John had a unique way of looking at the gardening world around him. Those wry comments, quick wit and observation added massively to the appeal of Gardeners' Question Time.
Few gardening experts today can combine wit and wisdom in the way John Cushnie could. How deeply saddened I was to hear of John's untimely death on New Year's Eve. The news was a great shock, as I had only recently met John and the team for a recording of a Christmas Special edition of Gardeners' Question Time (broadcast on Sunday 27 December 2009), at which John had been on top form.
I'd been invited to join John, Bob Flowerdew and Pippa Greenwood at the Garden Museum near Lambeth Palace in London for the recording of their Christmas programme, and John was in fine voice.
And what a voice. Radio was made for him, and listening to John was always a pleasure … full of character, charisma, charm and wit.
John Cushnie had a unique way of looking at the gardening world around him. Those wry comments, quick wit and observation added massively to the appeal of Gardeners' Question Time. There was no messing with John, who said things straight as he saw them.
His plant and horticultural knowledge added underlying depth and credibility to his answers and advice, and were clearly put into practice in his own landscaping business in County Down. This brought John great respect from his colleagues, and a great following from gardeners across the country and beyond.
In addition to writing regularly for Gardeners' World Magazine and many other publications, John regularly hosted our reader holidays abroad. His knowledge of plants in Madeira or the tropics was as impressive as that of our native flora and garden plants.
Apart from an apparent aversion to some vegetables, I always felt John could tackle almost anything horticultural. His voice was friendly, and advice often laced with humour in a way only John could deliver. How we'll miss that voice.
A special tribute edition of Gardeners' Question Time is being broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Friday 15 January 2010, repeated on Sunday 17 January.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to John's wife Wilma and all his family and friends.
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