Episodes

  • Dangerous Plants - The Dangers that Lurk in our Flowerbeds

    Dangerous Plants - The Dangers that Lurk in our Flowerbeds
    Oct 29 2024
    Psychoactive plants have hallucinogenic properties. They have been used by mankind for thousands of years and still play important roles in culture and religion today. In this episode of Dangerous Plants, Frances Tophill talks to Tom Pattinson from the Alnwick Poison Garden to discover some of the common toxic, intoxicating and narcotic plants that may lurk in our flowerbeds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • Travel Tales - Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

    Travel Tales - Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
    Oct 26 2024
    Gardens by the Bay is more than just a garden. It's a futuristic, innovative space where technology and nature seamlessly blend together, creating an awe inspiring experience for visitors. One of the highlights is the changing floral displays in the flower field. Each season brings a new theme, from tulip mania to daily dreams, it's always exciting to see what's next. Gardens by the Bay isn't just about the iconic domes though, the outdoor gardens are just as amazing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • Dangerous Plants - Agatha Christie's Poisonous Plants

    Dangerous Plants - Agatha Christie's Poisonous Plants
    Oct 23 2024
    Deadly potions, poison, murder and intrigue – dangerous plants were used in many of Agatha Christie’s novels. In this episode of Dangerous Plants, Frances Tophill discusses the plants that Christie exploited to great effect in her fictitious murder mysteries and why poisoning is a more feminine method of committing a crime with Ali Marshall, Head Gardener at Torre Abbey and the Potent Plants Garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Dangerous Plants - How to Forage and not Die

    Dangerous Plants - How to Forage and not Die
    Oct 22 2024
    Toxic plants, deadly fungi and mistaken identity in the hedgerows can all lead to unpleasant consequences. In this episode of Dangerous Plants, horticulturist Frances Tophill talks to UK forager James Wood to discuss how to enjoy nature’s bounty throughout the year, tips for how to clarify what is edible and what’s not and encourage us to forage wilder and deeper, safely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Travel Tales - Gordon Castle Walled Garden, Scotland

    Travel Tales - Gordon Castle Walled Garden, Scotland
    Oct 18 2024
    Tucked away in the heart of the Scottish Highlands is a gardening masterpiece: the Gordon Castle Walled Garden. This eight-acre walled garden is one of the largest in Britain and a stunning example of modern horticulture blended with historic charm. The garden is divided into various sections, each with its own unique character. Be captivated by this stunning walled garden— evoking images of secret, enchanting spaces filled with vibrant blooms and rich history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    8 mins
  • Dangerous Plants - The Cost of Cotton: Slavery’s Legacy and its Environmental Fallout

    Dangerous Plants - The Cost of Cotton: Slavery’s Legacy and its Environmental Fallout
    Oct 16 2024
    How has cotton, a soft staple fibre, been dangerous for centuries - and continues to be so? Threatening human life, natural resources and biodiversity, the cotton plant has wreaked havoc over the years in the slave trade, farming and industry. Joining Frances are Dr Cassandra Gooptar, Lecturer in Legacies of Slavery at the University of Hull, and Environmental Sustainability expert Inemesit Ukpanah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr
  • Travel Tales - Alhambra Palace and Garden, Spain

    Travel Tales - Alhambra Palace and Garden, Spain
    Oct 11 2024
    The Alhambra is a magnificent fortress-palace complex perched on a hilltop, celebrated for its awe-inspiring architecture and exquisite gardens. If you’re a garden enthusiast or someone who appreciates natural beauty, the Alhambra is a must-see. Originally a fortress before becoming a royal palace, the gardens are prime examples of Islamic design, characterized by intricate water features, lush greenery, and serene courtyards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    8 mins