Bees love yellow and we love yellow! Yellow is a great color for brightening up the landscape and giving a cheerful appearance to any garden bed. In this episode, Stacey and Rick list a ton of plants with yellow flowers or yellow foliage that you can use in your garden.
Gardening Simplified
en
us
RSS
Website
Apple
Introducing Gardening Simplified, a new radio show and podcast from Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs.
Hosted by life-long gardeners Rick Vuyst and Stacey Hirvela, the Gardening Simplified show is designed to share our love of plants and gardening. Whatever your skill or experience level, you’ll find something interesting, useful, and just plain fascinating in every episode.
Hosted by life-long gardeners Rick Vuyst and Stacey Hirvela, the Gardening Simplified show is designed to share our love of plants and gardening. Whatever your skill or experience level, you’ll find something interesting, useful, and just plain fascinating in every episode.
Episodes
194
Transcripts
161
83% coverage
Missing Transcripts
33
With Chapters
0
Episodes
Containers are a great way for you to experiment with new plants, color schemes, and design elements. Not to mention, they have fantastic space saving capabilities! Whether you like to go all out on containers, or have one cherished pot, we’ve got plant and care recommendations when it comes to container gardening.
There’s no better feeling than being able to go out to your own garden and harvest food you’ve grown yourself. Not only is it rewarding, but beneficial for you and the wildlife around you! Learn about some of the tasty and useful plants that you can incorporate in your landscape.
Incredible flowers, improved disease resistance, and foliage for every taste and space – whew! In this episode Stacey and Rick talk about plants you’ll want to keep an eye out for in garden centers in 2026.
An annual review of the plants in your landscape is similar to an annual review of workers at a place of employment. You're the boss. Which plants excelled? Which plants are put on the chopping block? Learn about factors that Stacey and Rick use to determine if a plant is going to stay in their gardens or not.
Good companions bring out the best in each other. That doesn’t mean they have to be similar, but that they support and boost-up one another. Learn how to pair plants like a pro in this episode!
Sharing space with wildlife is a necessity, and frequently a purpose, of a garden. Observing little animals is magical until you see them munching on your favorite flowers. Although rabbits are small, they can do a lot of damage! Hear about ways to help garden and coexist with these hoppy little creatures.
Some gardeners prefer their landscape to be tidy and well-kept, while others like their garden a little on the wild side. In this episode Stacey and Rick discuss what makes for an unruly garden and plants that can be the perfect rowdy contenders. In segment four, we interview Eric and Christopher from Grow For Me Gardening to talk about their very beautiful and very orderly garden. Plus hear about their new Hydrangea Handbook and design tips they’ve learned as their garden has grown.
Zone-pushing is attempting to plant and grow a plant that is one or two zones different from your current planting zone. It refers to pushing the boundaries of what is considered an appropriate planting location. Learn what plants are good contenders for zone-pushing, and ways you can create micro-climates in your garden to help be successful zone-pushing.
The National Invasive Species Council and the Invasive Species Advisory Committee define an invasive species as “a species that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.” Stacey and Rick dispel misunderstandings, highlight problematic plants, and talk about what you can do to help combat the spread of invasive plants.
The more you garden, the more plants you kill, it’s an obligatory part of the journey. But just because a plant dies, doesn’t mean it isn’t worth another shot. Stacey and Rick discuss reasons why a first attempt may not be successful, but how you can learn and move forward from it.
We all know the benefits that come with gardening, but something we don’t often think about is how plants can help to save energy. Casting shade, providing windbreaks, and saving on water bills are just some of the ways you can utilize plants to help conserve energy. The best part? You can buy more plants with the money you save!
Seed germination is the fundamental biological process by which a dormant seed wakes up and develops into a new, functional seedling under favorable conditions. We explain these ideal conditions and the best practices for creating and maintaining them. Plus, learn (and listen to) Stacey’s favorite seeds and seed pods!
What is an island bed? An island bed is a freestanding garden, usually surrounded by grass and can be viewed from all sides. Hear design tips, including how to incorporate texture, color, and structure in these beds. And, of course, we give plant recommendations!
Published 2026-02-07
Plants Make Great Gifts! Knowing How to Pick the Right Plants
48 min
Transcript
A reminder that flowers are symbols for expressing complex emotions and feelings. Flowers engage multi-sensory sight, touch, and aroma experiences! We recommend flowers year-round for you! In segment four, we interview Dr. Jessica Turner-Skoff about plant poaching, its impacts, and how you can help stop this practice. Featured shrub: Midnight Express redbud.
Known for their whimsical and wild aesthetics, cottage gardens are a great for mixing texture and color. Not to mention, pollinators love the variety provided by this gardening style. Learn about plants that are perfect for cottage gardens, no matter where you live!
Houseplants have gained traction in recent years, and for good reason! Bringing nature inside can help boost moral and give us plant lovers something to appreciate during off seasons. Hear all about the 2026 houseplant of the year and how to create your own lively terrarium.
Annuals are the cherry on top in garden design. Not only do they provide color and landscape solutions, but they inspire creativity and leave room for gardeners to experiment. Hear all about the 2026 annuals of the year!
