Super Cool Plants - Formerly Known as Let's Argue About Plants

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)

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 summer solstice. You might think this is a tall order for any plant to fill (Peter certainly thinks so) but there are a surprising number of candidates that are up to challenge.

Expert guest: Julie Lane Gay is a garden designer and horticultural writer in British Columbia, Canada.

Danielle's Plants

Yuki Cherry Blossom ® deutzia (Deutzia 'NCDX2', Zones 5-8)

Baby Kim® lilac (Syringa 'SMNSDTP', Zones 3-8)

'Cora Louise' Itoh peony (Paeonia 'Cora Louise', Zones 4-9)

'Jim's Pride' daphne (Daphne × transatlantica 'Jim's Pride', Zones 5-9)

Carol's Plants

Perpetua® blueberry (Vaccinium 'ORUS-61-1', Zones 4-8)

Dwarf red-leaved sand cherry (Prunus x cistena, Zones 2-8)

Sugar Baby® forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia 'NIMBUS', Zones 5-8)

Double Play® Candy Corn® Spirea (Spiraea japonica 'NCSX1', Zones 4-8)

Expert's Plants

Dwarf sweet box (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis, Zones 6-9)

Eternal Fragrance ® daphne (Daphne × transatlantica 'Blafra', Zones 5-9)

'Wabi-Sabi' dwarf viburnum (Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Wabi-Sabi', Zones 5-8)

A link to expert Julie Lane Gay's article on dwarf shrubs:

https://www.finegardening.com/project-guides/gardening-basics/surprising-shrubs-for-small-spaces

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 Chartreuse Garden Design in Seattle.

Danielle's Plants

Spider flower/Cleome (Cleome hassleriana and cvs., annual)

Appalachian sedge (Carex appalachica, Zones 3-7)

Creeping petunia (Petunia spp. and cvs., annual)

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

Carol's Plants

Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis, Zones 3-9)

Snow on the mountain (Euphorbia marginata, annual)

'Strawberry Fields' gomphrena (Gomphrena 'Strawberry Fields, annual)

'Pink Cotton Candy' betony (Stachys officinalis 'Pink Cotton Candy', Zones 4-8)

Expert's Plants

Black Lace® elderberry (Sambucus nigra 'Eva', Zones 5-7)

'Cavatine' pieris (Pieris japonica 'Cavatine', Zones 5-8)

'Blue Star' juniper (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star', Zones 4-8)

'Bressingham White' bergenia (Bergenia 'Bressingham White', Zones 3-8)

Liverleaf (Hepatica nobilis, Zones 5-8)

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 two, three, or perhaps even four) that look incredible in spring when grouped together. There's a mix of annuals, perennials, and even a few shrubs in this array. But, when massed in close proximity, the effect is just as stunning as your peak season pairings. Many of you listeners asked us to broach planting design in an episode, so here we are, answering your call!

Expert guest:

Matt Mattus is a regional reporter for FineGardening.com. The author of two gardening books, he gardens in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Danielle's Combos

Combo 1:

'Mango Charm' tulip (Tulipa 'Mango Charm', Zones 3-7)

'Peach Flambe' heuchera (Heuchera 'Peach Flambe', Zones 4-9)

'Peach Melba' horned violet (Viola cornuta 'Peach Melba', Zones 6-9)

Combo 2:

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis, Zones 3-8)

Fingerleaf rodgersia (Rodgersia aesculifolia, Zones 5-7)

'Halcyon' hosta (Hosta 'Halcyon', Zones 5-9)

'Nelly Moser' clematis (Clematis 'Nelly Moser', Zones 4-9)

Carol's Combos

Combo 1:

Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia, Zones 3–8)

Interrupted fern (Osmunda claytoniana, Zones 3–8)

'Toffee Tart' heuchera (Heuchera 'Toffee Tart', Zones 4–9)

'Palace Purple' heuchera (Heuchera 'Palace Purple', Zones 4–9)

Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum, Zones 5–8)

'October Moon' Japanese shrub mint (Leucosceptrum stellipilum 'October Moon', Zones 5–8)

Combo 2

'May breeze' woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata 'May Breeze', Zones 4–8)

'Wanda' primrose (Primula 'Wanda', Zones 3–9)

Creeping mazus (Mazus reptans, Zones 5–8)

'Ogon' grassy-leaved sweet flag (Acorus gramineus 'Ogon', Zones 5–9)

Siberian cranesbill (Geranium wlassovianum, Zones 5–8)

Expert's Combos

Melancholy toadflax or fairy lights (Linaria tristis, Zones 4-8)

'Café au lait'painted tongue (Salpiglossis 'Café au lait', annual)

Poached egg plant (Limnanthes douglasii, annual)

'Penny Black' baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii 'Penny Black', annual)

'Jelly Bean Fiesta Marigold' monkey flower (Mimulus 'Jelly Bean Fiesta Marigold', annual)

Assorted pansies in browns, reds, rusts (Viola × wittrockiana and cvs., Zones 5-9)

Desert bells (Phacelia campanularia, Zones 5-10)

Belarina® Series primroses (Primula cv., Zones 4-8)

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 choices for a spectacular spring display .

