Horticulturist, 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 episode, they talk about:

• the "web of life" Roger saw long before ecology had a name
• the quiet, essential partnership of Roger and Gwen
• how nurseries, fieldwork, and mentoring shaped generations of plant lovers
• and why caring for plants is inseparable from caring for people

A gentle, generous conversation about legacy, relationship, and the slow work of cultivating a life with meaning.

— SHOW NOTES:

See extensive show notes over at The Sentimental Gardner - Rodger Elliot

Visit the Australian Garden at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Cranbourne to see one of the landscapes Roger helped shape.

Music by Hayden Schueler @vereyagardening
Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding
Production and Editing: Cass Dowding

Privacy: libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy

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 sit on the edge of an idea

• and why design — done with intent — is an act of care

A reflective conversation about tending both land and life with purpose.

—

SHOW NOTES:

Learn more about Fleur's work, garden tours and The Australian Landscape Conference at Outlandish Ventures.

Follow @outlandishventures on Instagram for updates.

Music by Hayden Schueler @vereyagardening
Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding
Production and Editing: Cass Dowling

Privacy: libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy

Canberra-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 tells a story,

• what the garden can teach us about paying attention, and

• the quiet rebellion of living slowly in a world that wants everything now.

A grounded, reflective conversation about time, attention, and what can happen when we stop rushing for answers and start listening to the world around us.

// Show notes //

Follow Attila The Horticulturist on Instagram

Find links and resources mentioned in the episode here.

Credits:
Music: Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening
Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding
Production and editing: Cass Dowding

See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.

Gardening 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 for nature doesn't have to feel overwhelming — it can begin with something as simple as crushing a mint leaf.

An uplifting, thoughtful conversation with one of Australia's gardening icons, offering hope and inspiration for anyone who's ever found solace in a plant.

// Show notes //
Find links and resources mentioned in the episode here

Credits:
Music: Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening
Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding
Production and editing: Cass Dowding

See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.

Horticulturist 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 warm, funny, and quietly motivating conversation for anyone who's ever looked at a plant and thought: "I have no idea what I'm doing."

// Show notes //

Follow Chloe on Instagram @fosteryourgarden
Follow Cass on Instagram @the_sentimental_gardener

Buy Chloe's book 'The Rookie Gardener' out September 2nd 2025 at your local bookstore or online

Read more about Chloe's work on her website

Read show notes about guests and access the full transcript by visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts

Credits:

Music: Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening

Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding

Production and editing: Cass Dowding

See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.

Deb 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 that flows through generations

• Her journey from chemistry labs to becoming one of Australia's most trusted voices in the dahlia world

• Growing a "collector's garden"

• How specialist plant and flower societies create community and belonging around shared passion

• The fascinating world of dahlia genetics, where every seed creates a unique individual

• Her approach to breeding dahlias and what makes the "cut" in her garden

• The stories behind dahlia names and the heritage she's helped preserve through research

• Pre-rational plant memories: the violets, daphne, and New Zealand natives that anchor her to childhood

• Why she believes it takes just as much effort to grow a bad dahlia as a good one

• Plus answers to burning dahlia questions from listeners

Follow Deb on Instagram @debsdahlias

Follow Cass on Instagram - @the_sentimental_gardener. Links to social pages and more are available at bio.site/thesentimentalgardener.

Read show notes about the guests and access the full transcript by visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts

Credits:
Music: Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening
Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding
Production and editing: Cass Dowding

See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.

In 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 when you trust what your body tells you it needs … even when that means needing green spaces to feel grounded.

If you've ever felt called to follow an unconventional path, believe that Australian natives can be both beautiful and calming, or want to understand how childhood experiences shape the spaces we create, this conversation is for you.

Follow Jocelyn Bennett and Earthcore Landscapes on Instagram @earthcorelandscapes

Follow Cass on Instagram - @the_sentimental_gardener. Links to social pages and more are available at bio.site/thesentimentalgardener.

Read show notes about the guests and access the full transcript by visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts

Music written and performed by Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening.

Podcast produced and edited by Cass and Tom Dowding

See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.

In 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 you've ever felt called to create beautiful spaces, trusted your instincts over conventional wisdom, or believe that home is something you build rather than find, this conversation will inspire you.

Follow Linda Pottage and find out more about hiring The Potterage on Instagram and Facebook

Follow Cass on Instagram, Facebook, or Threads — @the_sentimental_gardener. Links to social pages and more are available at bio.site/thesentimentalgardener.

Read show notes about the guests and access the full transcript by clicking here or visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts

Music written and performed by Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening.

Podcast produced and edited by Cass and Tom Dowding

See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.