Keeping an open mind is a great way to find new favorites!

Of course we are entitled to have strong opinions about plants, but it doesn't hurt to have our minds changed once in a while. In this episode Danielle, Carol, and their expert guest will discuss the redeeming qualities of plants that have won them over after some initial resistance. If there are particular plants you have ruled out for one reason or another, this might be the encouragement you needed to look at them in a new light.

Expert: Jason Reeves is the curator of the University of Tennessee Gardens, located at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson.

Get the plant list for this episode at FineGardening.com: https://www.finegardening.com/article/episode-186-plants-we-have-learned-to-love

Now is the time to invest in a spectacular spring show!

Bulbs of all kinds are easy-care solutions for bringing extra color and an element of surprise to containers, beds, and even lawns. In this episode, Danielle and Carol are joined by bulb aficionado Joseph Tychonievich to discuss the most exciting varieties that they'll be adding to their shopping carts this fall and winter.

Expert: Joseph Tychonievich is an independent plant breeder and author who lives and gardens in South Bend, Indiana. Check out more of his bulb recommendations in his Spring Bulb Buying Guide (link article) in the Fall 2025 issue.

In this episode, we're digging into our all-time favorite vegetable varieties—the ones we can't imagine our gardens (or dinner plates) being without. From not one, but two improved 'Brandywine'-type heirloom tomatoes to a cucumber that never fails to impress at the summer picnic. Carol even shares her must-have green bean variety (and tries to convince Danielle that it doesn't taste like wood). We rounded out the hour with personal stories, growing tips, and a few surprising twists on how to combat a couple of dreaded veggie pests.

Expert: Fionuala Campion is the owner and manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma, California. She is also a regional reporter for FineGardening.com.

See the full plant list from this episode on our website!

Roses may be the most controversial plant out there. In this episode, we're discussing the most reliable, low-maintenance, and high-performing rose varieties for those of us who crave beauty without the fuss. These standout selections offer impressive disease resistance, long bloom periods, and lush fragrance—without demanding constant care. From classic hybrid teas to bombproof species roses, this list proves that growing roses doesn't have to be an exercise in frustration.

If you've shied away from roses (or been burned by them in the past), find out about some tried-and-true choices that deliver season after season, making them a smart and satisfying addition to any garden.

Find the full plant list from this episode on the Fine Gardening Website: https://www.finegardening.com/article/episode-183-roses-you-wont-regret

Expert: Adam Glas is a garden supervisor and rosarian at the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College. You can find his excellent Mid-Atlantic regional reports for FineGardening.com filed here: Adam Glas author page.

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.