Actress Indira Varma shares her London garden

In this episode of the BBC Gardeners World Magazine Podcast, host Catherine Mansley interviews award-winning actress Indira Varma, known for her roles in 'Game of Thrones' and 'Luther.' Indira shares insights about her small London garden, which she has been nurturing for six years. The garden, located on a steep hill and characterized by clay soil, poses its own set of challenges, but Indira describes it as a 'jumble sale garden' filled with enthusiasm rather than design.

Indira reminisces about her childhood in Bath, where her parents' artistic backgrounds shaped her gardening style. Her father’s passion for edible and scented plants and her mother’s love for color greatly influenced her garden aesthetics. She describes her joy in using handmade pots and crafting whimsical decorations, alluding to a DIY spirit inherited from her parents.

Throughout the conversation, Indira reflects on her gardening inspiration gained from visiting beautiful gardens across the UK and how she manages to find inspiration despite space limitations. She expresses a profound appreciation for seasonal changes in the garden and emphasizes the calming effect gardening has on her, especially in urban London.

As an actress often away for filming, Indira discusses the difficulties of maintaining her garden, sharing anecdotes about her struggles with neglecting plants during her absence. She also addresses the impacts of climate change on gardening, emphasizing the importance of community gardening initiatives and sustainable practices.

The episode paints a picture of how gardening serves as a grounding and connecting force in Indira's life, allowing her to escape the pressures of the acting world while fostering her creativity and love for nature.