Shows
The Sentimental GardenerRodger Elliot on cultivating Australian native plants, growing passionate plant people and the interconnectedness of everythingHorticulturist, author, and advocate for Australian native plants, Roger Elliot AM joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener to explore how a lifetime of noticing — from childhood bushland to decades of fieldwork — can shape the way we understand the natural world. From early days learning under mentors like Edna Walling, Jack McLeod, and Glen Wilson, to co-authoring alongside David Jones the landmark Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation, Roger has spent more than sixty years asking: How do plants, people, and place shape one another? And what grows when we care with curiosity? In this...
2025-11-231h 32The Sentimental GardenerFleur Flanery on what the landscape says about us, The Australian Landscape Conference and a million trees.Landscape architect, horticulturist, and Director of Outlandish Ventures, Fleur Flanery joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener to explore how the landscapes we shape — from backyards to public parks — reflect what we value. From childhood gardens brought to life by the imagination to managing Canberra's urban forest and curating the Australian Landscape Conference, Fleur has spent a lifetime asking: What is this place saying? What could it become? In this episode, they talk about: memory, lineage, and legacy held in plants rethinking beauty in public spaces what it means to s...
2025-11-0351 minThe Sentimental GardenerAttila The Horticulturist on a life of observation, his plant zoo and being a part of natureCanberra-based gardener, horitculturist, educator, and advocate for sustainable horticulture Attila Horgosi joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener to explore what it means to live a life of observation — one that moves in rhythm with nature, not against it. From his home garden in Bywong, New South Wales — affectionately known as his plant zoo — Attila has spent nearly thirty years cultivating more than plants. He's cultivated a way of being. In this conversation, they talk about: how his family's migration shaped his philosophy of patience and observation, why he believes every weed te...
2025-10-201h 23The Sentimental GardenerJane Edmanson on gardens as teachers of joy and scent as triggers of memoriesGardening Australia presenter, horticulturist, author, and broadcaster Jane Edmanson OAM joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener podcast to explore how joy, memory, and responsibility intertwine in our gardens. They talk about Jane's unexpected path from country school teacher to one of Australia's most loved gardening voices, her pioneering role as one of the original Gardening Australia presenters, and the moments of wonder that shaped her love of plants. Along the way, they reflect on the power of scent to unlock memory, why joy itself can be a form of quiet resistance, and how caring...
2025-09-211h 00
Gardening Show21 September, Chloe Thomson joined by Cass Dowding, Chloe Foster and Connie CaoOn Sunday 21 September, Chloe Thomson - Bean There Dug That, was joined by Cass Dowding - The Sentimental Gardener podcast & Substack; Chloe Foster - Horticulture educator and author; and Connie Cao - Author & permaculture gardener.Text your gardening questions to 0488 809 855, or call 9419 0155 while we're on the air.Tune in 7:30 - 9:15am Sundays on 855 on the AM dial, 3CR Digital or stream at 3cr.org.au
2025-09-2000 minThe Sentimental GardenerChloe Foster on her book The Rookie Gardener, prickly grevilleas and growing gardenersHorticulturist and author Chloe Foster joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener podcast to talk about what it really takes to become a gardener — and why starting without a clue might be the best way in. They chat about Chloe's new book The Rookie Gardener, her early days pulling carrots straight from the ground, and her love of Australian natives (even the prickly ones). Along the way, they explore why gardens have become intimidating, how failure is part of the joy, and why humans need to get their hands back in the dirt. A...
2025-08-311h 16The Sentimental GardenerDeb Collett on dahlias, the sport of flower competitions and designing a garden with memoriesDeb Collette is a dahlia grower, exhibitor, floral art judge, and dahlia show judge based in Victoria. She grew up in rural New Zealand, where she gained early experience in gardening and exhibiting flowers. An active member of the Dahlia Society of Victoria and regular contributor to its magazine, Deb focuses on breeding new dahlia varieties, maintaining heritage lines, and supporting competitive exhibiting. She has won multiple championships and mentors new growers. In this episode you'll hear: How Deb's great-great-great-grandfather carried dahlia tubers from England to New Zealand in 1841, starting a family tradition th...
