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Worth Knowing with Bonnie Habyan

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If you like a real-life story that features grit, grace, and a lot of gumption, then you’re in the right place. Get ready to hear some courageous women talk about how pivotal, teachable “ah-ha” moments have reshaped their confidence and delivered opportunities they never imagined. It didnt happen by chance of course. No sir ree. They figured out new, sometimes uncomfortable ways, to put themselves out there in a way that shouts they get it—they are absolutely 100% worth knowing. You’ll hear intimate stories with actionable takeaways and some very secret sauce. Everyone has an important story worth knowing. And you know what? The world needs it, and you deserve it.

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Episode 171: Deer-resistant Plants

about a year ago 1:11:04

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Content provided by Christine Alexander and Fine Gardening Magazine. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Christine Alexander and Fine Gardening Magazine or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

One deer can do major landscape damage overnight, and if a herd regularly visits your garden you may feel like giving up. Although almost no plant is completely safe if the herbivores are hungry enough, gardeners facing extreme deer pressure aren’t powerless. Incorporating plants with “nasty” characteristics like strong smells, prickly textures, or even toxicity is one easy way to encourage those hooved hordes to browse elsewhere. In this episode, Danielle and Carol share some of the plants that have remained unscathed in their backyards, and expert Bonni Engelhardt weighs in with some of her own go-to selections.

Expert: Bonni Engelhardt is a landscape designer and consultant based in southwestern Oregon. You can read about more of her deer-resistant plant recommendations in this article.

… continue reading

119 episodes

#Lifestyle #Containerplants #Foliage #Gardening #Landscapeplants #Vegetablegardening #Arts #Hobbies #Graphic Design #Plants #Christine Alexander #Fine Gardening Magazine #Annual #Edible #Rose #Perennial

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Episode 171: Deer-resistant Plants

Let's Argue About Plants

18 subscribers

published about a year ago

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MP3•Episode home

Content provided by Christine Alexander and Fine Gardening Magazine. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Christine Alexander and Fine Gardening Magazine or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

One deer can do major landscape damage overnight, and if a herd regularly visits your garden you may feel like giving up. Although almost no plant is completely safe if the herbivores are hungry enough, gardeners facing extreme deer pressure aren’t powerless. Incorporating plants with “nasty” characteristics like strong smells, prickly textures, or even toxicity is one easy way to encourage those hooved hordes to browse elsewhere. In this episode, Danielle and Carol share some of the plants that have remained unscathed in their backyards, and expert Bonni Engelhardt weighs in with some of her own go-to selections.

Expert: Bonni Engelhardt is a landscape designer and consultant based in southwestern Oregon. You can read about more of her deer-resistant plant recommendations in this article.

… continue reading

119 episodes

#Lifestyle #Containerplants #Foliage #Gardening #Landscapeplants #Vegetablegardening #Arts #Hobbies #Graphic Design #Plants #Christine Alexander #Fine Gardening Magazine #Annual #Edible #Rose #Perennial

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Let's Argue About Plants

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Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage 58:24

5 weeks ago58:24

58:24

In this episode, we’re turning up the drama—garden drama, that is! We’re talking all about plants with big, bold foliage that steal the show and bring serious texture and presence to your landscape. Whether you're designing a tropical-feel patio or adding contrast to a woodland border, these leafy giants know how to make a statement. We'll cover our favorite varieties, tips for placement and care, and how to use them effectively in garden design. If you're ready to go big and leafy, this episode is for you! P.S. We promised not to sing...we’ll leave that to Sir Mixalot. Expert: Dr. Andy Pulte is a plant sciences faculty member at University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is also a contributing editor.…

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Episode 179: Most Beautiful Flowers 58:01