While we all dream and scheme for gardening season, hear all about the 2026 Perennials of the Year from Proven Winners. Cayla Olson, from Walter's Gardens and Proven Winners perennials, joins us to deep dive into these exciting perennials.
New Year, new plants! Hear all about the 2026 Shrubs of the Year from Proven Winners ColorChoice shrubs.
The New Year is often brought in with various traditions and celebrations. In this episode, we talk about the plants used in these and the symbolism of each. Plus, a few garden resolutions for the New Year. Featured plant: Persimmon.
Christmas history and traditions are heavily influenced by plants, I mean, we bring a whole tree in the house for the holiday! Learn all about the plants behind this holiday.
Is frost really a bad thing for plants? Find out the difference between a frost, and a freeze, and when to take action against them. Plus, hear the benefits of snow in the garden. Featured shrub, Oso Easy Ice Bay rose.
As Stacey says, real gardening starts once you’re not afraid to make mistakes. Sure, taking risks can be scary, but it can also be so rewarding! Whether you try to push the limits of spacing or hardiness, stepping out of your comfort zone is a big part of gardening. We discuss ways to push the boundaries in the landscape and the potential benefits of doing so. Featured shrub: Just Chill Red Tip camellia.
Broadleaf evergreens, or as we like to call them, flowering evergreens, are powerhouses in the landscape. They give you interest, structure, privacy, and color every season. In this episode, we explore the wide variety of broadleaf evergreens and how to care for them. Featured shrub: Gem Box inkberry holly.
There are many plants used as culinary staples when it comes to Thanksgiving. In this episode, we talk about the history, cultural impact, and nature behind these plants. Plus, you’ll never guess what Stacey picked for this week’s plant on trial, but you won’t want to miss it!
Conifers, often mistaken for Pine trees, are and have been landscape staples throughout history. Not to mention a classic choice for the Christmas tree! We dive into what makes a conifer, a conifer, and talk about the wide variety of conifers in the world. Fun facts, care tips, and how to deal with Juglone (the chemical produced by Black Walnut trees) are just a few of the things you’ll hear in this episode. Featured shrub: Stonehenge yew.
The color orange can be associated with cheer, caution, and optimism, to name a few. Learn how incorporating orange in your landscape can add a vibrant element to your palette. Featured shrub: Berry Box pyracomeles.
With 2026 around the corner, Rick and Stacey share what 2025 taught them and how to take that knowledge and use it moving forward. Learn about favorite plants, popular show topics, and garden revelations in 2025. West Michigan had a near historic drought this year - hear how plants handled these tough conditions in Stacey’s garden.
Welcome to the Little Shop of Horticulture! Gardening is a joy, but in honor of the season, we discuss the spooky side of gardening - invasive plants, daunting diseases, and woeful weeds. Learn about the goth garden trend and the perfect plants to use to create your own eerie escape.
Published 2025-10-18
Timing Is Everything! | Timely Garden Tasks and Understanding Plant Growth Rates
45 min
Transcript
A garden is a physical manifestation of the passage of time. We all know plants grow, but how quickly they do depend on a lot of factors. So, in this episode we break down how plant growth rates are determined. We’ll also discuss how timing tasks in the garden will make for happier plants and a happier gardener.
Working the land is directly correlated with being a good steward of the land. Get advice on how you can work your landscape in a way that’s smarter, not harder, for both you and the land.
Published 2025-10-04
It’s on the House! | How to Landscape With You Home Exterior Colors
46 min
Transcript
When adding a plant or designing your landscape, there’s a lot to consider! One of the most important but overlooked considerations is the color of your home’s exterior. Get tips and tricks for choosing a garden color scheme based on your house colors. Featured shrub: Blue Kazoo spirea.
So, a pumpkin is a squash, which is a type of gourd, but not all gourds are pumpkins, and not all squash are pumpkins. Wait…what? Don’t worry, we’ll explain in this episode. Learn all about these fall favorites with tips for growing, storing, and incorporating them into your fall décor. Featured shrub: Kodiak Spiced diervilla.
Winter can be a drag, but having winter interest in the garden can really brighten up a gardener’s mood. We all appreciate winter interest in the garden, but often, we forget to plan for it. Hear some timely advice on what you can plant in fall to make your winter more enjoyable.
Landscape designers can have a hefty list of features they require in a plant for it to be used in their projects. Durability, reliability, low-maintenance, structural, and most importantly, they have to be beautiful! Discover the plants that landscape designers love to use and why they love to use them.
Description: Whether it be wood, metal, or a living fence, garden backdrops are essential to creating depth and structure in the garden. Get design tips, creative ideas, and of course, plant suggestions for creating backdrops throughout the garden. Featured shrub: Laced Up elderberry.
Published 2025-08-30
Now the Fun Begins! Dreaming and Scheming Future Garden Plans
43 min
Transcript
Summer is winding down, cool mornings are rolling in, and now is the time to dream and scheme plans for your garden. Rick and Stacey discuss design ideas, garden tasks, and ways to prepare for your fall to-do list. Feature shrub: Kodiak Red 2.0 diervilla.
Using green in the garden feels a bit like a no brainer, but when it’s done intentionally, the difference in outcome is clear. Learn about plants with unique green foliage and flowers, and how you can incorporate them in your garden. Featured shrub: Invincibelle Sublime smooth hydrangea.
