Gardening with the RHS Hidden Worlds: From Fungal Networks to Literary Landscapes
Oct 9, 2025
Dr. Jassy Drakulic, a mycophile and Senior Plant Pathologist, dives into the fascinating world of fungi, discussing their crucial roles in gardens and surprising uses beyond ecology. Alex Paines, a horticulturalist at RHS Garden Rosemoor, shares tips for maintaining both formal and informal hedges, emphasizing seasonal trimming and techniques for specific species. Fiona Davison, Head of Libraries and Exhibitions, explores how gardens influenced Jane Austen's writing, offering insights into the landscapes she admired and the role of nature in her characters' lives.
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Fungi Power Garden Nutrient Cycles
- Fungi are essential recyclers that return nutrients to soil and support plant health through decomposition.
- Mycorrhizae extend root systems and trade water and nutrients for plant sugars, underpinning ecosystem productivity.
Fungi Move Beyond Biology
- Public interest in fungi has risen with research into biomaterials and alternative therapies derived from fungi.
- Fungi are becoming cultural motifs and functional materials beyond traditional science and gardening roles.
Fungi Defy Common Biological Categories
- Fungi are neither plants nor animals and use chitin in their cell walls, linking them closer to animals biologically.
- Many fungi have diverse mating types rather than binary sexes, leading to vast genetic combinations.