9 weeks ago58:01

58:01

If your pulse quickens at the sight of a dogwood or peony in full bloom, this is the episode for you. Although a restrained, foliage-focused design is always a safe bet, fabulous floral textures and colors offer a level of excitement that leaves alone can’t provide. For many of us, a love of flowers was the gateway that brought us to gardening. Follow along as Danielle, Carol, and expert guest Wambui Ippolito discuss some of the beautiful blooms that make their hearts sing. Expert: Wambui Ippolito is an award-winning landscape designer, horticulturist, and author based in New York City. Danielle's Plants ‘Bowl of Beauty’ peony ( Paeonia lactiflora Bowl of Beauty’, Zones 4-9) Japanese stewartia ( Stewartia pseudocamellia , Zones 5-8) ‘Mistral Bordeaux’ poppy anemone ( Anemone coronaria ‘Mistral Bordeaux’, Zones 8-10) Pink flowering dogwood ( Cornus florida f. rubra , Zones 5-8) Carol's Plants ‘Storm Cloud’ blue star ( Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’, Zones 4-9) ‘Orange Wonder’ snapdragon ( Antirrhinum majus , Zones 7-10) Walk in Beauty™ Watermelon Man prickly pear ( Opuntia ‘OP099’, Zones 4-9) ‘Fascination’ and ‘Adoration’ Culver’s root ( Veronicastrum virginicum cvs., Zones 3-8) Expert’s Plants Wild mullein ( Vebascum roripifolium , Zones 5-8) Threadleaf bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii, Zones 5-8) ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia ( Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’, Zones 7-9)…

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Episode 178: Best Interview Moments from Let’s Argue About Plants 30:37

10 weeks ago30:37

30:37

While the Fine Gardening team is busy exploring the Philadelphia Flower Show, we’re taking a moment to look back at some of the most insightful and inspiring conversations we’ve had on Let’s Argue About Plants over the past year. In this special episode, we’re revisiting standout moments from interviews with horticulturists, garden designers, and educators who have shaped the way we garden. You’ll hear from Stacie Crooks , a self-taught garden designer from Seattle, as she shares how she got her start in horticulture. Jay Sifford , a North Carolina-based designer, discusses his artistic influences and how pop culture can inspire transcendent garden spaces. Irvin Etienne , a public horticulturist at Newfields in Indianapolis, reflects on his farm upbringing and how it shaped his passion for plants. And Dr. Jared Barnes , an associate professor at Stephen F. Austin State University, talks about his journey into horticultural education and the creation of a unique campus botanical garden called The Plantery . Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, these expert insights are sure to inspire your next project. Tune in to hear some of our favorite moments.…

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Episode 177: Seeds We’re Starting This Year 1:07:39

13 weeks ago1:07:39

1:07:39

As we recorded this episode, snow was gently falling outside our windows here in New England. But that isn't depressing for us—it simply means it’s time to start our seeds! Today we are joined by digital editor Christine, and we are talking all about which seeds we’re starting this year and why. There’s an assortment of edibles and flowers on our lists, and we discuss the best practices for getting them to germinate. Do all seeds need a heat mat? Or is it a good idea to pop your packets of seeds in the freezer before sowing them into a soil block? Get the answers to these pressing questions (and find out which zinnia had Danielle and Carol screaming with delight) in this pre-spring conversation. Expert: Christine Alexander is the digital content editor at Fine Gardening.…

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Episode 176: Plants with Personality with Amanda Thomsen 39:00

15 weeks ago39:00

39:00

Amanda Thomsen is a landscape designer, project manager, and garden writer. Recently, she opened Aster Gardens in Lemont, Illinois. This neighborhood boutique offers plants, home décor, classes, and events. Amanda brings an irreverent, punk-rock spirit to her horticultural work, so she is the perfect person to help adventurous gardeners to explore some plants with personality. Unusual herbs, hardy cacti, and a foxglove that is not your usual cottage garden suspect all make appearances in this fun episode. Here's Amanda’s personality-packed plant list: 1. Lovage (Levisticum officinale, Zones 4–8) 2. Rozanne geranium (Geranium ‘Gerwat’, Zones 5–8) 3. Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium, Zones 3–8) 4. Fernleaf peony (Paeonia tenuifolia, Zones 4–8) 5. Eastern prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa, Zones 4–9) 6. Rusty foxglove (Digitalis ferruginea, Zones 4–8) 7. ‘Forelock’ ornamental onion (Allium ‘Forelock’, Zones 4–8) 8. Bear’s breeches (Acanthus spinosus, Zones 5–9)…