Architectural follies are decorative, non-essential structures often found in gardens or landscapes. We discuss garden follies all over the world and talk with Lisa Roper, horticulturist with Chanticleer Gardens, about how they use garden art and a garden folly to enhance their stunning gardens. Featured shrub: Glow Stick Japanese holly.
While we’re in the height of summer, it’s a good idea to think about what you can do in the garden now to get ready for fall. Featured tree: Pink Snow Showers flowering cherry.
Whether it’s an awe-worthy plant, a love of wildlife, or wanting to create a beautiful space, there are so many reasons to garden. Hear what inspires Stacey and Rick to garden. Featured shrub, Lemony Lace elderberry.
Revelation: a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way. Hear what Stacey and Rick’s “Ah-Ha!” moments have been throughout their gardening journey. Featured shrub: Gatsby Pink oakleaf hydrangea.
Rejuvenation: the action or process of giving new energy or vigor to something. We talk about ways you can revamp your plants and set them up for future success. Featured shrub: Winecraft Black smokebush.
Take your garden to the next level! We talk about plants that add height to the garden and plants that grow at higher elevations.
Succulents have been gaining popularity in recent years, for understandable reasons! They are versatile, colorful, and unique. Join us as we talk about how to be successful with succulents and deep dive into hardy succulents. Featured shrub: Chicklet Gold Tecoma.
Some plants can be considered “drama queens,” unafraid to show that they are unhappy with something in their environment. Knowing these plants and what these signs mean will help you to better understand what’s going on in your garden. Read the tea leaves with us and learn the signals these trigger plants are putting out. Featured shrub: Pinky Winky panicle hydrangea.
As deer populations and pressures have grown, so has the damage that they do in the garden. We talk deer resistant plants, ways to help alleviate deer damage, and interview Professor Alexandra Locher, with Grand Valley State University, on what is being done about the deer problem in Kent County, MI. Featured shrub: Sweet Emotion abelia.
As Stacey always says, when in doubt, don't do it! Whether it’s prepping, planting, or pruning, we discuss what not to do and why you shouldn’t do it. Featured shrub: Let’s Dance Big Band Reblooming bigleaf hydrangea.
Whether it's a gardening task, plants to plant, or garden design - don't overthink it, just do it! We give our list of things to just do in the garden.
Big plants hold a special fascination: watching them shoot from nearly nothing to truly epic proportions in a matter of weeks never gets old. Learn our favorite big plants! Featured shrub: Miss Violet butterfly bush.
Combining plants is more art than science. Join us as we offer ideas and dispel myths on companion planting. Featured plant: Happy Jack Purple clematis.
If you were stranded on an island, what plants would you need for survival? That's our topic for today. Featured shrub, Flavorette Pear’d rose.
Hanging baskets never go out of style! Learn how to choose the best one and care for it like a pro. Featured shrub: Fairytrail White Cascade Hydrangea.
Moon gardens have been gaining popularity and for a good reason! White flowers are great for creating an ethereal look in the garden, particularly in the early morning and evening hours. Hear about some of our favorite white flowering plants. Featured shrub: Oso Easy Ice Bay.
Not too big, not too small, but just right! We discuss plants that not only have sought after habits, but also have multiple season interest, and tie together the landscape. Featured shrub: Wine & Spirits weigela.
Nativars - a contraction of "native" and "cultivar" - get a bad rep from some people. But is it deserved? Find out the facts and opinions surrounding these controversial plants.
Tis the season - for pruning! We know that's scary to some, so we're giving you the basics you need to make pruning decisions in your landscape. Featured shrub: Perfecto Mundo Double Purple reblooming azalea.
They're short-lived but much anticipated! Spring ephemerals are a sign of sunnier days and warmer weather, which we could really use here in West Michigan. Featured shrub: Legend of the Small fothergilla.
Spring is here and with it, the return of garden tasks. Join us to learn what to do and when to do it. Featured shrub: Show Off Sugar Baby forsythia.
Every gardener has at least one plant they can’t stand. Whether it’s due to aesthetics, invasiveness, or a bad experience, some plants just aren’t for everyone. Find out what plants we hate and hear what listeners had to say about the plants that make their “no thanks” list.
So much ground to cover! Learn about plants that work well and ones that are best to avoid when it comes to ground covers. Featured shrub: Spilled Wine weigela.
Looking for the toughest, most durable plants for your garden or landscape? They're in this episode! Featured shrub: Low Scape Mound aronia.
Lavender is one of the most beloved garden plants - and also one of the most frustrating. That's why we're devoting an episode to growing it! Featured shrub: Bloomerang Dark Purple lilac.
We're about to enter the prime period for moving shrubs and perennials, so get the dirt on what you can - and shouldn't - move. Featured shrub: Wee Bit Grumpy hydrangea.
Do you want more plants than you technically have room for? We're sharing where you can bend the rules a bit and ignore the plant tag. Featured shrub: Stonehenge yew.
We're sharing our list of overachievers - plants with maximum beauty and performance but minimal maintenance and fussing. Join us for ideas for your spring planting list!
Sprouting is the fast, easy, low cost way to grow your own healthy nutritious food indoors - even in winter! Join us to learn about sprouting + microgreens. Featured shrub: Soft Serve chamaecyparis.
