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Let's Argue About Plants
Let's Argue About Plants

Let's Argue About Plants

The podcast for people who love plants—but not always the same ones. Brought to you by the editors of Fine Gardening, this fun, informative podcast tackles all things topical in gardening. You’ll listen to the insights (and arguments) of Editor-in-Chief Steve Aitken and Senior Editor Danielle Sherry as they discuss various horticultural subjects on a deeper level. You will also hear from today’s leading horticultural minds who will offer their wisdom and opinions about what you might want to grow in your garden. We guarantee you’ll be entertained and feel like a better gardener.

Available Episodes 10

Isn’t every plant great in a group? Well, the answer is no. Some plants are too vigorous in their growth habits to share the stage, while others are better if put on a pedestal all their own (i.e. the focal point plants of the landscape). Today’s episode we talk about plants that are great in masses—that is to say—in groups of three or more. We have options for shade, choices for sun, and selections for those in-between exposures situations. We’ll also feature some great plants that we’ve seen grouped to perfection in gardens featured in Fine Gardening. And you don’t have to be a millionaire to group plants. Many of our suggestions are easily divided after just a year or two, providing you with multiple plants for the price of just one.

Expert guest:  Daniel Robarts is a horticulturist at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine.

Danielle's Plants

'Kitten Around' catmint (Nepeta faassenii 'Kitten Around', Zones 3-8)

‘All Gold’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold', Zones 5-9)

'Kobold' liatris (Liatris spicata 'Kobold', Zones 3-8)

Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens and cvs., Zones 3-9)

 

Carol's Plants

‘Galaxy Blue’ agapanthus (Agapanthus ‘Galaxy Blue’, Zones 6-10)

Feather Falls™ sedge (Carex 'ET CRX01', Zones 5-9)

Firefinch™ coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'G0052Y’, Zones 4-8)

Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris, Zones 10-11)

 

Expert’s Plants

‘Millenium’ allium (Allium ‘Millenium’, Zones 5-8)

'Brunette' bugbane (Actaea simplex 'Brunette', Zones 3-8)

'Starry Starry Night' hibiscus (Hibiscus 'Starry Starry Night', Zones 4-9)

Danielle combo #1

'Limelight' panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight', Zones 3-9)

'Sun King' aralia (Aralia cordata 'Sun King', Zones 3-9)

 

Danielle combo #2

'Worcester Gold' blue mist shrub (Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Worcester Gold', Zones 5-9)

'Goldsturm' black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm', Zones 3-9)

 

Carol combo # 1

White Drift® rose (Rosa 'Meizorland', Zones 4-11)

Tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata cvs., Zones 4-8)

 

Carol combo # 2

'Sun King' aralia (Aralia cordata 'Sun King', Zones 3-9)

‘Blackhawks’ big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’, Zones 3–9)

'Dark Knight' blue mist shrub (Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight', Zones 5-9)

 

Expert combo #1

‘Zwartkop’ aeonium (Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’, Zones 9-11)

Ghost plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense, Zones 7-11)

 

Expert combo #2

Tropicanna® canna (Canna indica 'Phasion’, Zones 7-11)

‘Color Guard’ yucca (Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Guard’, Zones 4-10)

Clarity Blue™ dianella (Dianella ‘DP401’, Zones 8-10)

Blue rose hens and chicks (Echeveria imbricata, Zones 9-11)

We’re nearing our 150th episode mark and for us, that has meant a lot of plants discussed. But it’s also meant a lot of great guest appearances. As you know, each episode we ask an expert from the field of horticulture to lend us their brains and weigh-in on some great plant choices for the topic at hand. We’ve had guests who made us laugh, think twice about a much-maligned perennial, or even come to realize that there are far better options out there for our gardens. Who was our funniest guest? The one that made us seriously reconsider our planting choices? Or the one who made us grip the steering wheel with white knuckles (yes—that did actually happen)? Tune in now to find out and listen to our favorite guest segments.

Featured guests:

·       Riz Reyes, a horticulturist and floral designer based in Seattle.

·       Richard Hawke is the director of ornamental plant research at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois.

·       Irvin Etienne is curator of herbaceous plants and seasonal garden design for The Garden at Newfields in Indianapolis.