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Episode 175: Great Houseplants 1:07:07

17 weeks ago1:07:07

1:07:07

Potted plants will bring life and positive energy into any room, and studies have shown that having them nearby can relieve stress, boost creativity, and improve focus. In winter, when the weather is not good for outdoor gardening, it is particularly satisfying when we can help the living gems on our windowsills to thrive and look their best. In this episode Danielle and Carol chat with their friend and colleague, Christine Alexander, about the houseplants they consider to be truly worthy of a spot indoors. Expert: Christine Alexander is the digital content editor at Fine Gardening.…

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Episode 174: Plant Evaluation with Sam Hoadley and Richard Hawke 40:21

19 weeks ago40:21

40:21

Catalogue descriptions for new plants may grab our attention, but usually provide little useful information about how these up-and-coming cultivars will perform in your garden. Fortunately, comparative trials like those conducted at Chicago Botanic Garden and Mt. Cuba Center put plants to the test, side-by-side, under typical garden conditions. In this episode, Richard Hawke and Sam Hoadley delve into a few of the similarities and differences between their trial programs. They compare notes, trade stories, and dispel a few misconceptions as they prepare for the talk they will give on Thurday, March 6th, 2025 as part of the Know to Grow lecture series at the Philadelphia Flower Show . See more by going to the show notes at https://www.finegardening.com/podcast…

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Episode 173: Beneficial Host Plants 1:04:54

21 weeks ago1:04:54

1:04:54

This week we might rename the show Pollinator Haven, the podcast where we dig into the vibrant world of pollinators and the plants that sustain them! Well, probably not, but we will be diving into the essential role host plants play in supporting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. These are species that are critical in providing places for insects to lay their eggs and food for hungry larvae. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you'll discover how choosing the right plants can turn your yard, balcony, or community space into a thriving ecosystem. Expert: Cheyenne Wine works to promote biodiversity and ecological resilience with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more of Cheyenne’s plant picks, check out this recent Southeast regional page .…

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Episode 172: Focal Points with Susan Morrison 43:31

23 weeks ago43:31

43:31

Susan Morrison , owner and principal designer at Creative Exteriors Landscape Design , has created hundreds of gardens in California’s East Bay area. Her designs incorporate comfortable outdoor rooms into landscapes of all sizes, from hillside estates to postage-stamp front yards. Susan’s home garden features thoughtfully arranged spaces for relaxing and entertaining enfolded in an artful, water-wise plant palette. Focal point plants in key locations draw the eye through the landscape, inviting visitors to explore. In this episode, Susan describes her thought process for siting focal point plants, and shares some of the eye-catching cultivars she uses most often.…

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Episode 171: Deer-resistant Plants 1:11:04

26 weeks ago1:11:04

1:11:04

One deer can do major landscape damage overnight, and if a herd regularly visits your garden you may feel like giving up. Although almost no plant is completely safe if the herbivores are hungry enough, gardeners facing extreme deer pressure aren’t powerless. Incorporating plants with “nasty” characteristics like strong smells, prickly textures, or even toxicity is one easy way to encourage those hooved hordes to browse elsewhere. In this episode, Danielle and Carol share some of the plants that have remained unscathed in their backyards, and expert Bonni Engelhardt weighs in with some of her own go-to selections. Expert: Bonni Engelhardt is a landscape designer and consultant based in southwestern Oregon. You can read about more of her deer-resistant plant recommendations in this article .…

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Episode 170: High-Impact Native Plants with Uli Lorimer 46:46

28 weeks ago46:46

46:46

Ulrich Lorimer is the director of the Native Plant Tust in Framingham, MA, a conservation organization that manages Garden in the Woods . He has been a longtime advocate for cultivating native plants in both public and private gardens to help offset habitat loss. In this episode, he talks about some outstanding native species that have an outsized impact when planted in a garden setting. He also digs into the nitty-gritty of designing with regionally adapted plants, gardening in a changing climate, and integrating native plants into our backyard ecosystems.…