Warm up this winter with the 2025 Houseplant of the Year! We also talk tropical hibiscus and a mystery plant predator. Featured shrub: Bambino Variegated Orange bougainvillea.
Introducing the 2025 Proven Winners Annuals of the Year! Learn why these high-performance annuals deserve a spot in your garden. Featured shrub: Sky Dew Gold ornamental blueberry.
Introducing the 2025 Proven Winners Perennials of the Year! Learn why these high-performance perennials deserve a spot in your garden. Featured shrub: Spice Baby viburnum.
New Year, new plants! We're talking what's new for 2025, as well as the Proven Winners Shrubs of the Year. Featured shrub: Kintzley's Ghost honeysuckle.
The garden is a great teacher, and every season is different, so we're reflecting on what we learned in 2024. Featured shrub: Glow Girl birch leaf spirea.
The look, scent, and taste of citrus fruits helps to keep the winter bright and cheery, so in this episode, we celebrate all things citrus. Featured shrub: Juiced Orange jessamine.
Got a gardener in your life - or maybe the gardener is you? Join us as we share gift ideas and suggestions for the horticulturally inclined. Featured shrub: Invincibelle Wee White hydrangea.
The Gardening Simplified team recently vacationed (separately!) in some pretty fabulously plant-filled locations: Costa Rica, Australia, and Japan. Join us for a fun chat on what we saw and loved.
You often see plants that have been protected somehow for winter, but is it really necessary? Join us to find out if and when you should protect something in the garden. Featured shrub: Sky Box Japanese holly.
Make the holidays more special with place settings and arrangements from your garden. We share familiar and unconventional ideas for decorating. Featured shrub: Ringo Double Pink rose.
Whether it's a specific plant or an entire vibe you create, there's something nostalgic about gardens and gardening. Celebrate that with us in this episode. Featured shrub, Illuminati Tower mockorange.
Moving plants that can't tolerate your winter indoors is a time-honored tradition. Learn about what you can move in and what to expect. Featured shrub: Jazz Hands Variegated loropetalum.
To celebrate the end of spooky season, we asked our listeners to share their garden horror stories, and you delivered big time! Join us to hear their stories, as well as a few of our own.
Got a plant that's not working in its spot? Bust a move! We share why fall is ideal for transplanting, and how to do it. Featured shrub: Diamond Ball clematis.
Go beyond mums and maples to discover the many other plants that make fall such a colorful, memorable season. Featured shrub: Tres Amigos abelia.
Leaves get all the attention in fall, but the many shrubs with colorful and unique berries deserve to be celebrated, and that's what we'll do. Featured shrub: Pearl Glam beautyberry.
You'll never regret planting flower bulbs in fall - join us in this episode to learn why these easy to plant, easy to grow flowers offer so much. Featured shrub: Kodiak Fresh diervilla.
Using the concepts of repetition and rhythm is one of the easiest ways to up your garden or landscape design game. Learn how in this episode! Featured shrub: Tater Tot arborvitae.
Investing time in your lawn, garden, or landscape now can pay big dividends come spring - learn what you can do to save time and get great results! Featured shrub: Double Play Red spirea.
Rick talks about his love for ornamental grasses and why they play a central role in his very sandy, very dry, and very deer-filled garden. Featured shrub: Sister Redhead Scotch broom.
Is the grass always greener on the other side? Probably - so we're exploring the difference between gardening in cold and hot climates. Featured shrub: Center Stage Pink crapemyrtle.
Less work in the garden means more time to enjoy it, so we're dedicating this pre-Labor Day episode to labor-saving ideas. Featured shrub: Red Balloon viburnum.
Soil is a vital and valuable natural resource - it's not just dirty ol' dirt. That's why we're celebrating it throughout this episode. Featured shrub: Lo & Behold Pink Micro Chip butterfly bush.
Published 2024-08-17
That’s Just Peachy! Using Peach in the Garden | Talking About Summerific Hibiscus
53 min
Transcript
The color peach, whether in foliage or flowers, is a useful blender in the garden. Join us for a celebration of this happy hue! Featured shrub: Ringo All Star rose.
Published 2024-08-10
In Praise of Panicle Hydrangeas | South vs North Gardening with Dr. Allan Armitage
56 min
Transcript
Panicle hydrangeas are dominating the landscape right now - learn just how easy to grow they really are. Plus, an interview with Dr. Allan Armitage on North vs South gardening. Featured shrub: Limelight hydrangea.
We're celebrating our 100th episode with the concept of "gardentopia" - creating a dreamy place to escape the world, right in your own backyard. Featured shrub: Cedar Rapids false cypress.
Growing food doesn't necessarily mean turning your yard into a farm: there are many ways to mix edible plants in with your garden and landscape. We share ours and provide new ideas. Featured shrub: Paraplu Pink Ink rose of Sharon.
Hydrangea season is in full swing, so we take the opportunity to clear up the mystery surrounding summer's favorite flowering shrub. Featured shrub: Invincibelle Lace smooth hydrangea.
Yes, you can have a pup and a garden too! We share listeners’ advice, as well as our very own Adriana Robinson, on how they make it work. Featured shrub: Funshine abelia.
