))
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 ...
…
continue reading
It’s worth finding a few stalwarts that will survive almost anything When plants are done in by pests, diseases, or bad weather, it is hard not to take it personally. But on the positive side, each plant that shuffles off this mortal coil does offer an opportunity to add something newer and better to our garden. In this episode, Danielle, Carol, an…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
58:24
58:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 ou…
…
continue reading
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. Fol…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 178: Best Interview Moments from Let’s Argue About Plants
30:37
30:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 e…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 177: Seeds We’re Starting This Year
1:07:39
1:07:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 l…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 176: Plants with Personality with Amanda Thomsen
39:00
39:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 …
…
continue reading
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 th…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 174: Plant Evaluation with Sam Hoadley and Richard Hawke
40:21
40:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 173: Beneficial Host Plants
1:04:54
1:04:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 providin…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 172: Focal Points with Susan Morrison
43:31
43:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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…
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 170: High-Impact Native Plants with Uli Lorimer
46:46
46:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 i…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 169: Great Foundation Plants
1:10:42
1:10:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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; …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 168: Rewind – Design Rules of Thumb with Stacie Crooks
53:40
53:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 pos…
…
continue reading
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 join…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 166: Gardening for the Greater Good with Andrew Bunting
35:38
35:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 pro…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 165: Not Your Typical Ground Covers
56:43
56:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
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 exper…
…
continue reading
