Talks and Lecturers Packed Full of Advice and Trivia... Plus Full Audience Participation

Darren Rudge, also known as ’the laughing gardener’ has been a BBC radio presenter/broadcaster for over 15 years. His tips and advice can be heard on BBC Radio West Midlands, BBC Coventry and Warwickshire and BBC Oxford.

His career has spanned more than thirty years as a horticultural lecturer, assistant director of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, garden writer and garden designer being the winner of a number of RHS show garden medals including gold and best in show awards.

Darren’s talks and lecturers are packed full of advice and trivia plus he expects full audience participation. After more than thirty years in the horticulture industry he illustrates points using examples form his career in horticulture and garden design. Some are practical workshops where he will show the audience techniques involved; others are power point displays that are created to inspire and delight.

Bespoke Talks

If the list doesn’t contain what you are looking for please get in touch as bespoke or tailor made talks can be designed for you garden society, guild or students.

Testimonials

“I do wish to convey great thanks for your brilliant interesting and entertaining talk on behalf of the Friends of Ness Gardens. I had so many persons in the days after your presentation saying how much they enjoyed it and wanted more.”
University of Liverpool; Ness Gardens
“Excellent talk - erudite, scientific, very useful and full of fun. Thank you Darren and thanks to TDHS for the work in organising it.”
Tettenhall and District Horticultural Society
“Thank you for a brilliant talk. You are in high demand the group would like you to come and talk to us again.”
Wingerworth Horticultural Society
“Just a note to say thank you for your talk last week; It is always splendid to hear someone who is so clearly passionate about his subject and good to pick up quirky extras as well as plant information.”
Hurley and District Garden Club
“I am writing to thank you for coming to talk to our Society on Thursday evening. An unprecedented 87 members enjoyed your informative, entertaining and witty talk, thoroughly enjoyed by all.”
Balsall Common and District Horticultural Society;
“We’ve had excellent feedback from all present on Thursday night; it was enjoyed by all. We shall be searching you out at the Chatsworth show for more hints and tips and hope to see you back in Palterton very soon”
Palterton Horticultural Society
“Hi Darren, just wanted to thank you for Friday evening. A number of people thought you were the best speaker we have ever had!!.”
Badby Horticultural Society
“Just a quick note to thank you very much for entertaining us on Tuesday evening, we really enjoyed it all and learnt a lot at the same time!”
Claverdon Garden Society
“Thank you so much for coming to our garden club on Tuesday night. It was extremely enjoyable - we laughed, we learnt and will save money and use more environmentally friendly products in the garden. I do hope you will come back next year for Teabags, Bras and Tights Part 2.”
Hogweed Garden Club
“Hello Darren; Thank you so much for the extremely informative and entertaining presentation last week. I have had very positive feedback from members who obviously enjoyed your presentation as much as I did.”
Gilmorton Garden Club

Popular Talks

If the list doesn’t contain what you are looking for please get in touch as bespoke or tailor made talks can be designed for you garden society, guild or students.

Talk Title:
Colour and interest in the garden
1. Spring
2. Summer
3. Autumn
4. Winter
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Talk Title:
Designing your ideal garden
The principles put into practice
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Talk Title:
Tea bags, bra’s and tights
Household items that make gardening more cost effective; top tips and some trivia thrown in for free!!
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Talk Title:
Tea bags, bra’s and tights – part 2
Yes this ever popular talk returns with even more cost effective tips for your garden and lots more garden trivia and fascinating facts!!
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Talk Title:
Designing a show garden
A look behind the scenes at an RHS national show and the show gardens of Darren Rudge.
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Talk Title:
Sustainability and your garden
How does this work?
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Talk Title:
New wave planting
A naturalistic approach to garden planting
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Talk Title:
Plants for free
Plant propagation made easy
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Talk Title:
Pruning your garden plants
A simple guide to getting the best out of your garden plants
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Talk Title:
Garden history
A tour across the ages
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Talk Title:
Dealing with shade in your garden
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Low maintenance techniques
Tips and ideas for your garden to cut down on the workload.
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Talk Title:
Garden designers and their influence
1650 to present day
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Talk Title:
Wightwick Manor
Mawson and the Mander’s, a potted history.
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Talk Title:
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
A history of opulence and introduction.
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Talk Title:
The plant hunters
A history of discovery and introduction
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Talk Title:
Climate change
Its effect and how we can deal with it
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Talk Title:
Right plant- right place
Common mistakes made when trying to establish your beloved plants.
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Talk Title:
The development and establishment of fruit tree form for our smaller garden spaces-
A potted history
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Talk Title:
Producing your perfect hanging basket, patio pot or window box
The tricks of the trade. Slideshow and a practical demonstration.
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Talk Title:
Paths, patios, fences, gazebos and drives
A view across materials that can motivate and inspire.
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