Regrets? We've had a few, and maybe you have too, which is why we're dedicating this episode to the things we wish we had - and hadn't - done in the garden. Featured shrub: Let's Dance Arriba reblooming hydrangea.
Don't like spiders and snakes? You're not alone! They are beneficial for gardens, though, so we're sharing advice on coexistence and safe, simple management. Featured shrub: Gatsby Moon oakleaf hydrangea.
Some plants play starring roles in the landscape, while others play supporting ones. Meet these valuable plants and learn to use them in the landscape. Featured shrub: Happy Face White potentilla.
Plants are naturally dynamic, but some undergo dramatic natural changes in flower color and leaf color through the season. Learn what they are and why they're so amazing. Featured shrub: Simply Scentsational calycanthus.
Ah, weeds - maybe the #1 thing that discourages people from gardening. But weeds are interesting and become a lot easier to manage when you apply some basic IPM principles. Featured shrub: Sugar Tip rose of Sharon.
Join us for a celebration of all things hummingbird! Three outstanding guests share their expertise on hummingbirds and welcoming them to your garden. Featured shrub: Snippet Dark Pink weigela.
What makes a plant easy to grow? Planting it in the right place, for one. We'll elaborate on that and share other tips for selecting and growing plants to simplify gardening! Featured shrub: Little Quick Fire panicle hydrangea.
Decorators take a unique approach to plant shopping: they know what they want, they get it, they plant it. We discuss how you can use this approach to make plant shopping easier and more fun. Featured shrub: Anna's Magic Ball arborvitae.
The month of May and lilacs seem to go hand in hand, so we're devoting this episode to everything that makes them special. Featured shrub: Bloomerang Purpink lilac.
Rick and Stacey share the stories of those who have influenced their horticultural perspective in life. We'd love to hear about yours!
A listener recently commented, "Shade is hard," and we agree. So in this episode, we simplify it and provide plant-based solutions. Plus, learn when it might be time to replace a plant in your landscape. Featured shrub: Sweet & Lo Sweet Box.
Ultimately, a garden is just combinations of plants - but how to put them together? We share tips and ideas on building a beautiful border. Plus, hydrangeas oozing sap and maple helicopters. Featured shrub: Flavorette Honey Apricot rose.
The term "beneficial insects" gets thrown around a lot but what does it really mean? We explore the concept and share which ones you're likely to find in your backyard, and how to best support them. Featured plant: Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip Jr.' butterfly bush.
There's lots growing on in the garden now, so join us for timely tips on lawn care, weed management, soil testing, and more. Mike Connor is our guest, sharing his expertise on trees and bees. Featured shrub: Yuki Snowflake deutzia.
The internet is teeming with fake AI-generated plants and digitally manipulated photos - we give tips on how to spot them. Plus, pruning dogwoods and Birdman is back! Featured shrub: Invincibelle Mini Mauvette smooth hydrangea.
Wondering how to spend your garden budget this season? We've got you covered with our can't-miss plant lists! Plus, helpful tips on pruning and transplanting. Featured shrub: El Niño desert orchid.
The right tools for the task are just as important in the garden as they are in the shop. Learn our must-haves and favorites. Plus, pruning whorled hydrangeas and Supertunias. Featured plant: 'Aphrodite' sweetshrub.
From bugs to bunnies, pests are part and parcel of gardening. And IPM - integrated pest management - gives us the tools to resolve issues using smarts and strategy. Learn what IPM is and how it can help you problem-solve, indoors and out. Featured plant: Ginger Wine ninebark.
Published 2024-03-02
Cool Plants for Wet Soils and Celebrating Meteorological Spring!
43 min
Transcript
Whether it's from poor drainage or a high water table, wet soils can be hard to deal with. But there are lots of beautiful plants that will thrive in them! Learn what they are and other tips for dealing with soggy situations. Featured plant: Sugar Shack buttonbush.
Should you be pruning now? Today we talk about what you should prune in spring and what you should not. Hear how this unusual spring is affecting honey bees and tapping maple trees for maple syrup with beekeeper and expert, Don Snoeyink. Featured plant: Rise Up Lilac Days climbing rose.
Published 2024-02-17
The When and Where of Growing from Seed & Interview on Leafjoy® Houseplants
58 min
Transcript
When spring fever hits, the temptation to start seeds becomes irresistible. But when is the right time? What's the right equipment? We'll tell you! Featured plant: Still Waters clematis.
Are those recommendations for light on plant tags arbitrary, or do they mean something? Find out in this episode, where we also discuss spring fertilizing and animal weather prognosticators. Featured plant: Fairytrail Bride Cascade Hydrangea.
Published 2024-02-03
Drought Tolerant Plants & Taking the Irritation Out of Irrigation - Interview with Tim DeGeest
63 min
Transcript
Drought: it's dusty. It's dry. And plants can help make it a whole lot prettier. Learn about what makes a plant drought tolerant, and how you can alleviate drought with a DIY drip irrigation system. Featured plant: Double Take Scarlet flowering quince.
How many houseplants do you have? Whether it's one or one hundred, we're celebrating the indoor gardening renaissance. Plus, learn the secret to success with gardenias indoors (and outdoors), and hear about the rise in bonsai theft. Featured plant: Steady As She Goes gardenia.
