Let's Argue About Plants

Raise your hand if seasonal affective disorder has set in for you. Yep, us too. Because the skies are grey and the landscape is mostly brown in many areas of the country, we decided that today’s episode would be geared towards offering a glimmer of hope. We’re talking about plants that put on a show in the last gasps of winter and first few weeks of spring. Just when you think that the garden is never going to look good again, these unsung heroes show up to give us all a little cheer. We have trees, spring ephemerals and even a few lesser-known North American natives that not only make us happy, but help support the earliest pollinators. Those living in more Southern locales will delight in our expert chiming in from Texas to talk about what gardeners in warmer climes have to look forward to in just a few short days. Expert guest: Jared Barnes, Ph.D., is an associate professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.   Danielle’s Plants Red trillium (Trillium erectum, Zone

For many gardeners, sharing a love of plants with family and friends adds another layer of enjoyment to a very fulfilling pastime. In this episode, Danielle, Carol, and expert guest Catharine Cooke explore plants that have special meaning or associations with their loved ones. Whether it is a dogwood that provides seedlings to share with others, a native orchid that is worth a long hike to see growing in the wild, a buttery colored rose, or “that gangly plant by the stone wall” that Danielle’s husband especially likes, these plants will surely get you thinking about the memories, stories, and connections that make some of the plants in your garden meaningful to you. Expert guest: Catharine Cooke is a landscape designer and co-owner of Spring Lake Garden Design in Sherman, Connecticut. You can read some of Catharine’s past articles here: https://www.finegardening.com/author/catharine-cooke.   Danielle’s Plants Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa, Zones 5-8) Siberian iris (Iris sibirica, Zones 4–9) Koreanspice viburnum

Much like the United States Postal Service, these plants will not let rain, nor sleet, nor driving snow stop them from pulling through the worst winter weather imaginable.  It can be hard to find plants that will look two months of drying winds in the eyes and laugh—or sit in a frozen puddle for 4 months and not rot. We decided to sing the praises of those perennials and woodies that will take whatever January, February and March have to doll out and come out on the other side, unscathed.  Tune in to this epside to learn about plants that truly are up to the challenge of taking winter’s worst on the chin.   Expert guest: May Ann Newcomer is a native Idahoan who gardens, scouts gardens, and writes about gardening in the Intermountain West.   Danielle’s Plants 'Ninja Stars' epimedium (Epimedium 'Ninja Stars', Zones 4-9)  Leatherleaf viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum, Zones 5-8)  'Blue Chip' juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip’, Zones 3-9)  ‘Biokovo’ hardy geranium (Geranium cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’, Z

The winter blues have certainly set in around here. But thankfully we have a few plants outside that seemed to have saved their best for last. Today Carol and Danielle are talking about Winter Stunners—trees, shrubs, and even a subshrub that look so gorgeous in January and February, you’ll forget that technically it’s the “off-season.”  Whether your winter is mild and wet, cold and dry, or you live where it snows seemingly every day, we’ve got some options that will help make the landscape seem vibrant. Expert guest: Michelle Provaznik is the chief executive officer of American Public Gardens Association. She lives and gardens in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Danielle’s Plants 'Wintergold' white fir (Abies concolor 'Wintergold', Zones 3-8)  'Goldilocks’ Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora 'Goldilocks’, Zones 5-7)  Blue deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara cv., Zones 6b-9)  ‘Divinely Blue’ or ‘Feelin’ Blue’  Coral bark maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku', Zones 5-9)   Carol’s Plants American beech (Fagus grandifolia, Zones

Flowers and foliage get most of the fanfare, but a plant with eye-catching seed heads will add interest for weeks or even months after its bloom time is over. The textures and shapes of these seed-bearing structures are delightfully diverse, ranging from alliums’ showy starbursts to plump peony pods and the feathery tassels of clematis. Our hosts and expert guest will share some favorite selections that look great after they go to seed. Expert guest: Amanda Thomsen is a horticulturist, garden designer, and author based in suburban Chicago.   Danielle’s Plants 'Purple Sensation' allium (Allium 'Purple Sensation', Zones 3-9)  'Kopper Kettle' Itoh peony (Paeonia 'Kopper Kettle', Zones 3-8)  'Goldsturm' black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm', Zones 3-9)  Baptisia (Baptisia australis, Zones 3-9)    Carol’s Plants ‘Strawberry Fields’ gomphrena (Gomphrena haageana ‘Strawberry Fields’, Zones 9-11) Tibetan clematis (Clematis tibetana, Zones 6-9) Kamchatka sedum (Sedum kamptschaticum, Zones