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Episode 169: Great Foundation Plants 1:10:42

30 weeks ago1:10:42

1:10:42

When we say “foundation plants” you might think we’re talking about plants that are the backbones of our beds and borders. But that’s not what we mean in this instance. Today we’re discussing plants that are perfect for planting around your home’s foundation. These selections need to adhere to a certain set of requirements: they can't get too big; they can't be too small; they can’t have aggressive root systems; they must have multiple seasons of interest. If that sounds like the holy grail of plants, it is! But luck for you we’ve culled together a dynamic assortment of options for all areas of the country. So, if you're sick of looking at that ugly 2-foot expanse of concrete at the foot of your home listen up, because we’re going to help you cover it up in style. Expert: Lifelong horticulturist Tony Fulmer is the retired chief horticulture officer for Chalet, a specialty nursery in Wilmette, Illinois.…

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Episode 168: Rewind – Design Rules of Thumb with Stacie Crooks 53:40

32 weeks ago53:40

53:40

Seattle-based garden designer Stacie Crooks creates beautiful, ecologically friendly, low-maintenance gardens throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her most recent article in the December 2024 issue of Fine Gardening magazine tackles the challenges of integrating a vibrant, plant-focused garden into a cookie-cutter neighborhood developed during the post-World War II building boom. To coincide with the publication of the article, we’re revisiting this engaging interview where Stacie covers some of the most valuable insights she has gained through years of experience. Anyone can use Stacie’s rules of thumb to make their own outdoor spaces more welcoming and easier to maintain.…

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Episode 167: Pollinator Plants 1:06:11

35 weeks ago1:06:11

1:06:11

Great options for welcoming winged visitors to your garden Hardly an episode goes by where we don't mention a pollinator plant. But we have never dedicated an entire episode to the topic, which in our minds is bananas! So today we’re fixing that track record and discussing 11 of our favorite pollinator plants. Native plant expert Cheyenne Wine joins us from Rare Roots Nursery in Virginia to add her top picks to the conversation, as well. Listen now to find trees, shrubs, perennials, and even some bulbs to plant if you’re interested in turning your garden into an insect party buzzing with activity! Expert: Cheyenne Wine is a writer and photographer for Rare Roots nursery in Mechanicsville, Virginia.…

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Episode 166: Gardening for the Greater Good with Andrew Bunting 35:38

37 weeks ago35:38

35:38

Andrew Bunting is vice president of horticulture at Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), where he promotes gardening for the greater good . PHS supports healthier neighborhoods through horticulture by cleaning and greening vacant lots, planting and maintaining street trees, partnering with community gardeners to share resources and conserve productive open space, and demonstrating ecologically sound gardening practices in public gardens throughout the greater Philadelphia area. Andrew’s extensive public gardening career includes time spent at Chicago Botanic Garden , Chanticleer , and 27 years at the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College . His Fine Gardening articles have covered topics like autumn-flowering trees , shrubs for shade , and selecting trees for structure . In this episode, he discusses the evolution of his home garden, the lessons learned from the many gardens his hands have touched, and the potential for making our shared landscapes more sustainable and inclusive.…

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Episode 165: Not Your Typical Ground Covers 56:43

40 weeks ago56:43

56:43

The best ground covers are multi-purpose workhorses, suppressing weeds, preventing soil erosion, and adding another level of interest to garden beds. Naturally, we’d prefer them not to be invasive, and to look good over a long season. But why do so many gardeners seem to fall back on the same few choices? In this episode, Danielle, Carol, and expert guest Amanda Thomsen cover new ground in their quest to expand the definition of what a ground cover can be. Whether it’s a tough but underused North American native, a cheeky little annual, or an unusual self-seeding edible, we hope you will find something unexpected but garden-worthy in this episode. Expert: Amanda Thomsen is the author of Kiss My Aster: A Graphic Guide to Creating a Fantastic Yard Totally Tailored to You and owner of the Aster Gardens plant shop in Lemont, Illinois.…

