Ursula Buchan – “good in a bed but better against a wall”

Ursula Buchan is one of our great garden writers, although now largely retired. Noel talks to her about her career, her thoughts on current gardening and in particular about her book Garden People, based on the photography of Valerie Finnis, first published in 2019 but recently re-issued. The book is a wonderful insight into the world of Britain’s gardening élite from the 1950s to the 1970s through the eyes of one of its most engaging members. The quotation in the title refers to a rose named after an early 20th century aristocrat – something she’ll never live down!

This chat was originally broadcast on Thursday 29 May 2025.

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