·       Sabrena Schweyer and her husband, Samuel Salsbury, own and manage Salsbury-Schweyer Inc., a sustainable landscape design and development group based in Akron, Ohio. Read her latest article here: https://www.finegardening.com/article/replace-a-front-lawn-with-a-beautiful-eco-friendly-garden

Irvin Etienne’s Upgraded Classics

Classic: ‘Flamenco’ red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria ‘Flamenco’, Zones 5–9) Photo: David J. Stang, via Wikimedia Commons

Upgrade: ‘Mango Popsicle’ red-hot poker (Kniphofia ‘Mango Popsicle’, Zones 6–9) Photo: Irvin Etienne

Classic: ‘Fireball’ hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus ‘Fireball’, Zones 5–9) Photo: courtesy of David J. Stang, via Wikimedia Commons

Upgrade: ‘Holy Grail’ hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus ‘Holy Grail’, Zones 4–9)

Classic: ‘Storm Cloud’ lily of the Nile (Agapanthus ‘Storm Cloud’, Zones 7b–10) Photo: ©Armitage/Hip Labels, LLC

Upgrade: ‘Galaxy Blue’ lily of the Nile (Agapanthus ‘Galaxy Blue’, Zones 6–10) Photo: Irvin Etienne

Classic: ‘Black Knight’ butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii ‘Black Knight’, Zones 5–9)

Upgrade: ‘Grand Cascade’ butterfly bush (Buddleia ‘Grand Cascade’, Zones 5–10) Photo: Irvin Etienne

Classic: Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin, Zones 6–9) Photo: Simon Garbutt, via Wikimedia Commons

Upgrade: ‘Summer Chocolate’ mimosa (Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’, Zones 6–9)

 

Richard Hawke’s Favorite Vines (original episode #37)

'Guernsey Cream' clematis (Clematis 'Guernsey Cream', Zones 4-9)

Rüütel™ clematis (Clematis 'Kiviruut', Zones 4-9)

'Madame Julia Correvon' clematis (Clematis 'Madame Julia Correvon', Zones 4-9)

'Princess Diana' clematis (Clematis 'Princess Diana', Zones 4-8)

‘Prince Charles’ clematis (Clematis ‘Prince Charles’, Zones 4-8)

Variegated kiwi vine (Actinidia kolomikta, Zones 4-8)

Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris, Zones 4-8)

Japanese hydrangea vine (Schizophragma hydrangeoides, Zones 6-9)

Chinese Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus henryana, Zones 7-9) credit: Doreen Wynja

American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens, Zones 5-8)

 

Sabrena Schweyer’s Problem-Solving Perennials

Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica, Zones 3–8)

‘Eastern Star’ white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata ‘Eastern Star’, Zones 3–8)

Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana, Zones 3–9)

Short-toothed mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum, Zones 4–8)

 

Riz Reyes’ Favorite Container Plants (original episode # 86)

'Kiwi Fern' coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides ‘Kiwi Fern’, Zones 10-11)

Aeonium (Aeonium spp. and cvs., Zones 9-11)

Shearer's felt fern (Pyrrosia sheareri, Zones 7-10)

‘Dancing Queen’ hosta (Hosta 'Dancing Queen', Zones 3-8)

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)

Around here we’re not fans of the f-word. No, not that f-word. We’re talking about FALL. In our minds that cooler weather is still a long way off, so we’ve decided to celebrate the dog days of summer by talking about plants that really put on a show in August. When much of the garden is looking tired and bedraggled, these plants add a colorful punch to the scene. Some unexpected perennials and shrubs dominate our lists and for those who have been demanding it—Peter is back with his take on the end of summer. In true Peter fashion though, he’ll be discussing ice cream and…the solar system? Well, his segment will be entertaining, that’s for sure.

 

Expert guest: Cheyenne Wine is a writer and photographer at Rare Roots Nursery in Virginia, and a regular contributor to Fine Gardening’s Southeast regional reports.

 

Danielle’s Plants

Sombrero® Granada Gold coneflower (Echinacea 'Balsomold', Zones 4-9)

Scarlet rose mallow (Hibiscus coccineus, Zones 6-9)

Coral Crème Drop™ garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Ditomdre', Zones 3-8)

Quick Fire® panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Bulk', Zones 4-8)

 

Carol’s Plants

‘Dark Knight’ blue mist shrub (Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’, Zones 5-9)

Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia, annual)

Small yellow baptisia (Baptisia tinctoria, Zones 3-9)

‘Purple Supreme’ smoke bush (Cotinus ‘Purple Supreme’, Zones 5-8)

 

Expert’s Plants

'Cherry Choco Latte' rose mallow (Hibiscus x moscheutos 'Cherry Choco Latte', Zones 4-9)

Blue cardinal flower (Lobelia siphilitica, Zones 4-9)

'Ham and Eggs' lantana (Lantana camara 'Ham and Eggs', Zones 7b-11)

Vanilla Strawberry panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Renhy', Zones 3-8)

It’s that time of year again! The much-anticipated listener question and answer episode. Carol and Danielle look forward to this special episode (sometimes TWO episodes) because it allows them to offer real-life advice for the plant and garden design issues that are troubling all of you out there in the podcast universe. This time, we got a slew of great questions via email and social media and we’re going to do our best to get through as many as possible. The inquiries included advice on planting under trees, attracting hummingbirds, and info about what garden tasks we’re tackling during the dog days of summer. Tune in to see if we fielded your question, or if someone else’s problem spot is something you can relate to.