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Episode 164: The Joys of Plant Exploration with Mark Weathington 50:08

42 weeks ago50:08

50:08

Mark Weathington is the director of the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina and author of Gardening in the South: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide . Mark is a frequent FG contributor, covering a wide range of topics including magnolias , redbuds , compact shrubs , and unexpected replacements for overused plants . Some of Mark’s most fascinating work at the arboretum has involved his extensive travel to collect, preserve, and distribute plants from around the world. In this episode he discusses the unexpected path that led to a career in horticulture and the international collaborations that are helping to conserve endangered species and bring diversity to American landscapes.…

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Episode 163: Tough As Nails Plants 57:21

44 weeks ago57:21

57:21

It’s late-July and we’re officially HOT. And so are our gardens. Now is the time that we start to truly sit up and take notice of the plants that seem to be gliding through summer’s worst without skipping a beat. Today’s episode pays tribute to all those perennials and shrubs that take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. We found some stars that thrive in heat, lean soil, and even some selections for the most dreaded of conditions: dry shade. If these plants do well in awful situations, think how much better they might do in slightly better ones? Expert: Kim Toscano is a horticulturalist, entomologist, garden designer, writer, and graphic designer. She previously hosted Oklahoma Gardening, a weekly PBS television program produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.…

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Episode 162: Cultivating Connections with the Next Generation with Jared Barnes 37:48

46 weeks ago37:48

37:48

Jared Barnes is an associate professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he and his students cultivate The Plantery , a botanic garden complete with a native plant trial garden. Jared shares his love of plants with a wider audience through his gardening newsletter and The Plantastic Podcast , and he is also a frequent contributor to Fine Gardening. Recent topics that he has covered for the magazine include plant survival strategies , evaluating how much sunlight or shade a garden bed gets , and propagating plants from cuttings . Listen along as we learn more about what it takes to become a horticulture professor, and how to build an engaged community around a shared love of plants.…

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Episode 161: A Field Trip to the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill 48:17

48 weeks ago48:17

48:17

There’s nothing nicer than being outside on a beautiful late spring day, especially if it means you get a whole day away from your desk. Danielle, Carol, and digital editor Christine Alexander recently played hooky from their editorial duties and went on a horticultural adventure at one of New England’s great public gardens. Located in Boylston, Massachusetts, Tower Hill is filled with fun places to explore, including formal gardens, woodland trails lined with native plantings, and two conservatories. After exploring the grounds and chatting about some of the great plants they came across, Danielle and Carol sat down for a chat with Tower Hill’s director of horticulture, Mark Richardson. We hope this episode inspires you to get out and enjoy a field trip to a public garden near you!…

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Episode 160: The RHS Chelsea Flower Show with Annie Guilfoyle 1:11:16

50 weeks ago1:11:16

1:11:16

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to get exclusive access to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show? Well, your dreams have come true because in this exclusive interview we got an all-access pass to THE horticultural event of the year thanks to Annie Guilfoyle, a 2024 judge. Annie is co-founder of Garden Masterclass in the UK and an award wining garden designer who earned a Silver Medal at Cheslea years ago for her innovative landscape design. Annie is just back from the show this year and shares details from her favorite gardens, interesting new plants that caught her attention, and even some celebrity gossip from those stars that were in attendance at the show. (Spoiler alert: she did not see Lady Whistledown at the Bridgerton -themed garden). We discussed how native plants and sustainable practices played a role in this year’s event and talk about themes of water conservation and hardscape upcycling. Looking to attend the show next year? Then you’re in luck because Annie shares some tip sand tricks for navigating the show grounds and insights on how to make the most of your visit. Who needs Monty Don when you’ve got Annie Guilfoyle? Not us!…

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Episode 159: Plants that Take Sun and Shade 55:40