Expert guests: Nick & Olivia Heltzel are the owners of Inch by Inch Permaculture in Wheelock, Vermont, where they grow tulips as a sustainable cut flower alternative for regional markets and events.

Danielle's Plants

'Claudia' tulip (Tulipa 'Claudia', Zones 3-7)

'Alba Coerulea Oculata' species tulip (Tulipa humilus 'Alba Coerulea Oculata', Zones 4-8)

'Spring Green' tulip (Tulipa 'Spring Green', Zones 3-7)

'Red Riding Hood' Greig's tulip (Tulipa greigii 'Red Riding Hood', Zones 4-8)

Carol's Plants

'Princess Irene' tulip (Tulipa 'Princess Irene', Zones 3–8)

Link to Irvin Etienne's article, Bright Ideas for Spring Containers

'Pretty Princess' tulip (Tulipa 'Pretty Princess', Zones 3–8)

'Lady Jane' lady tulip (Tulipa clusiana 'Lady Jane', Zones 3–7)

'Tangerine Beauty' species tulip (Tulipa vvedenskyi 'Tangerine Beauty', Zones 3–7)

Expert's Plants

'Dreamer' tulip (Tulipa 'Dreamer', Zones 3–8)

'Pink Star' tulip (Tulipa 'Pink Star', Zones 3–8)

'Apricot Parrot' tulip (Tulipa 'Apricot Parrot', Zones 3–7)

'Verona' tulip (Tulipa 'Verona', Zones 3–7)

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 your garden needs. We can't guarantee planting these gems will attract leprechauns but having them in your beds will make you feel like you've scored a pot of gold.

Expert guest: Mark Dwyer is garden manager for the Edgerton Hospital Healing Garden and operates Landscape Prescriptions by MD in Wisconsin.

Danielle's Plants

Irish moss (Sagina subulata, Zones 4-8)

Beesia (Beesia deltophylla,Zones 6-9)

'Soft Caress' mahonia (Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress', Zones 6-11)

Hacquetia (Hacquetia epipactis syn. Sanicula epipactis, Zones 5-7)

Carol's Plants

Langsdorff's tobacco (Nicotiana langsdorffii, annual)

Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum, Zones 3-8)

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis, Zones 3-8)

'Cupressina' Norway spruce (Picea abies 'Cupressina', Zones 3-8)

Expert's Plants

'Virdis' and 'Green Tails' love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus 'Green Tails' and 'Viridis', annual)

'Act Green' and 'Spring Green' cockscomb (Celosia cristata 'Act Green' and 'Spring Green', annual)

'Sunday Green' and 'Sylphid' plume celosia (Celosia plumosa 'Sunday Green' and 'Sylphid', annual)

'Green Ball' dianthus (Dianthus 'Green Ball', annual)

Bells-of-Ireland (Moluccella laevis, annual)

'Queen Lime' zinnia (Zinnia elegans 'Queen Lime', annual)

'August Forest' gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia hirta 'August Forest', annual)

'Green Jewel' coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'Green Jewel', Zones 4-9)

'Green Envy' coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'Green Envy', Zones 4-9)

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

Little Lime ™ panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Bulk', Zones 3-9)

Little Lime Punch ™ panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'SMNHPH', Zones 3-9)

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 will extend your options beyond the basic greens, and this article on growing your own salad mix.

Expert guest: Lucas Holman is director and lead horticulturist at the University of Tennessee's Wilson County Agriculture Extension office in Lebanon, Tennessee.

Danielle's Plants

'Danyelle' red oakleaf lettuce

Pea shoots

'Red Streaked' arugula

'Catalonian' chicory

Carol's Plants

'Tokyo Bekana' Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. chinensis 'Tokyo Bekana')

Link to Ira Wallace's article on greens:

Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris 'Ruby Red', 'Bright Yellow', 'Peppermint', and 'Oriole')

Spinach

Tatsoi

Expert's Plants

Green onions

Lettuce

Turnips

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 trees, spring ephemerals and even a few lesser-known North American natives that not only make us happy, but help support the earliest pollinators. Those living in more Southern locales will delight in our expert chiming in from Texas to talk about what gardeners in warmer climes have to look forward to in just a few short days.

Expert guest: Jared Barnes, Ph.D., is an associate professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Danielle's Plants

Red trillium (Trillium erectum, Zones 4-7)

Wood anemone (Anemone quinquefolia, 3-8)

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum, Zones 5-8)

Pink flowering dogwood (Cornus florida f. rubra, Zones 5-9)

Carol's Plants

'Berry Swirl' hellebore (Helleborus x hybridus 'Berry Swirl', Zones 4–8)

Trout lily (Erythronium americanum, Zones 3–8)

False spirea (Sorbaria sorbifolia, Zones 2–8)

Shadblow serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis, Zones 4–8)

Expert's Plants

Yellow wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox 'Luteus', Zones 7-9)

Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha, Zones 7-10)

Virginia springbeauty (Claytonia virginica, Zones 3-8)

'Bonita' Japanese apricot (

Prunus mume 'Bonita', Zones 6-9)

'Tojibai' Japanese apricot (Prunus mume 'Tojibai', Zones 6-9)