything growing spontaneously can be considered a wildflower. They discuss intriguing examples such as yellow rattle, a hemiparasite that supports other wildflowers by regulating grass growth in ecosystems. Chris highlights the remarkable adaptations wildflowers have developed, including how some flowers manipulate their pollinators, like the strategies of certain orchids that deceive insects into pollinating them without providing nectar.

The conversation moves on to practical advice for cultivating wildflowers in gardens, emphasizing the importance of poor soil conditions for successful growth. Chris shares his experiences with wildflower patches and discusses the need for observation and identification skills when studying plants. He also highlights the interconnection between humans and plants, encouraging listeners to engage more with nature and consider planting wildflowers in their own gardens or local communities. Chris concludes by emphasizing the mental health benefits of spending time in nature and suggests ways to grow plants in diverse settings, including balconies and window ledges. The episode wraps up with Chris's reflections on accumulated knowledge in botany through careful observation and interaction with the natural world.