1 year ago55:40

55:40

Chances are, you’ve got mixed conditions in your garden. One area might be in full sun, while another spot a bit farther away is in full shade. Even beds that have the same exposure on paper may have larger plants that shade out the ground below. This presents a challenge for developing a cohesive look within a landscape. As gardeners, we’ve been taught that repetition is one of the tenets of good garden design. But how can one repeat groupings of a plant throughout a border that stretches from bright light to dappled shade? The answer is by utilizing plants that are highly adaptable and will thrive in both sun and shade. In today’s episode we’re singing the praises of these flexible species. They are invaluable assets to the landscape and, as a bonus, will hold their own when the light conditions of a garden inevitably change over time. Amy Galloway is a horticulturist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.…

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Episode 158: Plants That Earn Their Keep with Irvin Etienne 1:01:33

1 year ago1:01:33

1:01:33

Irvin Etienne is the curator of herbaceous plants and seasonal garden design at Newfields, a 152-acre campus with art galleries, performance spaces, world-class public gardens, and a nature park in Indianapolis. Irvin has been a frequent contributor to Fine Gardening, sharing his horticultural expertise through informative articles like A Bright Idea for Spring Containers , Big and Bold Plants for the Back of the Border , and Bring It In! , a primer on overwintering all kinds of tropical plants. In this episode he delves into the path that brought him to horticulture, the lessons learned from decades of gardening in public, and some of the (many, many) plants that earn their keep in his home garden.…

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Episode 157: Flowering trees for every season 1:05:47

1 year ago1:05:47

1:05:47

Due to their size and expense, gardeners tend to put a lot more thought into the trees they ultimately buy for their landscape. While a perennial might only live for 6 or 7 years, a tree might grace your garden for 50 years or more—outliving the person who so carefully selected it, in fact. Here at Fine Gardening, we feel strongly that trees should look good in more than one season (for all of the reasons above AND because they take up a lot of real estate). Therefore, on today’s episode, we may be highlighting our favorite flowering trees for every season, but these choices have more going for them than just some fleeting blooms. Listen to hear about which trees we’re willing to sacrifice a chunk of our paycheck on and why. Amanda Bennett is vice president of horticulture and collections at Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Georgia.…

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Episode 156: Finding Design Inspiration with Jay Sifford 46:44

1 year ago46:44

46:44

Jay Sifford is an award-winning landscape designer based in North Carolina. Several of his garden designs have been featured in Fine Gardening , including a one-of-a-kind modern meadow garden and a series of beautiful, functional dry creek beds . Jay’s immersive, naturalistic landscape designs are based around four cornerstones: art, magic, story, and horticulture. In this episode, Jay offers insights into the ways that these elements can be incorporated into a truly personal garden space. Jay sees this modern meadow garden as a stylized version of nature where fantasy and reality collide. Grasses and perennials planted in large masses and punctuated with unique conifers give the meadow garden its unique appeal. In winter, evergreens and grasses add structure and interest to the snowy landcape. Another view of the meadow garden at the peak of summer. A dry streambed designed to manage stormwater doubles as a dynamic visual element. Gravel pathways were the perfect solution for this pet-friendly landscape. Every garden design that Jay creates includes a little bit of magic.…

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Episode 155: Deer Resistant Favorites 55:12