It doesn’t matter whether we’ve been naughty (Danielle) or nice (Carol) this year—we’re still going ahead and adding plenty of plants to our wish lists. We’re talking about trees that we’ve had our eyes on for months and a perennial that shines in spring, summer, and light up electric yellow in fall. Many of these plants will be new to nurseries this coming spring, while others have been around a bit longer. If you’re wondering what plants the hosts of a podcast all about plants dream and drool over, tune in today. Because visions of sugarplums don’t dance through our heads…but visions of coneflowers do! Expert guest: Laura Trowbridge is a garden designer based in Peterborough, New Hampshire. You can read her article from issue 177 here: https://www.finegardening.com/article/how-to-use-annuals-in-your-garden   Danielle’s Plants ‘Lady Sunshine’ dove tree (Davidia involucrata ‘Lady Sunshine’, Zones: 6–8)  Magical® Moonlight button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Kolmoon', Zones 5-9)  'Stained Glass' liverleaf

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, not because it’s the holidays, because it’s the annual Q & A episode here on Let’s Argue About Plants. When we put a call out each year asking you, our faithful listeners, to send us your most pressing questions about plants and gardening, we never know what to expect. But boy did you deliver this time! We had so many questions roll in that we had to create a spreadsheet just to keep track. In today’s episode we’ll answer as many of those queries as possible, and in some cases, reach out to our colleagues in horticulture to respond (because let’s face it, we don’t know everything). Tune in to see if your question—or a question similar to yours—is answered and what we had to say about cottage gardens and whether or not you may need therapy because of a plant addiction. Expert guest: Award-winning landscape designer Jay Sifford is the owner of a design firm located in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is an author for Fine Gardening magazine with a new feature out i

Depending on where you live in North America, fall in the garden can bring anything from a flood of vibrant color to just the slightest hint of a new hue. Here in New England, we’re pretty lucky to get an explosion of autumnal colors most years. But today we decided to talk about those plants (trees, shrubs, perennials, and yes—even an annual) that can be counted on to express THE most shocking color when the temps cool down, regardless of geographic location. We realize that some of you live in warmer climes, so we have included a few fall-bloomers that will put on a show into Zone 9, as well. If seasonal depression has started to set in, beat back those impending winter-blues by listening to this episode and then head to the nursery to pick up some fall stunners—it’s not too late! Expert guest: John Forti is the executive director of Bedrock Gardens in Lee, New Hampshire and author of The Heirloom Gardener: Traditional Plants and Skills for the Modern World. He has previously directed gardens for Plimoth Pl

They're creepy and they're kooky. Mysterious and spooky. They're all together ooky. Nope, it’s not the Adam’s Family, it’s the array of wicked plants on today’s episode. It’s Halloween season so we’ll be talking about an assortment of plants that are spiky, darkly pigmented, stinky, or perhaps even the most wicked of all: invasive. But don’t think every perennial or tree on this episode is unworthy of a spot in your garden, some are actually quite lovely landscape specimens. Can a plant truly be frightening? Sure it can—just ask Seymour Krelborn. For further reading on wicked plants, check out this book by Amy Stewart. Expert guest: Christine Alexander is the digital content editor for FineGardening.com.   Danielle’s Plants ‘Sasaba’ holly tea olive (Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Sasaba’, Zones 6b-10)  Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum, Zones 4-9)  Wingthorn rose (Rosa sericea spp. pteracantha, Zones 5-9)    Carol’s Plants Common dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum, Zones 4-8) 'Barker's Variety' monk’s hood (Aconitu

