Turn up the garden heat with a dose of bold, confident color 

Red flowers—love ‘em or hate ‘em — add an undeniable fiery look to gardens. The hue stands out brilliantly against the predominant greens of most landscapes, which makes red flowers an instant focal point. For many gardeners, red blooms are the heartbeats of their beds and borders, radiating passion, energy, and a timeless charm. Perhaps it’s no surprise that the familiar line “Roses are red…” from the popular nursery rhyme comes so readily to mind; those four words have etched red flowers into the cultural imagination as symbols of love and beauty. Whether it's the velvety petals of a crimson peony or the fiery spikes of hummingbird favorite, these blooms offer not just color, but drama. If you think you're not a fan of red-flowered plants, give this episode a listen because we offer up some options for every imaginable shade of this controversial color, from magenta pinkish red to dark and moody burgundy.   

Expert: Erin Schanen creator of the Impatient Gardener blog and YouTube channel and Fine Gardening author.  

See the full plant list from this episode online: https://www.finegardening.com/article/episode-182-favorite-plants-with-red-flowers

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, and expert guest Kielian DeWitt talk about some of the most reliable cultivars that have stood the test of time under tough conditions. Perhaps one of these choices will be just right for filling a gap that has recently opened up in your garden.

Expert: Kielian DeWitt lives and gardens in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley. Check out an article about her garden here: https://www.finegardening.com/article/garden-design-that-doesnt-limit-your-color-palette

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.  

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) 

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.

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. 

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) 

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. 

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

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.