1 year ago55:12

55:12

One of the worst sights you can ever see in the garden is a plant that has been browsed by deer . (Sidenote: we don't love the gentle word “browsed” in this instance. A more appropriate term might be “obliterated.”) If the munching is particularly bad, that perennial, tree, or shrub becomes unrecognizable. And in many cases, this can mean instant death to your prized specimen. With deer pressure increasing from coast-to-coast , we decided it’s time to highlight some of our favorite deer-resistant plants. Yes, we’re from deer-ridden New England, but rest assured that we’ve included plants in this episode that will thrive from Texas to Michigan, and everywhere in between. Guest: Karen Chapman is a landscape designer in Duvall, Washington, and the author of Deer-Resistant Design: Fence Free Gardens that Thrive Despite the Deer. Danielle's Plants 'Childhood Sweetheart' hellebore ( Helleborus 'Childhood Sweetheart', Zones 4-9) Winter daphne ( Daphne odora , Zones 7-9) 'Bonfire' euphorbia ( Euphorbia polychroma 'Bonfire', Zones 5-9) Sunshine Blue® blue mist shrub ( Caryopteris incana 'Jason', 5-9) Carol's Plants Hiba arborvitae ( Thujopsis dolobrata 'Variegata’, Zones 5-8) ‘Victoria Blue’ mealycup sage ( Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue', Zones 8-10) Eastern sweetshrub, syn. Carolina allspice ( Calycanthus floridus , Zones 4-9) ‘Gerald Darby’ iris ( Iris × robusta 'Gerald Darby', Zones 4-9) Expert’s Plants Magical® Fantasy weigela ( Weigela florida 'Kolsunn', Zones 4-8) Threadleaf bluestar ( Amsonia hubrichtii , Zones 5-8) 'Whirling Butterflies' gaura ( Gaura lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies', Zones 5-9) 'Goldsturm' black-eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm', Zones 3-9)…

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Episode 154: Putting Plants to the Test with Richard Hawke 1:00:14

1 year ago1:00:14

1:00:14

Richard Hawke is the Director of Ornamental Plant Research at Chicago Botanic Garden , where he oversees comparative evaluations of ornamental plants. The CBG Plant Evaluation Program has included 117 distinct trials over the past four decades, with 26 comparative trials currently underway in three evaluation areas. In 2011, Richard began reporting trial results in Fine Gardening magazine, and has since written dozens of feature articles that can be found by visiting his author page . In this entertaining episode, Richard Hawke discusses his earliest memories of plants and gardening, the education and internships that laid the foundation for his career, and the joys and challenges of developing a world-class plant trial program. He also digs into the day-to-day details of plant evaluation and talks about some trials that yielded surprising results and some that were particular favorites, including evaluations of clematis , baptisias , butterfly bushes , and tender salvias . Richard joined the staff of the Chicago Botanic Garden in the mid-1980s. CBG’s trial of tender salvias identified many vigorous cultivars that do well when grown as annuals. The Chicago Botanic Garden has trialed 198 heucheras since 1995. Find out which cultivars performed better than the classics here. The Chicago Botanic garden was built on a series of islands, and soil conditions are not ideal. The original trial beds were atop a substrate of clay soil compacted by heavy equipment; the water table is very high, and drainage can be problematic. Richard talks about these soil woes, and the solutions that have improved soil structure and drainage in the newest plant evaluation area. The Chicago Botanic Garden was built on a series of islands with heavy clay soil. Field evaluation is a core component of plant trials at Chicago Botanic Garden. The Green Roof Gardens built atop the Plant Conservation Science Center are used to evaluate the suitability of plants for use in green roof assemblies. With 26 trials currently underway, the evaluation areas at the Chicago Botanic Garden are a hub of research activity. Richard now spends much of his time behind a desk, which makes him relish his time in the field even more. The Plant Evaluation Program at Chicago Botanic Garden is one of the largest and most diverse in the nation.…

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Let's Argue About Plants

Let's Argue About Plants podcast artwork

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Episode 153: Compact Plants for Tight Spaces 56:27