We very pleased to bring you a special episode of Let’s Argue About Plants today, featuring an interview with Douglas Tallamy, PhD. Several months ago, Christine Alexander, digital content manager for FineGardening.com, sat down with the famed professor of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware to discuss how plants can save our planet. Tallamy has spent his life’s work researching the impact of nonnative plant species on the environment with his fieldwork playing a critical role in solving the mystery of the plummeting insect and bird populations seen over the past 50 years. Despite the seemingly larger-than-life problems we face, Tallamy insists there are ways average gardeners can help save our ecosystems. Within the interview we get answers to the questions gardeners want to know like, “Should we be planting only native plants?” And “What are keystone species and why should I be filling my landscape with them?” Tallamy’s message is sometimes misconstrued, especially when it comes to

What’s not to love about sedums? They’re drought-tolerant, they attract pollinators, and they flower later in the season when not much else is going on in the garden. But they also have their drawbacks—namely a proclivity to splay open (we’re looking at you Autumn Joy) and look rather awful in some cases. But rest assured that today we’re talking about sedums that maintain a compact habit (whether they’re an upright or ground cover type), still sport gorgeous flowers, and thrive in terrible conditions. If you have full sun, lean soil, and hate plants than need a lot of pampering, then this episode is for you.  Expert testimony: Sandy McDougle is the founder and owner of Sandy’s Plants in in Mechanicsville, Virginia.   Danielle’s Plants 'Boogie Woogie' sedum (Sedum ‘Boogie Woogie’, Zones 3-9)  'Night Light' sedum (Sedum 'Night Light', Zones 3-9)  'Plum Dazzled' sedum (Sedum rupestre ‘Plum Dazzled’, Zones 4-9)  ‘Carl’ sedum (Hylotelephium telephium ‘Carl’, Zones 3-9)    Carol’s Plants ‘Matrona’ sedum (Hylotelep

What gardener doesn’t like something a bit out-of-the ordinary, right? Especially when it’s a plant that puts on a serious show as the final curtain call is happening. Today we highlight some of our favorite unusual fall perennials, options that are interesting cultivars of a genus you may know, and weird oddballs you’ve likely never heard of. Just a heads up that we may have cheated a teeny, tiny bit and thrown in a shrub or even a tender perennial to keep you on your toes. Regardless the plants you’ll hear about on this episode are all exceptional autumnal stars that will stop garden visitors in the tracks to ask, “What on earth is that?” Expert testimony: Matt Mattus is the author of two books: Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening and Mastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening. He gardens in Worcester, Massachusetts.   Danielle’s Plants ‘Snow Fairy’ blue mist shrub (Caryopteris divaricata 'Snow Fairy', Zones 6-9) ‘Lady in Black’ calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum ‘Lady in Black’, Zones 3-8) ‘Golden A

Nearly everyone can grow tropical plants outdoors during the summer months, but when the first frosts are forecasted gardeners in colder climates know there will be some tough decisions ahead. Which plants will be moved to those coveted spots by a south-facing window for winter? Is it worth the trouble to dig dahlia tubers and overwinter them, or should you just start over from scratch with newer, prettier varieties next year? Should you (once again) convince your significant other to don oven mitts, help you relocate your cherished collection of agaves indoors, and cohabitate with those dangerously spiky beauties until spring? OK, that last question might only be on Danielle’s mind, but tune in to this episode to learn about the many ways our hosts have found to get their favorite tender plants through the coldest months, and why it is worth the effort. Expert testimony: Chloë Bowers is a professional gardener and landscape designer based in Newtown, Connecticut.   Danielle’s Plants ‘Escargot’ rex begonia (B

They’re tough, they’re hardy, they thrive in almost any location. So, why don’t we love them? Give this episode a listen to hear about plants that have a ton of good attributes, but just can’t bring ourselves to draw a heart around them. It’s easy to ask gardeners what plants they hate—we all have long lists of inferior perennials, trees, and shrubs that are weak or have unruly habits making them deserving of our ire. But, what about those plants that haven’t done anything to get themselves “do not buy list?” Turns out Carol and Danielle aren’t the only ones with these complicated feelings, today’s expert has similar thoughts.   Expert testimony: Andy Pulte is a faculty member of the plant sciences department at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.   Danielle’s Plants 'Peachie's Pick' Stokes’ aster (Stokesia laevis 'Peachie's Pick', Zones 5-9) ‘Persian Ruby’ daylily (Hemerocallis 'Persian Ruby', Zones 3-9) Veronica (Veronica spicata and cvs., Zones 3-8) Blue rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'