A garden planted in layers is dynamic, interesting, and beautiful. Learn what it means and how to do it! Plus, plant cold hardiness, pruning elderberries, and biophilia. Featured plant: Cesky Gold dwarf birch.
Meet the 2024 Proven Winners all-star team: the Plants of the Year! Learn about each variety and how they are chosen. Plus, causes of brown arborvitae, planting bulbs in January, and the Pantone Color of the Year. Featured shrub: Fizzy Mizzy itea.
Do you have new year’s resolutions for 2024? Or maybe, your new year’s resolution is to avoid new year’s resolutions – either way, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Learn about different types of fertilizers, which is best for your plants, and when to apply it. Featured plant: Just Chill Red Tip camellia.
Do you have a gardening playlist? Listen in for our favorite plant and outdoor-related songs. Plus, using pine needles as mulch, planting around black walnuts, and a winter update from Birdman Bill Stovall. Featured plant: White Album wintercreeper.
Evergreens lift our spirits during the holidays and carry our landscape through winter. Learn the two types of evergreens, and the benefits they bring to the landscape. Plus, snowload on trees and shrubs and a guest on herbal teas. Featured plant: Castle Spire blue holly.
In mid-November, the USDA put out a new hardiness zone map, the first since 2012. Learn what's new in it, and why, and what it might mean for what you can grow. Plus, hydrangea growing questions and a waterless waterpark. Featured plant: Blue Diddley vitex.
December is here, and along with it, holiday decorating. Grace your containers, windowboxes, and maybe even a few spots indoors with cut branches and greens! Hear our suggestions and get advice from designer Deborah Silver.
Cape Cod is synonymous with hydrangeas, but as Rick discovered at this year's Hydrangea festival, polar conditions threatened the display. We talk hydrangeas that stand up to the cold and other solutions. Plus, hydrangeas blooming in fall and javalinas. Featured plant: Tuff Stuff hydrangea.
When cooking and eating vegetables, it can be easy to forget they started as plants. We discuss the joys of growing veg and sharing them on your holiday table - and maybe even getting kids to eat them. Author and ethnobotanist Lisa Rose joins us to talk about her new book, Urban Foraging. Featured plant: Arctic Fire Yellow dogwood.
Gardening with native plants gets a lot of talk these days, but what does it really mean? We explore the possibilities, benefits, and myths of gardening with natives in what may be our most controversial episode yet. Featured plant: Low Scape Snowfire aronia.
Published 2023-11-04
Autumn Leaves Abound. Here’s How to Use Them to Your Advantage
41 min
Transcript
They're colorful, they're abundant, they're...useful? Yes! Fallen leaves are perfect for improving soil. Find out what to do with yours, plus, mystery fungus, a fence-climbing Chihuahua, and new vocabulary words about leaves. Featured plant: Tiny Wine ninebark.
Whatever your reason for moving a shrub or perennial - the site has become too shady, the plant outgrew the spot, or you just don't like where it is - now is the perfect time to move it. Learn how in this episode. Plus, overwintering plants in containers and fall foliage that can be seen from space. Featured plant: Oso Easy Italian Ice rose.
A garden path gets you from point A to point B, but it's the path materials, the shape of the path, and of course, the plants, that make the journey worthwhile. Hear our favorite path materials, along with bumblebee pollination, crabgrass prevention, and why Rick made an Amazon delivery driver cry. Featured plant: Midnight Sun weigela.
No one likes to make a mistake, but the mistakes you make in gardening tend to be the lessons that stick with you most. Hear the mistakes Rick and Stacey have made and what they've learned from them. We end the show with an extended in-studio interview with the one and only Birdman Bill Stovall. Featured plant: Let's Dance Can Do hydrangea.
In this week’s episode, Stacey and Rick discuss what perennials you should be pruning in fall, and which you shouldn’t. Stacey reminds gardeners when in doubt, don’t prune! If you’ve noticed more acorns this year, it isn’t just you - Rick talks about Oak Mast and explains what’s happening. Plus, learn why a rose of Sharon may not bloom and more in Questions Answered.
It's time to plant fall bulbs! Learn how you can be successful selecting, planting, and growing bulbs. Stacey shares a shrub perfect for planting next to your bulbs for a stellar spring display. Stacey and Rick talk about gardening next to Black Walnut trees and how to handle the presence of juglone in soil.
As gardeners, we tend to enjoy working in our gardens. But we should also take the time to enjoy being in them, looking at them, and appreciating our hard work. Plus, gravel in flower beds and removing annuals in fall. Featured plant: Gatsby Gal hydrangea.
Thank you to all of our listeners who send us in their gardening questions! In this bonus episode, Stacey and Rick answer questions from the mailbag that haven’t had a chance to be answered on the show yet.
Published 2023-09-16
Rocking the Establishment: What It Means to Get a Plant “Established”
49 min
Transcript
"Once it's established" is oft repeated about plants but seldom explained. In today's episode, we change that and cover what it actually means. Plus, Japanese beetle resistance and garden trends. Featured plant: Kodiak Orange diervilla.
As we head into our second year, we look back at all that we’ve discussed on and look forward towards what’s to come. Our Plant on Trial is one the Fonz would approve of – Perfecto Mundo® Double Pink reblooming azalea. Learn about hydrophobic soil and whether or not you should protect your panicle hydrangea in winter.