 

Photos for Danielle’s Questions

Cardinal climber (Ipomoea × sloteri, annual)

Earlybird™ Red White columbine (Aquilegia 'PAS1258484', Zones 4-9)

Gatsby Gal® oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Brenhill', Zones 5-9)

‘Perry’s Gold’ Norway spruce (Picea abies ‘Perry’s Gold’, Zones 3–9)

'Stoplights' epimedium (Epimedium 'Stoplights', Zones 4-9)

'Spanish Flare' hellebore (Helleborus 'Spanish Flare', Zones 4-9)

 

Photos for Carol’s Questions

Forest planting in India using the Miyawaki method

Miyawaki forest 9 months after planting

Northern red oak (Quercis rubra, Zones 4-8)

Reminiscent® Pink rose (Rosa x 'BOZFRA021', Zones 4-8)

Deadheaded flowers in Kielian DeWitt’s Montana garden

Recently mulched section of Carol’s garden

Quirky, collectible, and water-wise, succulents will add eye-catching texture to any garden bed or container display. There are some succulents that are cold hardy, while others will need to be brought indoors for the winter in colder regions. Join Danielle, Carol and guest Amanda Thomsen as they share some of their favorite succulents, including a few unforgettable “oddballs”.

 

Expert guest: Amanda Thomsen is a garden designer, garden shop owner, and author based in suburban Chicago.

 

Danielle’s Plants

Variegated fox tail agave (Agave attenuata 'Variegata', Zones 9-12)

Spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla, Zones 9-12)

Red mistletoe cactus (Pseudorhipsalis ramulosa, Zones 9-11)

‘Frosted Fire’ sedum (Sedum ‘Frosted Fire’, Zones 3-9)

 

Carol’s Plants

'Red Velvet’ plush plant (Echeveria pulvinata 'Red Velvet', Zones 9-11)

‘Christmas Carol’ aloe (Aloe ‘Christmas Carol’, Zones 9-11)

Gold moss sedum (Sedum acre, Zones 3-8)

‘Matrona’ sedum (Hylotelephium telephium 'Matrona', Zones 3-9)

 

Expert’s Plants

Pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucali, Zones 10-12)

Bundle of sticks plant (Cynanchum marnierianum, Zones 10-11)

‘Frizzle Sizzle’ albuca (Albuca spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’, Zones 8-10)

‘Nerds’ sedum (Sedum album ‘Nerds’, Zones 3-8)

Drought has become synonymous with gardening in the past several years. It seems like regardless of where you live, you will experience some sort of dry conditions in summer. This has led many of us to reevaluate our plant choices. Perennials we once relied on to fill our beds and borders may flag in July and August—or shrivel up and die altogether. In anticipation of drier conditions in the future, we’re talking about plants that thrive in drought. These selections have built in traits that allow them to sail through long periods of no rain, and/or soils that have little-to-no moisture retentive properties. And we’re not just talking about succulents and cacti here! Listen now to hear about an array of lush, floriferous perennials that thrive in desert-like environments.

Expert guest: Ed Lyon is Director of the Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa.

 

Danielle’s Plants

'Drops of Jupiter' oregano (Origanum 'Drops of Jupiter', Zone 4-9)

Sandpaper bush (Mortonia scabrella, Zones 8b-11)

'Pink Champagne' epimedium (Epimedium 'Pink Champagne', Zones 5-8)

'Blue Paradise' little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blue Paradise', Zones 3-9)

 

Carol’s Plants

‘Pink Diamonds’ alpine bleeding heart (Dicentra ‘Pink Diamonds’, Zones 3-9)

‘Caradonna’ meadow sage (Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna', Zones 4-8)

Bearded iris (Iris germanica cvs., Zones 3-9)

Undaunted® ruby muhly grass (Muhlenbergia reverchonii ‘PUND01S’, Zones 5-9)

 

Expert’s Plants

Epimedium (Epimedium  spp. and cvs., Zones 4-9)

Baptisia (Baptisia spp. and cvs., Zones 4-9)

‘Blackhawks’ big blue stem (Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks', Zones 3-9)

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa and cvs., Zones 3-9)

Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea, Zones 3-8)

Visiting a great nursery is inspirational. Colors and textures draw you in, and wish-list plants beckon to you from the benches and displays. You may even encounter a plant that you can’t live without, even though you’ve never seen it or heard about it before. Join Danielle and Carol as they stroll the aisles of a favorite Rhode Island nursery and chat about their favorite finds.

