Gardeners' Corner BBC Radio Ulster

With many people reporting low bee numbers in gardens this summer, presenter David Maxwell chats to wildlife expert Katie Bell about possible reasons. At Kilcoan Gardens in Islandmagee Cherry Townsend reveals her favourite no fuss, long flowering perennials. How a community in Dromore, County Down is determined to change the market town for the better with plants and Dawn Isaac on ways to get the kids into the garden during the holidays. David is joined in studio by expert, Anna Hudson to answer questions live and she’ll also have some jobs you can do this week no matter the weather! Email the programme at gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Kylemore Abbey in County Galway is an iconic image of Ireland. Built originally as a private home in the 19th century, it later became a Benedictine monastery, and today it attracts half a million visitors annually. Alongside the impressive granite castle sits a six acre Victorian walled garden which was once considered the ‘Kew Gardens’ of Connemara, boasting over 20 heated glasshouses. David Maxwell explores the garden with Head Gardener Anja Gohlke. Also on the programme, organic vegetable grower Klaus Laitenberger reveals his latest project to create a garden with 100 edible plants. David finds Klaus on a piece a land he had purchased on the wild Atlantic way near Achill Island in County Mayo. Oliver Shurmann reveals his perennial of the month, and David is joined in studio by gardener Mary Doris. Email the programme at gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

The weekly gardening programme for keen gardeners with the latest advice, news and visits to gardens large and small around the province. Presented by David Maxwell.

David Maxwell heads to a cottage garden on the Ards Peninsula created by a couple over the last 10 years. With their dream now a reality, they recently opened the garden for a month under the National Garden Scheme. In County Meath, David returns to Rosie Maye’s garden for the second part of a chat about her diverse collection of roses. Designer Johnny Knox joins David in studio to discuss creating cover in the garden when the showers keep coming and market gardener Charles Dowding says no to digging and yes to composting. Ann Fitzsimmons will also join David in studio to answer questions live.

In this special programme, Gardeners’ Corner celebrates those who have passed on their passion for plants: from the parent with cuttings on the windowsill, to the high profile gardeners who have inspired through writing and broadcasting. David Maxwell hears touching listeners’ stories and heads to two gardens that have inspired millions. Firstly, to the garden of the late Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter where he meets head gardener Fergus Garrett who continues to inspire the next generation of gardeners, and then to Barnsdale which was the home of the late Geoff Hamilton and played host to the BBC Gardeners’ World cameras for 17 years. Geoff’s son Nick reveals how well his dad’s gardens have fared three decades on and how they are still used today to teach and inspire.

This week, David Maxwell visits Rosie Maye, also known as the Insomniac Gardener, and discovers her passion for roses. June sees a kaleidoscope of colour in the borders of her rural garden near Slane in County Meath. She explains how plenty of feeding and a seaweed spray keep the roses in tip top condition. A few miles down the road, at the Frances Ledwidge Museum, David meets someone who has visited more gardens than him! In fact Shirley Lanigan visited 375 in order to compile the latest edition of “The Open Gardens of Ireland”. In east Belfast a new garden has been recently unveiled at a supported living facility for the elderly. The garden at Bell Rotary House is both practical and fun. Niki Molly from Abbeyfield Belfast who runs the facility and designer Anita Houston give David a tour of the transformed outdoor space. Claire McNally joins David in studio to answers listener questions. Contact the programme at gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk