Talking Dirty

A new year and plenty to talk about. Join Alan Gray as he takes you and Thordis on a 'wander' through the plants wowing at East Ruston Old Vicarage this month. PLANT LIST Clianthus puniceus ‘Kākā King’ Lachenalia rubida Fuchsia 'Wapenveld's Bloei' Tropaeolum majus 'Hermine Grashoff' Tropaeolum majus 'Margaret Long' Tropaeolum majus 'Darjeeling Gold' syn 'Darjeeling Double' Phlebodium aureum 'Davana' Viola hederacea Carex buchananii Galanthus plicatus 'Wandlebury Ring' Iris unguicularis Iris lazica Narcissus 'Rijnveld's Early Sensation' Narcissus 'Pueblo' Prunus mume 'Beni-chidori' Malva arborea 'Variegata' Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis' Arum 'Hungarian Rhapsody' Galanthus 'Wasp' Galanthus 'Glimmer of Gold' Galanthus plicatus 'Golden Fleece' Galanthus 'Primrose Warburg'

It's been a little while. Thank you for your patience. Alan and Thordis wish you a very merry Christmas and all the best for 2026. PLANT LIST Anemone pavonina Agave montana Daphne bholua ‘Spring Beauty‘ Punica granatum var. Nana Cordyline australis 'Charlie Boy' Galanthus plicatus 'Three Ships' Galanthus 'S. Arnott' Arum pictum Arum maculatum Arum italicum subsp. neglectum 'Monksilver' Musa sikkimensis 'Bengal Tiger' Lagerstroemia indica Weigela ‘Wings of Fire' Euphorbia mellifera Iris unguicularis Iris unguicularis 'Peloponnese Snow' Iris unguicularis 'Walter Butt' Fascicularia bicolor Dicksonia Antarctica Viola hederacea Begonia luxurians Ilex aquilifolium ‘Nellie R Stevens’ Cyclamen persicum 'Dragon Deep Blue' Plumbago auriculata Bomarea caldasii

September already and East Ruston Old Vicarage is as bursting with colour as you might expect! Alan Gray brings just a few favourites for Show and Tell, while Thordis is FLOMO*ing over a very 'Alan' container she spotted on holiday! *FLOMO = FLoral/plant-based fear Of Missing Out PLANT LIST Brugmansia 'Shredded White Fantasy' Brugmansia × candida 'Grand Marnier' Tagetes ex 'Cinnabar' Great Dixter form Ageratum petiolatum Tropaeolum majus 'Empress of India' Lobelia tupa Salvia regla Salvia involucrata 'Bethellii' Salvia involucrata 'Mulberry Jam' Salvia involucrata 'Joan' Salvia 'Tropicolor Sunrise' Solanum laxum 'Crech ar Pape' Catalpa fargesii Begonia sutherlandii Begonia sutherlandii 'Saunders' Legacy' Cuphea 'David Verity' Cuphea llavea Lotus berthelotii Salvia oxyphora Chrysanthemum 'Julia Peterson'

This month Alan Gray has come along with an arm full of Show and Tell, from his container-planting stalwarts to an eye-catching Crinum! I bet you'll be ooh-ing and aah-ing as much as his Talking Dirty co-presenter Thordis. PLANT LIST Phlox drummondii grandiflora 'Sugar Stars' Phlox drummondii grandiflora 'Crème Brûlée' Dahlia coccinea var. palmeri Tagetes 'Cinnabar' Amaranthus cruentus 'Hot Biscuits' Ageratum petiolatum Eutrochium maculatum syn. Eupatorium purpureum subsp. maculatum Clerodendrum bungei Cleome spinosa Crinum moorei Helichrysum petiolare 'Limelight' Tradescantia 'Maiden's Blush' Oxalis vulcanicola 'Plum Crazy' Iresine herbstii Iresine herbstii 'Aureoreticulata' Tithonia rotundifolia Clematis addisonii Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides Bomarea multiflora syn. Bomarea caldasii

From gap-fillers to planting for climate change, here's a meander through Alan Gray's latest escapades at East Ruston Old Vicarage, alongside his Talking Dirty co-presenter Thordis. PLANT LIST Hydrangea macrophylla 'Madame Emile Mouillère' Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ayesha' Hydrangea 'Runaway Bride' Amaranthus cruentus 'Hot Biscuits' Amaranthus cruentus 'Foxtail' Lantana camara Ficus carica 'White Ischia' Plumbago auriculata Leonotis leonurus Fuchsia 'Delta's Sara' Fuchsia procumbens Tagetes patula 'Konstance' Erythrina crista-galli Punica granatum Malus transitoria Salvia darcyi

Nearly the end of June already, past the Summer solstice and plenty to talk about at East Ruston Old Vicarage, particularly Alan Gray's latest planty purchases from their summer plant fair! Get ready to have some FLOMO*! *FLOMO = FLoral/plant-based fear Of Missing Out PLANT LIST Eucomis pole-evansii Eucomis pole-evansii 'Dark Desire' Rosa x beanii Verbascum roripifolium Iris tectorum Berkheya radula Berkheya purpurea Puya × berteroniana Beschorneria yuccoides Agave montana Phoenix canariensis Podophyllum versipelle 'Spotty Dotty' Abutilon 'Red Tiger' Desmodium yunnanense

No rain, but lots of other things to put smiles on our faces at East Ruston Old Vicarage, from the last of the Daffodils to punchy Pelargoniums and fab Foxglove trees! PLANT LIST Tulipa 'Yellow Crown' Narcissus 'Painted Desert' Narcissus 'Irish Linen' Tropaeolum smithii Piptanthus laburnifolius syn. Piptanthus nepalensis Bupleurum fruticosum Pelargonium 'Dark Secret' Malus hupehensis Paulownia tomentosa Paulownia fortunei 'Fast Blue' ('Minfast') Smyrnium perfoliatum Melanoselinum decipiens Echium pininana Echium 'Candyfloss' Nemophila menziesii Primula auricula ‘Swanton Cuckoo’

What weather we've had! As you can imagine there's plenty to talk about at East Ruston Old Vicarage, including an exciting new planting project for Alan Gray... PLANT LIST Magnolia 'Vulcan' Magnolia sieboldii Delosperma Cyrtanthus elatus syn. Vallota speciosa Watsonia Sparaxis tricolor Hippeastrum Tigridia pavonia Podranea ricasoliana Abutilon 'Fool's Gold' Clianthus puniceus Helichrysum petiolare Fremontodendron californicum Tithonia rotundifolia Coleus scutellarioides 'Burgundy Wedding Train' Coleus scutellarioides 'Pink Chaos' Mirabilis jalapa Anagallis monellii 'Skylover' Quercus suber Lobelia 'Kathleen Mallard' Primula allionii ‘Broadwell Oliver’ Chionodoxa luciliae syn. Scilla luciliae Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii Ixia Moraea huttonii

After an impromptu lurgy-induced break, Talking Dirty returns to explore the wonders at East Ruston Old Vicarage this March. Alan Gray - owner of the 32-acre garden on the Norfolk coast - shares new purchases and old 'friends' which are heightening the joys of spring. Meanwhile Thordis has some very seasonal FLOMO*! *FLOMO = FLoral/plant-based fear Of Missing Out PLANT LIST Abeliophyllum distichum Roseum Group Hedera helix f. poetarum Ilex 'East Ruston Gold' Magnolia 'Caerhays Belle' Pyrus communis 'Robin' Cichorium intybus Echium vulgare Borago officinalis Oak leaf Polyanthus Erysimum 'Winter Passion' Erysimum 'Winter Orchid' Narcissus cyclamineus Narcissus 'Rataplan' Narcissus 'Rijnveld's Early Sensation' Narcissus 'Firebrand' Iris 'Benton Dierdre' Iris 'Benton Olive' Narcissus 'Bath's Flame' Daphne bholua 'Mary Rose'

It's been quite a brutal start to the year, but that hasn't stopped East Ruston Old Vicarage from turning out some showstoppers this winter! From bulbs in the garden to shrubs under glass, Alan Gray shares some of the plants bringing him joy in the garden. Plus updates from behind the scenes. And, of course, some FLOMO*! *FLOMO = FLoral/plant-based fear Of Missing Out PLANT LIST Fuchsia 'Lottie Hobby' Narcissus cyclamineus 'Englander' Crocus sieberi 'Ronald Ginns' Solanum laxum 'Crèche du Pape' Griselinia littoralis Lathyrus grandiflorus Dianthus 'Mrs Sinkins' Pittosporum tobira 'Variegatum' Pittosporum tobira 'West Acre Gold' Reinwardtia indica Scilla bithynica Primula meadia

Alan Gray and Thordis are feeling festive and they're celebrating with some seasonal Show and Tell from Alan's 32 acre garden on the Norfolk coast, from the plants you'd expect to be dazzling in December, to some unseasonal surprises. PLANT LIST Galanthus 'Santa Claus' Galanthus plicatus 'Three Ships' Galanthus elwesii 'Peter Gatehouse' Narcissus 'Cedric Morris' Narcissus 'Tête-à-tête' Jasminum nudiflorum Arum italicum subsp. neglectum 'Miss Janay Hall' Iris unguicularis Lonicera fragrantissima Daphne bholua 'Darjeeling' Viburnum × bodnantense Sarcococca ruscifolia var. chinensis ‘Dragon Gate’ Camellia sasanqua 'Rainbow' Camellia hiemalis Camellia 'Sparkling Burgundy' Camellia 'Sugar Dream' Paeonia lactiflora 'Bowl of Beauty' Viburnum tinus 'Israel' Taxus baccata 'Standishii' Griselinia littoralis 'Dixon's Cream' Griselinia littoralis 'Bantry Bay' Forsythia suspensa Erysimum 'Parish's' Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve' Salvia curviflora Tradescantia 'Maiden's Blush Fuchsia 'Lottie Hobby' Amarine belladiva 'Anastasia' Helleborus niger Skimmia japonica 'Rubella' Euonymus Ruscus aculeatus 'John Redmond' Hebe 'Simon Delaux' Abutilon 'Gerdmann'S Red' Abutilon 'Estella's Little Bird' Solanum laxum 'Album' syn. Solanum jasminoides Album Solanum laxum 'Crèche du Pape' Coronilla valentina subsp. glauca Coronilla valentina subsp. glauca 'Citrina' Hedera colchica 'Sulphur Heart' Ilex 'East Ruston Gold' Arum pictum 'Primrose Warburg'

Alan Gray and Thordis take a look at the plants still packing a punch, even though East Ruston Old Vicarage closed to visitors last month...from fab foliage to seasonal blooms. PLANT LIST Iris unguicularis Iris unguicularis 'Mary Barnard' Iris unguicularis 'Walter Butt' Cestrum fasciculatum 'Newellii' Viola 'Parme de Toulouse' Begonia luxurians Ilex verticillata Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii 'Profusion' Hosta 'Empress Wu' Galanthus reginae-olgae Galanthus 'James Backhouse' Griselinia littoralis 'Dixon's Cream' Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web' Buddleja davidii 'Santana'

Alan Gray and Thordis take a look at the plants stunning the visitors at East Ruston Old Vicarage this month, including some unusual foliage plants. PLANT LIST Lapageria rosea Passiflora semiciliosa Bougainvillea spectabilis Mandevilla Pleroma urvilleanum syn Tibouchina urvilleana Abutilon 'Fool's Gold' Iresine herbstii 'Brilliantissima' Strobilanthes dyeriana Plectranthus ciliatus 'Easy Gold 'Tradescantia 'Maiden's Blush' Streptocarpus saxorum Camellia sasanqua Berberis gagnepainii var. lanceifolia 'Fernspray' Acer rubrum 'Oktober Glory' Salvia involucrata 'Bethellii' Salvia leucantha Dahlia 'Magenta Star' Dahlia coccinea var. palmeri Dahlia 'Labyrinth' Dahlia 'Edith Jones' Dahlia 'Dilys Ayling'

Alan Gray and Thordis look back at East Ruston Old Vicarage's starring role on BBC show Gardeners' World, plus container planting, greenhouse overhauling and Hedychiums. PLANT LIST Manihot grahamii Ptilotus exaltatus Begonia fuchsioides Tradescantia 'Maiden's Blush' Salvia involucrata 'Bethellii' Ageratum petiolatum Phlox drummondii grandiflora 'Sugar Stars' Coleus argentatus syn Plectranthus argentatu Coleus argentatus 'Hill House' Helichrysum petiolare Osteospermum Ricinus communis 'Carmencita' Dahlia 'Jomanda' Hedychium deceptum Canna brasiliensis Dahlia 'Ken's Rarity' Dahlia 'Magenta Star' Dahlia coccinea var. palmeri

From the climbers impressing Alan Gray this summer to the ways he's updating container planting, here's our latest special on the garden at East Ruston Old Vicarage. Talking Dirty is taking a little summer break, but we'll be back with an East Ruston Old Vicarage September Special. PLANT LIST Helichrysum petiolare Phlox drummondii grandiflora 'Sugar Stars' Petunia exserta Begonia 'Erythrophylla' Geranium 'Rozanne' Streptocarpus saxorum Argyranthemum 'Jamaica Primrose' Brugmansia × candida 'Shredded White Fantasy' Sparrmannia africana 'Variegata' Lantana camara Abutilon 'Ashford Red' Passiflora caerulea Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava' Punica granatum Hydrangea 'Runaway Bride' Podophyllum versipelle 'Spotty Dotty' Begonia fuchsioides Red Form Neopanax laetus syn Pseudopanax laetus Abutilon 'Gerdemann's Red' Passiflora semiciliosa Tropaeolum smithii Jasminum polyanthum Tropaeolum ciliatum Lonicera glabrata 'Damchin La' Salvia ‘Phyllis Fancy’ Brassaiopsis mitis Manihot grahamii Ensete ventricosum 'Hiniba' Musa nagensium

Settle back and get ready for another plant extravaganza with Nick Macer of Pan Global Plants. In Part Two of his Talking Dirty appearance, he shares plants for the future, great foliage combos, beautiful bark and so much more! Your FLOMO* is sure to be off the scale! *FLOMO = FLoral/plant-based fear Of Missing Out PLANT LIST Pinus engelmannii Firmiana simplex Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex' Napaea dioica Phlomis bourgaei Phlomis fruticosa Lindera obtusiloba Lindera triloba Acystopteris taiwaniana Hedychium gardnerianum ‘Tangkhul Naga’ Marsdenia oreophila (syn. Cionura) Dregea sinensis Dahlia tamaulipana Dahlia imperialis Persea bracteata Lagerstroemia indica 'Cedar Lane Red' Lagerstroemia subcostata Isodon (Plectranthus) effusus var. longitubus Quercus alnifolia Dendromecon rigida

This week it's a much-looked forward to episode with none other than Nick Macer of Pan Global Plants. From the extraordinary plants which have turned up on his nursery, to the ways he's testing hardiness, Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis are enthralled. More fantastic plants next week in part two. PLANT LIST Philadelphus 'Casa Azul' Philadelphus maculatus Philadelphus mexicanus Magnolia obovata Magnolia × wieseneri Begonia 'Torsa' Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana ‘Bells and Whistles’ Begonia grandis subsp. holostyla ‘Nanjiang Silver’ Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana ‘Claret Jug’ Amomyrtus luma Amomyrtus meli Luma apiculata Watsonia marlothii Indigofera heterantha Agave montana Agave ovatifolia

From propagation successes to exciting new container combos, here's our latest special on the garden at East Ruston Old Vicarage. PLANT LIST Mitraria coccinea Beschorneria yuccoides Agave montana Fuchsia 'Delta's Sara' Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana Begonia 'Torsa' Hedychium densiflorum 'Assam Orange' Dahlia excelsa Campanula medium Melica uniflora f. albida Dahlia 'Hadrian's Midnight' Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron' Oxalis vulcanicola 'Sunset Velvet' Oxalis vulcanicola 'Plum Crazy' Phlox drummondii grandiflora 'Sugar Stars' Phlox drummondii grandiflora 'Creme Brulee' Helichrysum petiolare Begonia 'Black Knight' Hydrangea macrophylla 'Wedding Gown' Hydrangea 'Runaway Bride' Dendromecon rigida

Part Two of our latest podcast with Steve Edney of the No Name Nursery continues with tales of the Chelsea Flower Show. Plus Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis spy more special plants in the polytunnel! PLANT LIST Persicaria virginiana Variegated Group Persicaria virginiana 'Painter's Palette' Tinantia pringlei Cuphea 'David Verity' Polyscias sambucifolia Chlorophytum saundersiae 'Starlight' Astelia nervosa 'Westland' Astelia chathamica Astelia 'Red Devil' Farfugium japonicum 'Wavy Gravy' Trifolium pannonicum

Partially recovered from taking the No Name Nursery to the Chelsea Flower Show, Steve Edney shares some of his favourite jungle plants from their display with Alan Gray (East Ruston Old Vicarage) and Thordis. PLANT LIST Abutilon 'Ashford Red' Aesculus wangii Aesculus californica Schefflera rhododendrifolia Schefflera taiwaniana syn Heptapleurum taiwanianum Brachychiton populneus Begonia scharffii Fuchsia 'Lechlade Marchioness' Farfugium japonicum 'Aureomaculatum' Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web' Boehmeria platanifolia Boehmeria kiusiana Farfugium variegatum Fatsia japonica 'Variegata' Fatsia polycarpa 'Green Fingers'