Published 2023-09-02
Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Plants (Plants You Want to Touch and Ones You Don’t)
42 min
Transcript
So many plants have an inviting, touchable texture - we share our favorites, as well as those you should definitely avoid touching. Plus, a beautiful, bouncy hydrangea, pruning boxwood, and printing photos on foliage. Featured plant: Little Lime Punch hydrangea.
Edging your garden beds is a crucial part of maintaining a landscape, but a good edge? That's easier said than done. Find out why, plus we talk favorite vines, deterring dogs, and Stinky the Owl.
Published 2023-08-19
Building Better Relationships With Your Neighbors Through Plants and Preventing Powdery Mildew
42 min
Transcript
Do you know your neighbors? If not, plants can change that! Plant something that sparks conversation and make connections within your community. Plus, dealing with powdery mildew, cleaning pruners, and another bear story. Featured plant: Sweet Summer Love clematis.
We love self-sowers! Far from weeds, these plants pop up where they will thrive best, making you look like a design superstar. Plus, saving tomato seed and an interview with PHS vice president for horticulture, Andrew Bunting. Featured plant: Sunny Boulevard St. John's-wort.
Published 2023-08-05
Plants That Beat the Heat and Interview With Brie The Plant Lady
54 min
Transcript
It’s not just people that get sunburned, plants can too! Learn about damage that sun can do to plants, how you can avoid it, and about plants’ natural sunscreen. Rick and Stacey interview with a special guest, Brie Arthur aka Brie The Plant Lady. Brie talks about an outstanding tomato and the benefits of incorporating edibles into the garden.
Dive into the world of blue plants and learn how bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas can turn blue. In Plants on Trial, Stacey introduces a new, easy to grow blue hydrangea. Rick discusses news regarding rising temperatures and a 97 year old who finally got the tractor she deserves.
Yes, summer gardening is actually harder. Today we explore problems gardeners are facing in the dog days of summer and tips to work through them. In Plants on Trial, Stacey and Rick talk about a plant that makes gardening easy. Learn about plant reversion and what to do if you notice it.
Published 2023-07-15
Mid-Summer Vegetable Tips, Junipers as Hedging, and Growing Castor Beans
41 min
Transcript
It's the height of summer, which means the vegetable garden is in full swing. Learn how to keep it looking, and producing, its best. Plus, growing showy castor bean plants, and the elements of curb appeal. Featured plant: Gin Fizz juniper.
Published 2023-07-08
How to Pamper Your Plants, a Revolutionary Rose, and Interviewing Dr. Judson LeCompte
52 min
Transcript
Learn various ways you can give your plants a spa day and why you shouldn’t add Epsom salts in your garden. At Last, a groundbreaking rose is put on trial and Dr. Judson LeCompte joins us to talk about plant genetics and the differences between gardening in the South vs North.
Published 2023-07-01
Do Plants Repel Mosquitoes? Plus: Why Your Hydrangea Isn’t Blooming, and Meet One That Definitely Does
43 min
Transcript
Do plants really repel mosquitoes? We look at the evidence. Plus, learn why your hydrangea might not be blooming, and how police used a YouTube video to save ducklings. Featured plant: Incrediball Blush hydrangea.
Published 2023-06-24
South vs. North Gardening, Managing Fire Ants, and Garden Photography With Adriana
49 min
Transcript
Are you a Southern gardener longing for the North? Or perhaps the other way around? We break down the pros and cons of gardening in hot climates. We move on to a gardener with fire ants in her potted lemon tree, then Adriana, our producer, shares garden photography tips. Featured plant: Center Stage Red crapemyrtle.
Published 2023-06-17
Vivacious Variegation, the Truth About Milky Spore, and Plant Breeder Megan Mathey
46 min
Transcript
Variegation: love it or hate it, we discuss this unique plant mutation from a scientific and aesthetic standpoint. Plus, we dive into the truth about controlling Japanese beetles using milky spore, and end with an interview with Proven Winners ColorChoice plant breeder, Megan Mathey. Featured shrub: My Monet weigela.
Published 2023-06-10
Watering Advice, a Game-Changing Spirea, Native Ferns, and the “Chelsea Chop”
44 min
Transcript
We're suffering through dryness not seen in 100+ years here in Michigan, so watering is on our minds. Join us as we talk water conservation tips, a high performance, drought tolerant spirea, controlling cucumber beetles, and the time-honored tradition of the "Chelsea Chop."
Published 2023-06-03
Favorite Herbs, the Secret to Cilantro, and a New, Non-toxic Way to Manage Slugs
43 min
Transcript
Whether it's just a pot of basil or a whole garden's-worth, having fragrant herbs as close as your backyard is luxury. Learn our favorites, plus how to grow cilantro successfully, a trick for more chives, and a brand new slug solution from Oregon State University.
Published 2023-05-27
Advanced Annuals, Innovative Plants, Plant a Tree, Save a Bee! - Interviewing a Pollinator Expert
45 min
Transcript
Planting annuals is one of the most joyful parts of gardening - listen in as we share our thoughts on this time-honored tradition, and our favorite plants. Plus, learn what it means to be an innovative plant and how to manage hydrangea leaftiers. We end with an interview with Mike Connor, who shares his extensive knowledge of pollinators with us.
