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

What gardener doesn't like something a bit out-of-the ordinary, right? Especially when it's a plant that puts on a serious show as the final curtain call is happening. Today we highlight some of our favorite unusual fall perennials, options that are interesting cultivars of a genus you may know, and weird oddballs you've likely never heard of. Just a heads up that we may have cheated a teeny, tiny bit and thrown in a shrub or even a tender perennial to keep you on your toes. Regardless the plants you'll hear about on this episode are all exceptional autumnal stars that will stop garden visitors in the tracks to ask, "What on earth is that?"

Expert testimony: Matt Mattus is the author of two books: Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening and Mastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening. He gardens in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Danielle's Plants

'Snow Fairy' blue mist shrub (Caryopteris divaricata 'Snow Fairy', Zones 6-9)

'Lady in Black' calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum 'Lady in Black', Zones 3-8)

'Golden Angel' Japanese shrub mint (Leucosceptrum japonicum 'Golden Angel', 5-8)

Sapphire berry (Symplocos paniculata, Zones 4-8)

Carol's Plants

'Chocolate' Joe Pye weed (Eupatoriam rugosum 'Chocolate', Zones 4-8)

October daphne sedum (Sedum sieboldii, Zones 3-8)

'Black Negligee' bugbane (Actaea simplex 'Black Negligee', Zones 5-8)

'Goldtau' tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau', Zones 4-9)

Expert's Plants

'True Blue' gentian (Gentiana makinoi x scabra 'True Blue', Zones 4-8)

'Milk Bottles' bottle gentian (G. andrewsii 'Milk Bottles', Zones 4-8)

Summer gentian (G. septemfida syn. G. septemfida var. lagodechian, Zones 4-7)

Tuberose (Agave amica syn. Poloanthes tuberosa, Zones 7-11)

The Pearl', 'Single' (notable cultivars)

Weeping golden toad lily (Tricyrtis macrantha subsp. macranthopsis, Zones 4-9)

Ohsumi toad lily (T. ohsumensis, Zones 4-9)

Asian toad lily (T. formosana, Zones 4-9)

'Samuri', 'Autumn Glow', 'Gilt Edge' (notable cultivars)

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta, Zones 3-9)

Sonora', Prairie Sun', 'Goldrush', 'Goldilocks', 'Cherokee Sunset', 'Autumn Colors', 'Chim Chiminee' (notable cultivars)

Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba, Zones 4-8)

Nearly everyone can grow tropical plants outdoors during the summer months, but when the first frosts are forecasted gardeners in colder climates know there will be some tough decisions ahead. Which plants will be moved to those coveted spots by a south-facing window for winter? Is it worth the trouble to dig dahlia tubers and overwinter them, or should you just start over from scratch with newer, prettier varieties next year? Should you (once again) convince your significant other to don oven mitts, help you relocate your cherished collection of agaves indoors, and cohabitate with those dangerously spiky beauties until spring? OK, that last question might only be on Danielle's mind, but tune in to this episode to learn about the many ways our hosts have found to get their favorite tender plants through the coldest months, and why it is worth the effort.

Expert testimony:

Chloë Bowers is a professional gardener and landscape designer based in Newtown, Connecticut.

Danielle's Plants

'Escargot' rex begonia (Begonia 'Escargot', Zones 10-11)

'Cream Spike' agave (Agave 'Cream Spike', Zones 8-11)

'Snow Leopard' mangave (Mangave 'Snow Leopard', Zones 8-11)

Red Abyssinian banana (Ensete maurelii, Zones 8-10)

Carol's Plants

'Oxford Blue' gentian sage (Salvia patens 'Oxford Blue', Zones 8-10)

Variegated peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia 'Variegata', Zones 10-11)

'Doodlebug' dahlia (Dahlia 'Doodlebug', Zones 8-11)

'Coffee Cups' elephant's ear (Colocasia esculenta 'Coffee cups', Zones 8-11)

Expert's Plants

West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus, Zones 9-13)

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, Zones 7-10)

Malabar spinach (Basella alba, Zones 9b-11)

Mexican sour gherkin (Melothria scabra, Zones 9-11)

They're tough, they're hardy, they thrive in almost any location. So, why don't we love them? Give this episode a listen to hear about plants that have a ton of good attributes, but just can't bring ourselves to draw a heart around them. It's easy to ask gardeners what plants they hate—we all have long lists of inferior perennials, trees, and shrubs that are weak or have unruly habits making them deserving of our ire. But, what about those plants that haven't done anything to get themselves "do not buy list?" Turns out Carol and Danielle aren't the only ones with these complicated feelings, today's expert has similar thoughts.

