Cynthia Fan was undertaking a pHD in plant molecular biology when her colleagues at the Edinburgh Botanics noticed how much she loved being in the greenhouses - and how she could do amazing things with a flower frog.

She’s now an artist and researcher, weaving together scientific inquiry and visual expression through one persistent question: why does a plant do that? We were delighted when Cynthia agreed not only to speak to us during a live recording at the Niwaki store in London, but also give a demonstration of her boundary-pushing floristry. Next to bearded irises and beloved twigs, Cynthia spoke to us about flowers, her family and working in a way that makes sense to you.

We loved recording with Cynthia Fan. Her book, Among Willows: Essays on Plant Form and Family, is out now, and if you enjoyed Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass I think you’ll like it. You can also see Cynthia’s work on Instagram: @_cynthiafan. Thank you to our friends at Niwaki, and to everyone who came down to Cynthia’s talk. Why Women Grow listeners can save 10% with the code: WHYWOMENGROW

If you’re new to the Why Women Grow podcast, do check out our previous episodes, including guests such as Anna Jones and Sarah Price. And if you’ve enjoyed this episode, it would mean so much if you could rate and review the podcast on whichever platform you’re listening in on, or share it with someone you think may enjoy it.

This episode was produced by Holly Fisher. The theme music is by Maria Chiara Argiro.

Mary Keen has worked in, documented and designed gardens all over the world for decades. But it’s the garden she’s made at home, during her ninth decade, that she writes most affectionately about.

In her seventh book, Diary of a Keen Gardener, she reflects on both a life shaped by plants and her more recent years, when she has weathered grief, illness and aging. It’s an honest love letter to what makes a garden. And it’s here that we meet Mary, on a breezy spring day, to take a studied tour around her Gloucestershire garden.

Diary of a Keen Gardener is available in hardback now, and you can follow Mary’s exploits on instagram: @keenkeengardener.

This podcast is inspired by my book, Why Women Grow: Stories of Soil, Sisterhood and Survival, which is available in all good bookshops. We’ve also been photographing our guests and their gardens and you can see the beautiful images captured by India Hobson on my website and instagram account @⁠⁠alicevincentwrites⁠⁠. Thank you to our friends at ⁠⁠⁠Niwaki⁠⁠⁠. You can get 10% off your order with the code WHYWOMENGROW.

If you’re new to the Why Women Grow podcast, do check out our previous episodes, including guests such as Sarah Raven and Ula Maria. And if you’ve enjoyed this episode, it would mean so much if you could rate and review the podcast on whichever platform you’re listening in on, or share it with someone you think may enjoy it.

This episode was produced by Holly Fisher. The theme music is by Maria Chiara Argiro.

When singer-songwriter Yazmin Lacey found herself adrift after the release of her first album, Voice Notes, she discovered an unlikely muse in the earth. And she decided to study for her RHS Level 2 qualification in horticulture at the Walworth Garden in London. What started as an unlikely affinity bloomed into a new way of living and creativity - and in turn inspired others to stop and listen.

Teal Dreams, her second album, is a testament to growth - literal and personal. And so we meet Yazmin at the place where she uncovered gardening.

We are so grateful to Yazmin Lacey and the team at the beautiful Walworth Garden. Teal Dreams is out now and makes for a gorgeous summer listen. You can also find Yazmin on Instagram @yazminlacey.

This podcast is inspired by my book, ⁠⁠Why Women Grow: Stories of Soil, Sisterhood and Survival⁠⁠, which is available in all good bookshops. We’ve also been photographing our guests and their gardens and you can see the beautiful images captured by India Hobson ⁠⁠on my website⁠⁠ and instagram account @⁠⁠⁠⁠alicevincentwrites⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thank you to our friends at ⁠⁠Niwaki⁠⁠. You can get 10% off your order with the code WHYWOMENGROW.

We’ll be back later in the year with more episodes.

If you’re new to the Why Women Grow podcast, do check out our previous episodes, including guests such as Michelle Ogundehin and Daisy Johnson. And if you’ve enjoyed this episode, it would mean so much if you could rate and review the podcast on whichever platform you’re listening in on, or share it with someone you think may enjoy it.

This episode was produced by Holly Fisher. The theme music is by Maria Chiara Argiro.