Episode 142: Fall Natives

Let's Argue About Plants

It’s time to grab that sweatshirt and dig out those heavier socks—fall has arrived! Although it’s sad to see summer go, we’re getting super excited for the new season around here. The native plants in New England (where our podcast is based) are starting to look especially lovely so we’ve dedicated this show to them. We’ve got an array of native woodies that bloom or color up in autumn (Danielle) and a few perennials that save their best for September (Carol). Don’t worry—we’re not just featuring plants native to the eastern seaboard either, we’ve got some Midwest wonders and even some Southern charmers in the mix as well. Looking for some native plants that please the local ecology and look beautiful doing it? We’ve got you covered on this latest episode.

Expert guest: Brent Horvath is the owner of and head plant breeder/developer at Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, a wholesale nursery in Hebron, Illinois.

Danielle’s Plants

Northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin, Zones 4-9)

Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium, Zones 2-8)

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum, Zones 4-9)

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia, Zones 3-9)

Carol’s Plants

Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum, Zones 4-9)

Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea, Zones 3-8)

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia, Zones 5-9)

‘Iron Butterfly’ ironweed (Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly', Zones 4-9)

Expert’s Plants

Eastern bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana and cvs., Zones 3-9)

Threadleaf bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii and cvs., Zones 5-8)

Ozark bluestar (Amsonia illustris and cvs., Zones 5-9)

Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium and cvs., Zones 3-10)