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 ...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 11 min
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 yo...
Jan 19, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Stacie Crooks is a Seattle-based garden designer who has created beautiful, ecologically friendly, low-maintenance gardens throughout the Pacific Northwest. She is also a contributing editor for Fine Gardening magazine and has shared her insights with our readers through 10 feature articles and several departments over the past 17 years. In this episode, Carol interviews Stacie about the lessons that she has gained from her years of garden design experience. Stacie Crooks’s Garden Design Rules o...
Jan 05, 2024•57 min
Plants with a silvery sheen stand out beautifully against the sea of green that fills most garden beds. In this episode, Danielle, Carol, and their guest will highlight some shimmering shrubs, drought-tolerant perennials, a tiny dwarf conifer, and even an unusual silvery vine with a bit of a back story. Perhaps one of these lovely, luminous plants could be the silver bullet solution to one of your own garden design dilemmas. Chloë Bowers, a garden designer based in southwestern Connecticut, is t...
Dec 15, 2023•49 min
Oh, dear listeners...it’s the most glorious time of the year! No, not because it’s time to hang the stockings or trim the tree—because it’s time to make the 2024 gardening wish lists. This year Carol and Danielle have selected the 8 plants they are pining over most. You will hear about a brand-new perennial that few, if any, have seen before. And there’s also a new hydrangea with...brace yourselves...BLACK foliage! The list also includes plants that our contributors have written extensively abou...
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 6 min
If you like the beauty and impact that ornamental grasses bring to a garden design, you will love the many shapes, forms and colors that North American native species offer. Whether you need a practical groundcover, a dramatic focal point, or an airy filler to knit a matrix planting together, Danielle, Carol, and guest Paula Gross have some options that will inspire you to start your spring shopping list now. Expert guest:Paula Gross is a horticulture educator at Central Piedmont Community Colle...
Nov 17, 2023•55 min
While searching through our archive of episodes we discovered something: There are a few specific plants we just can’t stop talking about. As the years have progressed here at Let’s Argue About Plants, we find ourselves experimenting with more and more varieties, so we have something new to report back to you on. But frankly, there are a core of plants that we could talk about every episode because they are just that good. We try to mix it up, but these stars have made it into more than a couple...
Nov 03, 2023•47 min
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 g...
Oct 20, 2023•56 min
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' ...
Oct 06, 2023•38 min
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?...
Sep 15, 2023•42 min
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 featurin...
Sep 01, 2023•49 min
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 e...
Aug 18, 2023•54 min
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 planti...
Aug 04, 2023•54 min
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 ...
Jul 21, 2023•49 min
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 all...
Jul 07, 2023•46 min
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. ...
Jun 16, 2023•28 min
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 Kenn...
Jun 02, 2023•49 min
If you’re looking to add some heft to the spring garden, but don’t want to overwhelm genteel bulbs or ephemeral perennials then dwarf, spring-flowering shrubs are the answer. These little powerhouses are quick to put on new growth in the early part of the season and often sport blossoms in soft hues which will compliment the pastel colors that dominate May and June. Today’s requirements are simple: the shrubs mentioned must stay under 3 to 4 feet tall and wide and they must flower before the sum...
May 19, 2023•46 min
Every garden has gaps that need to be filled from time to time. Whether you are looking for a short-term stand-in while a bed is being reworked or a quick fix after another plant dies, it is nice to have a list of pinch-hitters that can step in and fill space quickly. Listen in as Danielle, Carol, and expert guest Lisa Bauer share some of their favorite choices for gracefully filling the vacancies that are a natural part of a garden’s evolution. Expert guest: Lisa Bauer is the owner of Chartreus...
May 05, 2023•49 min
To gardeners, spring is the signal of something big to come. It kicks off our season. For the next several months we will primp and preen our beds to maximize their beauty and relish in their good looks. But as all our plants start waking up in April and early May, it can be hard to really focus on the “design” elements. Many of us are often just happy to see any signs of life, never mind if those newly emerging plants look good together. That’s why today we’re focusing on plant combinations (of...
Apr 21, 2023•51 min
Tulips are a lavish spring gift that any gardener can give to themself and to their neighborhood with just a little advance planning. Whether your tulip bulbs are pre-ordered as early as possible in summer through your favorite supplier, or purchased last-minute from the garden center just before the ground freezes, getting them into the ground this fall will pay big dividends next spring. Listen in as Danielle, Carol, and our experts talk about some tulip varieties that would be surefire choice...
Apr 07, 2023•44 min
Green plants? Well of course! What else would our topic be for a St. Patrick’s Day episode? Today we’re talking about plants that are stunners despite being “just green.” Turns out that these selections of perennials, annuals, trees, and shrubs are some of the most textural and eye-catching plants you can grow. And, we’ll remind listeners right at the top of the show—green comes in tons of different shades. So make way for some chartreuse, emerald, and lime colored options that are just what you...
Mar 17, 2023•48 min
Growing spring greens is an easy, satisfying project that takes very little time and very little garden space—you can even grow greens in containers! Homegrown spring greens will be fresher than any you can find at the grocery store or farmer’s market, and you can try varieties that aren’t commonly available, like ‘Red Streaked’ arugula, or ‘Tokyo Bekana’ Chinese cabbage. If this episode inspires you to start some seedlings of your own, check out this article from Ira Wallace about options that ...
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 3 min
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 tr...
Feb 17, 2023•55 min
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 h...
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 13 min
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...
Jan 20, 2023•47 min
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 v...
Jan 06, 2023•51 min
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 de...
Dec 19, 2022•44 min
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 ...
Dec 02, 2022•44 min
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 querie...
Nov 18, 2022•1 hr 15 min