1 year ago56:27

56:27

Every gardener wishes they had 25 acres to garden on, right? Well maybe not, but most of us do dream of a healthy amount of ground to build beds and borders to our hearts’ desire. The reality of homeowners today, however, is that land is expensive and typical suburban lots have decreased in size steadily since the 1970s. And smaller lots mean smaller gardens. That isn’t an issue though, if you select plants that are polite and “stay in their lane” as the kids say. On this episode Danielle and Carol talk about compact plants that are prefect for tighter spaces. We’ve got several perennials, one annual, and even a few well-behaved shrubs that made the list. Filling your tiny plot with these beauties will enable you to have a wide variety of colors and textures without sacrificing an enormous amount of precious square footage. Julie Lane Gay lives and gardens in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she previously owned a nursery specializing in climbers and perennials. Danielle's Plants Creeping variegated gardenia ( Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans Variegata', Zones 8-11) 'Prairie Moon' rattlesnake master ( Eryngium yuccifolium 'Prairie Moon', Zones 3-8) Spicy Devil ® ninebark ( Physocarpus opulifolius 'ZLENATALIE', Zones 3-7) 'Jack of Diamonds' brunnera ( Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack of Diamonds', Zones 3-8) Carol's Plants Ivory Halo® dogwood ( Cornus alba 'Bailhalo’, Zones 3-7) ‘Rainbow Bouquet’ dwarf strawflower ( Helichrysum bracteatus ‘Rainbow Bouquet’, annual) Let's Dance Sky View® hydrangea ( Hydrangea macrophylla × serrata 'SMNHSME', Zones 4-9) ‘Summer Beauty' allium ( Allium tanguticum 'Summer Beauty', Zones 4-9) Expert’s Plants 'Brunette' baneberry ( Actaea simplex 'Brunette', Zones 3-8) 'Firepower' heavenly bamboo ( Nandina domestica 'Firepower', Zones 6-9) ‘Adirondack’ crabapple ( Malus 'Adirondack', Zones 4-8) Solitary clematis ( Clematis integrifolia , Zones 4-7)…

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Let's Argue About Plants

Let's Argue About Plants podcast artwork

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Episode 152: Best of LAAP: Best of Our Listener Q & As 1:10:42

1 year ago1:10:42

1:10:42

One of our favorite things to do here on the pod is dig through emails and social media shout outs from our listeners. It is always nice to hear about what problems you may be having in your gardens and to be able to offer advice from our decades of horticultural experience. And we’re lucky to have scores of experts at our fingers tips if we don’t have an answer for a plant suggestion or design fix. These Q&A episodes are some of our favorites, so we decided to revisit an array of your best questions from the past few years in this new Best Of LAAP. The inquiries included advice on planting under trees, attracting hummingbirds, and info about what garden tasks we hate tackling. Tune in to see if one of our favorite questions was yours, or to hear about some solutions to problems that tend to plague us all. Links to all our Q&A episodes: Episode 140 Episode 123 Episode 79 Episode 56…

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Let's Argue About Plants

Let's Argue About Plants podcast artwork

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Episode 151: Underappreciated Plants for Winter Interest 1:01:53

1 year ago1:01:53

1:01:53

During the winter months many plants reveal subtle patterns, fine details, and a new range of colors that help us to see familiar beds and borders with fresh eyes. This is an excellent time to get outside, evaluate your garden’s bones, and make some plans for spring planting. In this episode Danielle, Carol, and their guest will explore some of the plants that fly a bit under the radar in winter months, but certainly deserve more attention. Do you have any of these underappreciated wonders in your landscape? If not, you may want to start digging holes as soon as the ground thaws to ensure that some of these unsung heroes get some well-deserved garden real estate. Will any of these winter beauties make it onto your wish list this year? Jay Sifford is the owner and principal designer at Jay Sifford Garden Design in Charolette, North Carolina. Danielle's Plants Spotted wintergreen ( Chimaphila maculata , Zones 4-8) ‘Peppermint Patty’ bergenia ( Bergenia 'Peppermint Patty', Zones 4-8) Moosewood ( Acer pensylvanicum , Zones 3-7) ‘ReJoyce’ drooping laurel ( Leucothoe axillaris 'ReJoyce', Zones 6-9) Carol's Plants Golden Duke Eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ‘Monjers’, Zones 4–8) American hornbeam ( Carpinus caroliniana , Zones 3b–9) 'Little Heath' pieris ( Pieris japoni ca 'Little Heath’, Zones 5–9) ‘St. Mary’s Broom’ blue spruce ( Picea pungens ‘St. Mary’s Broom’, Zones 2-7) Expert’s Plants American witch hazel ( Hamamelis virginiana , Zones 3-8) 'Shades of Pink' laurustinus ( Viburnum tinus 'Shades of Pink', Zones 7b-10) Blue conifers with assorted ornamental grasses 'Louie’ white pine ( Pinus strobus 'Louie’, Zones 4-9)…

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