We all know and love parsley, sage rosemary, and thyme. And then there’s sweet basil which is perhaps the queen of all the herbs. But what about those herbs that are just as tasty—or attractive—but don’t get the same accolades? For those unsung heroes of the herb garden, we put together this episode. You’ll hear about a deliciously spicy lemon basil, an elegant edible flower with brilliant orange blooms, and a marigold that resembles a mint. There are a mix of herbs grown for ornamental and edible purposes and some that can be put firmly in both those categories. Looking to spice up your garden with something a bit out-of-the-ordinary? Then give this latest episode a listen.   Expert testimony: Sue Goetz, author of A Taste for Herbs and Complete Container Herb Gardening, is a garden designer and garden coach based in Washington state.

According to NASA Earth Observatory, one-third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020 and 2021 was much the same. This pattern of extended dry weather is sadly becoming more and more of the norm. We recently did a feature in Fine Gardening magazine highlighting a series of drought tolerant woody plants from around the country in our regional pages and that got Carol and Danielle thinking about which trees and shrubs are their favorite water-wise selections. Listen to today’s episode for ideas on these backbone plants that won’t require much, if any, intervention from the hose. Special guest: Amy Galloway is a horticulturist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.

The original title of this episode was, Big and Bold Plants for the Back of the Border. But between the length and the tongue-twister alliteration, we shorted it a bit for promotional purposes. However, on today’s program you’ll hear all about plants that really stand out in the last row of the garden choir. These perennials and shrubs are tall, yes. But they have so much more going for them than simply their towering presence. The featured plants offer a grounding and bold backdrop for your garden beds, but don’t flop all over the place. Some have excellent texture, others bodacious blooms, and a few even provide that beefiness during all four seasons. If you’re looking for something to enhance—not just fill in—the back of the border, give this episode a listen. Special guest: Courtney Olander, landscape designer from Seattle, Washington.

When late May and June hits, we can’t help wandering out into the garden with a pair of shears in hand. Bringing fresh flowers into the house seems like a seasonal rite of passage for most gardeners (at least those that don’t have allergies). But it can be a hard to cut those precious blooms and take them away from the landscape. That’s why today we’re talking about plants (perennials, annuals, and even shrubs) that we grow specifically for their flower-power. These options provide plenty of blooms for the garden AND the vase, and that’s why they’re our favorites. We span the color spectrum as well, with recommendations for every hue imaginable. And, we even have several selections that are deliciously fragrant. If you’re looking to add some cutting garden oomph to your beds and borders, give this episode a listen.   Special guest: Christine  Alexander, digital content editor for Fine Gardening.com

Is there anything ground covers can’t do? They are useful in problem areas like steep slopes, under trees and shrubs, and in spaces that need erosion control. They also reduce maintenance by enveloping areas that would ordinarily need a boatload of mulch to keep weeds at bay. Now, not all ground covers play nice. Some species will not only cover bare ground, but they will choke out neighboring plants. But that’s not the plants we’re talking about today. We’re focusing on ground covers that will spread out thickly, but politely, and smother out any potential weeds in the process. We discuss options for sun, shade, and even drought tolerant selections for those truly hellish spots. And in case you think we’re too East Coast centric, today’s expert calls in from California to offer up some plants that thrive in the Western half of the country. Expert testimony: Fionuala Campion is the owner and manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma, California.

Always give a gift that you yourself would like to receive. That’s excellent advice when it comes to life-- and as gardeners, we can extend that sentiment to giving plants as gifts. Ask yourself: what plants would I like to get as a gift? We had a lot of fun on today’s episode, imagining the scenarios in which we’d give our friends, neighbors, or even strangers particular plants that would convey our feelings of happiness, sympathy, or just pure joy. Need a wedding present that’s truly unique this season? Well give a listen to our suggestion for a perfect small tree that will grow right along with the love that the couple has for one another. OK, we promise, the other suggestions aren’t nearly as sappy.   Special guest: Scott Endres is a designer and horticulturist at Tangletown Gardens in Minneapolis.