Expert testimony:

Andy Pulte is a faculty member of the plant sciences department at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Danielle's Plants

'Peachie's Pick' Stokes' aster (Stokesia laevis 'Peachie's Pick', Zones 5-9)

'Persian Ruby' daylily (Hemerocallis 'Persian Ruby', Zones 3-9)

Veronica (Veronica spicata and cvs., Zones 3-8)

Blue rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii', Zones 3-9)

Carol's Plants

'Aurea' catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides, Zones 5-9)

Hostas (Hosta spp. and cvs., Zones 3–8)

Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium, Zones 3-9)

Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa, Zones 3-8)

Expert's Plants

Daylily (Hemerocallis spp. and cvs., Zones 3-9)

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus and cvs., Zones 5-8)

Shasta daisy (and cvs., Zones 5-8)

We all know and love parsley, sage rosemary, and thyme. And then there's sweet basil which is perhaps the queen of all the herbs. But what about those herbs that are just as tasty—or attractive—but don't get the same accolades? For those unsung heroes of the herb garden, we put together this episode. You'll hear about a deliciously spicy lemon basil, an elegant edible flower with brilliant orange blooms, and a marigold that resembles a mint. There are a mix of herbs grown for ornamental and edible purposes and some that can be put firmly in both those categories. Looking to spice up your garden with something a bit out-of-the-ordinary? Then give this latest episode a listen.

Expert testimony:

Sue Goetz, author of A Taste for Herbs and Complete Container Herb Gardening, is a garden designer and garden coach based in Washington state.

According to NASA Earth Observatory, one-third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020 and 2021 was much the same. This pattern of extended dry weather is sadly becoming more and more of the norm. We recently did a feature in Fine Gardening magazine highlighting a series of drought tolerant woody plants from around the country in our regional pages and that got Carol and Danielle thinking about which trees and shrubs are their favorite water-wise selections. Listen to today's episode for ideas on these backbone plants that won't require much, if any, intervention from the hose.

Special guest: Amy Galloway is a horticulturist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.

The original title of this episode was, Big and Bold Plants for the Back of the Border. But between the length and the tongue-twister alliteration, we shorted it a bit for promotional purposes. However, on today's program you'll hear all about plants that really stand out in the last row of the garden choir. These perennials and shrubs are tall, yes. But they have so much more going for them than simply their towering presence. The featured plants offer a grounding and bold backdrop for your garden beds, but don't flop all over the place. Some have excellent texture, others bodacious blooms, and a few even provide that beefiness during all four seasons. If you're looking for something to enhance—not just fill in—the back of the border, give this episode a listen.

Special guest: Courtney Olander, landscape designer from Seattle, Washington.

When late May and June hits, we can't help wandering out into the garden with a pair of shears in hand. Bringing fresh flowers into the house seems like a seasonal rite of passage for most gardeners (at least those that don't have allergies). But it can be a hard to cut those precious blooms and take them away from the landscape. That's why today we're talking about plants (perennials, annuals, and even shrubs) that we grow specifically for their flower-power. These options provide plenty of blooms for the garden AND the vase, and that's why they're our favorites. We span the color spectrum as well, with recommendations for every hue imaginable. And, we even have several selections that are deliciously fragrant. If you're looking to add some cutting garden oomph to your beds and borders, give this episode a listen.

Special guest: Christine Alexander, digital content editor for Fine Gardening.com

Is there anything ground covers can't do? They are useful in problem areas like steep slopes, under trees and shrubs, and in spaces that need erosion control. They also reduce maintenance by enveloping areas that would ordinarily need a boatload of mulch to keep weeds at bay. Now, not all ground covers play nice. Some species will not only cover bare ground, but they will choke out neighboring plants. But that's not the plants we're talking about today. We're focusing on ground covers that will spread out thickly, but politely, and smother out any potential weeds in the process. We discuss options for sun, shade, and even drought tolerant selections for those truly hellish spots. And in case you think we're too East Coast centric, today's expert calls in from California to offer up some plants that thrive in the Western half of the country.

Expert testimony: Fionuala Campion is the owner and manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma, California.

Always give a gift that you yourself would like to receive. That's excellent advice when it comes to life-- and as gardeners, we can extend that sentiment to giving plants as gifts. Ask yourself: what plants would I like to get as a gift? We had a lot of fun on today's episode, imagining the scenarios in which we'd give our friends, neighbors, or even strangers particular plants that would convey our feelings of happiness, sympathy, or just pure joy. Need a wedding present that's truly unique this season? Well give a listen to our suggestion for a perfect small tree that will grow right along with the love that the couple has for one another. OK, we promise, the other suggestions aren't nearly as sappy.

Special guest: Scott Endres is a designer and horticulturist at Tangletown Gardens in Minneapolis.

Little kids have Christmas. Gardeners have spring. To us, this is the most wonderful time of the year. And with the start of the season, comes those inevitable trips to the nursery. In an effort to not max out their credit cards, this spring Carol and Danielle are making shopping lists of plants that they will be on the hunt for. These species are going to fill a particular need or want in their gardens, and they might do the same for you. Listen today to see what our hosts are dreaming of adding to their beds and borders.

Special guest: Kim Toscano is a horticulturalist based in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She previously hosted Oklahoma Gardening, a weekly PBS television program produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.