2025-08-151h 03The Sentimental GardenerJocelyn Bennett on Australian native garden design, tulip trees and dreaming of French gardensIn this episode, host Cass Dowding talks with landscape designer Jocelyn Bennett from Earthcore Landscapes about designing award-winning Australian native gardens, why she lasted only six weeks in engineering, and how her "Re-Set" garden proved that texture-first design can make even Australian native plant sceptics fall in love. Though Jocelyn grew up collecting flower cuttings with her mum and playing the tulip tree spotting game with her arborist father, she never expected to become a landscape designer. Her winding path from horticulture diplomas to winning first place at Melbourne International Flower Show shows what happens...
2025-07-2451 minThe Sentimental GardenerLinda Pottage on making beautiful pictures, building a new 'old' house and intuitive designIn this episode, host Cass Dowding talks with photographer and creator Linda Pottage about building an "old house" that looks like it's always been there, and creating gardens as extensions of interior design, inspired by a childhood of reading fairy and woodland tales. Though Linda grew up in 1950s suburban Bentley surrounded by neat rows of orange marigolds, her soul longed for something "more flowing and messy and organic." A pivotal trip to England at age 11 made her feel she'd found where she belonged, thinking, "this environment is right. This is where I belong." If...
2025-07-0336 minThe Sentimental GardenerEmma Cutting on street gardening, the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor and a bag of MaltesersIn this inspiring episode of The Sentimental Gardener, host Cass Dowding speaks with Emma Cutting, founder and CEO of Heartscapes. This Melbourne organisation connects, strengthens, and deepens urban communities of humans, flora, fauna, and fungi through regeneration and conservation. Emma shares her story of overcoming chronic fatigue syndrome and developing Australia's (possibly the world's) first urban wildlife corridor, the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor. Cass and Emma discuss Emma's early memories of gardening on her family's farm, her journey through chronic fatigue syndrome, and how street gardening became a transformative force in her life. They also delve into the...
2025-06-231h 18The Sentimental GardenerSandra Schwarz on the study of green spaces, her book titled Restore and silver birchesIn this episode, host Cass Dowding talks with landscape architect and author Sandra Schwarz about her journey from teaching teenagers to researching how green spaces heal us. Though Sandra grew up in German apartments with railway allotment gardens, her relationship with plants began quietly until a career-changing moment in her classroom. Watching her students' eyes light up when she suggested rooftop gardens, then hearing a designer talk about turning concrete channels back into rivers, Sandra knew she had to change careers. In this conversation, Cass and Sandra talk about: Growing up with German railway...
2025-06-131h 28The Sentimental GardenerRhiannon Dowding on her father the chemist, painting gum leaves and not being much of a gardenerIn this episode, host Cass Dowding talks with writer and artist Rhiannon Dowding (also her mother-in-law) about a lifetime of garden stories from Wales to Victoria. Though Rhiannon says she's "not much of a gardener," her life has been shaped by the plant lovers around her, from grandparents with berry patches to her chemistry professor father who filled their first Australian garden with native trees. In this conversation, Cass and Rhiannon talk about: Growing up in Wales surrounded by berry patches and her grandfather's famous "poo tea" experiments Her father's love of Australian native p...
2025-05-2533 minThe Sentimental GardenerHayden Schueler on being a "closeted gardener", Japanese topiary and caring for other people's gardens In this premiere episode, Cass Dowding speaks with Hayden Schueler, who went from studying music composition at the Victorian College of Arts to running Vereya Gardening in the Dandenong Ranges. His story comes full circle, now living just over the fence from his childhood home, on land where he once played as a boy collecting chestnuts and climbing trees. In this conversation, Cass and Hayden discuss: His journey from a "closeted gardener" while studying music to embracing gardening as a career The chestnut trees and camellias that connect him to childhood memories How following your passion...
2025-05-0842 min
The Sentimental GardenerThe Sentimental Gardener (Trailer)Join Cass Dowding, an enthusiastic everyday gardener, as she has conversations with fellow plant lovers about the gardens and plants that shape our stories and connect us to what matters most. The show launches end of April 2025. Click subscribe now so you never miss an episode! Theme music is by Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening See https://libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy/ for privacy information.
2025-03-3103 min