Expert guest: Sarah Partyka is the owner of The Farmer’s Daughter, a garden center in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Danielle’s Plants

'Copper Harbor' juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Copper Harbor')

Sensational!™ lavender (Lavandula x intermedia 'Tesseract', Zones 5-9)

‘Nickel Silver’ dyckia (Dyckia ‘Nickel Silver’, Zones 8-11)

‘Shiloh Splash’ river birch (Betula nigra 'Shiloh Splash', Zones 4-9)

 

Carol’s Plants

‘Venusta’ queen of the prairie (Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta’, Zones 3-8)

Agave-leaf sea holly (Eryngium agavifolium, Zones 6-9)

‘Eastern Star’ white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata ‘Eastern Star’, Zones 3-8)

‘Purpleleaf Bailey Select’ American hazelnut (Corylus americana ‘Purpleleaf Bailey Select’, Zones 4-9)

 

Expert’s Plants

‘Purple Knight’ calico plant (Alternanthera dentata ‘Purple Knight’, annual)

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus*, Zones 7–10)

‘Limelight’ licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’, Zones 9–11)

‘Kudos Mandarin’ agastache (Agastache ‘Kudos Mandarin’, Zones 5–9)

‘Xanthos’ cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Xanthos’, annual)

‘Profusion Double Deep Salmon’ zinnia (Zinnia ‘Profusion Double Deep Salmon’, annual)

Balloon plant (Gomphocarpus physocarpus, Zones 8–10)

‘Black and Blue’ anise-scented sage (Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’, Zones 7–10)

‘Kudos Yellow’ agastache (Agastache ‘Kudos Yellow’, Zones 5–9)

‘Aromatto’ basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Aromatto’, annual)

‘Emerald Falls’ dichondra (Dichondra repens ‘Emerald Falls’, Zones 7–11)

 

Expert’s plants:

Container 1

1.     ‘Purple Knight’ calico plant

2.     Cardoon

3.     ‘Limelight’ licorice plant

4.     ‘Kudos Mandarin’ Agastache

5.     ‘Xanthos’ cosmos

6.     ‘Profusion Double Deep Salmon’ zinnia

Container 2

1.     Balloon plant

2.     ‘Black and Blue’ anise-scented sage

3.     ‘Kudos Yellow’ agastache

4.     ‘Aromatto’ basil

5.     ‘Emerald Falls’ dichondra

 

To see more of Sarah Partyka’s beautiful pollinator-friendly containers, check out her article from Fine Gardening issue 206: https://www.finegardening.com/project-guides/container-gardening/6-beautiful-pollinator-container-garden-designs .

We all love plants that have some personality. These are the ones that stand out and make us take notice, and when we see them at a nursery, public garden, or in a fellow gardener’s collection, they go straight onto the wish list or into the shopping cart. Which unforgettable treasures will jump to mind as you listen to Danielle, Carol, and their guest musing about some of their favorite plants with presence?

Expert guest: Karl Gercens is the East Conservatory Manager at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

 

Danielle’s Plants

Rose Sensation™ false hydrangea vine (Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Minsens', Zones 5-9)

 Double Take Scarlet ™flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa 'Scarlet Storm', Zones 5-9)

 'Wu-La-La' hosta (Hosta ‘Wu-La-La’, Zones 3-9)

‘Little Honey’ oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Little Honey’, Zones 4b-9)

 

Carol’s Plants

‘Storm Cloud’ bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’, Zones 4-9)

Kodiak® Orange bush honeysuckle (Diervilla x 'G2X88544', Zones 4-7)

Marine heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens, Zones 10-11)

‘Straw’ Colorado spruce (Picea pungens ‘Straw’, Zones 4-8)

 

Expert’s Plants

Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanium, Zones 11-12)

Tower of jewels (Echium wildpretii, Zones 9-10)

Madeira Island geranium (Geranium maderense, Zones 9-11)

Wood’s cycad (Encephalartos woodii, Zones 10-11)

Mule’s foot fern (Angiopteris evecta, Zones 10-11)