The Garden Mixer

This is a long one, but worth it in terms of information gleaned about some of the best perennials you can choose. Richard Hawke runs the famous evaluations at the Chicago Botanic Garden and in this episode he talks about the evaluations and what they mean and how they can help any gardener to know WHICH darned plant to choose. We talk about the process and then I insist that we go over the ones that I was basically forced to buy after hearing him talk at Speaking of Gardening at Asheville last summer. Forced is strong-- how about 'Unable to Resist'? 

Apropos of nothing other than a little vacation I took in Florida recently, the Plant of the Week is the Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis), and in The Play List I talk about seed starting and winter pruning.  

I asked some of my favorite gardeners to share sustainable practices that they employ in their gardens. We get contributions from Linda Vater, Erin Schanen, Julie Hart (Nanny Noo), Amanda the Everhopeful Gardener, Emma Biggs, Marianne Willburn, Bunny Williams and Tasha Greer about what they do (or don't do) in their gardens to make our earth a bit happier. 

Looking for last minute Christmas decoration ideas for your containers and front door? Susan Nock of Thistle Containers gives us those goods plus ideas for inside, and maybe grander ideas for future decoration ideas if this year is a busy one for you. The Plant of the Week is an incongruous choice, but you will understand why I chose it once I explain. What to do in your garden right now is a compact list-- less is more at this time of year. 

What if all mulch were free? What if the trees and branches that are chewed up every time an arborist works in your neighborhood could be distributed on your garden beds (you have to do that part) or added to your compost pile, or simply kept on your property to break down to become a seed and potting medium? That is what wood chips can do for you-- they aren't just for lining your paths or the bottom of your swing set. I chat with Ben Raskin author of The Woodchip Handbook, to get to the bottom of how gardeners can use chips, and wood chip myths are dispelled, so listen up! The Plant of the Week is the Illicium parviflorum 'Florida Sunshine' and as always, I talk about what you could be doing in your garden right now. 

I get to talk to a guy who's been gardening at America's largest home, the Biltmore, for decades and he is now the Head Horticulturist there. Bill Quade gives us the ins and outs of what it's like to garden at a Frederick Law Olmsted home creation and keep it true to its original intent. The Plant of the Week is the Hedychium coronarium, and we talk about Monarch butterflies, bulb planting and more. 

Author and Speaker Joseph Tychonievich gives us a glimpse into the many presentations that he gives nationally, including topics such as Plant Breeding, Plant Pollinators and Why They Matter, and Dealing with Your Hosta Addiction. Author of four books including his latest, a comic book guide on how to grow tomatoes, Joseph makes his elevated understanding of horticulture and plant biology accessible to all. Other topics include the sugar maple and why that orange makes me happy this time of year, the alien invasive vine oriental bittersweet, and how to plant bulbs.

Besides an interesting conversation with Consi Palmer and Carol Carter, who explain what it's like to start up a botanic garden, and besides talking about six great fall plants because I simply was not able to choose a Plant of the Week, I am all over the map on this episode. Here's a little list of what I talked about... changing out beds, working with your landscapers to improve issues like excessive noise and unnecessary fertilizers, plants that will make up my new tropical bed, how I didn't know Annabelle Hydrangeas can develop nasty tap roots, putting away your hoses for winter, what 20 orange azaleas can do for you, and more. 

Both the New England Aster and the Chinese Tartarian Aster are making merry in my garden right now, so those are our Plants of the Week. I chat with Steph Green of Contained Creations who has begun an exciting new website that can have us all re-creating and enjoying her magical container combinations. Other topics include expert input on the question of Asclepius curavassica from Doug Tallamy and some science about mulching from an article written recently by Charlie Nardozzi. 

Marian Boswall is a UK Landscape Architect and Horticulturist who believes that sustainable gardening ideas add to the beauty of gardens. In this episode we discuss her ethos and how it came through in her book, 'Sustainable Gardening' via projects and ideas that every gardener can carry out. The Plant of the Week is the Blue Mist flower, or Conoclinium coelestinum, and I talk about how to divide perennials. 

We all get aches and pains occasionally, but Madeline Hooper has found out a bit of magic-- we don't have to. She enlisted Personal Trainer Jeff Hughes to help her out, and the results have been pain free gardening for her, and an entire PBS television series for all of us. Garden Fit takes us to lots of different gardens and gardeners, showing us plants, design, beautiful spaces, and 'fixes' for what ails the gardener. The Plant of the Week makes the perfect filler in a container: Carex 'Everillo', and I talk about good fall plants, and what to do in your garden at this time of year.