Published 2023-05-20
Why the Right Soil Matters, Hardening Off Plants, and Avoiding Oak Wilt
41 min
Transcript
Learn why the right soil matters, especially when it comes to plants like our Plant on Trial today, Dandy Man® Purple rhododendron. Now is a great time to start hardening off plants! Hear tips on how to get your plants ready for their new home outdoors. In Questions Answered, we talk about the danger of Oak Wilt and how you can help avoid this dreaded disease.
Published 2023-05-13
The Best Plants to Give Mom for Mother’s Day and a Rose Unlike Any Other
43 min
Transcript
Gifting plants to Mom on Mother’s Day has been a go-to for most people. In this episode, Stacey and Rick talk about what plants make a good gift, including a revolutionary new rose. Find out if you can grow garlic and spring and still get a harvest. In Branching News, Rick talks about a “novel” idea if you enjoy houseplants and reading.
Published 2023-05-06
The Fundamentals of Container Gardening and the Birdman is Back!
48 min
Transcript
Container gardening has come a long way in the last few years! Learn our tips and favorite plants for containers, plus how to use your containers for flowering shrubs and evergreens. And by popular demand, Birdman Bill Stovall is back! The Birdman gives an update on his Loons, talks about a few other quirky feathered friends, and discusses migration season.
Published 2023-04-29
Flower Farming, Forsythia, and Fabulous Container Design Tips with Renee Clermont
42 min
Transcript
In today’s episode, we talk about the cut flower trend. Rick and Stacey talk about the rising popularity of growing your own cut flowers and which types they recommend. Our Plant on Trial this week is a sure sign that spring is here, Show Off® forsythia. Get helpful tips on designing and growing plants in containers during our interview with Renee Clermont from Second Nature Designs.
Learn all about perennials in today's episode! Stacey and Rick discuss the best care practices, what their favorite perennials are, and why. Stacey highlights a compact butterfly bush that fits perfectly into any perennial garden. In Branching News, Rick tells us about a moose on the loose!
Spring blooming trees are ubiquitous and a welcome splash of color before warmer days start to come in. Stacey and Rick talk all about spring blooming trees and highlight the beautiful and shade tolerant Golden Shadows® Pagoda Dogwood. Learn about fun facts about frogs and how they help a garden's ecosystem during our interview with amphibian expert Professor Raymond Gates, also known as "The Gator."
New to gardening? Wondering how to get started? This is the show for you! We talk best plants for beginners and how falling in love with a plant can kick off your garden journey. Plus, the perfect hydrangea for beginners, a rose of Sharon dropping its flowers, and a cow on a tennis court.
In this week’s episode, we put the spotlight on the much-loved vine, the clematis! Stacey and Rick discuss care practices and easy to grow varieties, like our Plant on Trial, Pink Mink® clematis. In our Questions Answered segment, Stacey and Rick break down and simplify composting. And in Branching News, find out what dinner hosts stress over and what plant is stopping traffic.
It's finally, officially spring, and the weather's vine! We dedicate much of today's show to climbers and twiners, and spotlight a woody vine in the midst of an identity crisis. Stay to the end for a fascinating interview with birdman Bill Stovall, where we talk loons, cranes, bluebirds, and orioles.
Published 2023-03-18
Living on the Hedge - Best Plants for Hedges And Composting Explained - Interview With Justin Morgan From Morgan Composting
44 min
Let's talk hedges! Whether they're evergreen or deciduous, used to screen off an ugly view or to add structure to your landscape, they're incredibly useful. Plus, learn about a fast-growing arborvitae for hedges, growing ferns indoors, and an interview from a professional composter.
This week we talk about one of the feistiest little birds out there, the hummingbird! Learn how you can help support hummingbirds - from plants to use in your garden to food you can easily make yourself. Our plant on trial this week is not only great for hummingbirds, but for our fellow gardeners in those hot USDA zones (looking at you, 8-10!). In branching news, hear about “The Age of the Brussels Sprouts.”
Published 2023-03-04
Tips for Selecting and Growing Tomatoes and Shrub Madness the Ultimate Plant Bracket
42 min
Spring is in the air and in the studio! Today we talk all about tomatoes, including best practices for selecting and growing. Instead of putting just one plant on trial today, we’re putting 64 plants on trial in our Shrub Madness competition. Learn what Shrub Madness is all about, how you can participate, and hear about the awesome plant prizes. We’ve talked about eating in bed, but today we talk about what people are eating in their showers.
Specimen plants are those that transform your landscape from one that merely exists to one that grabs everyone's attention. We discuss our favorites, those that have been little more than fads, and those that have truly stood the test of time, like the oak tree that Olympic champion Cornelius Johnson planted outside his Los Angeles home. Plus, we talk spring emergence of bulbs and Mr. Mustard Ural false-spirea, answer listener questions on lilacs, and the latest on Central Park's escaped owl, Flaco.
Published 2023-02-18
Favorite Fragrant Plants and Planning for Canning With the Canning Diva, Diane Devereaux
42 min
It's the fragrance show! Join us as we discuss the phenomenon of fragrance, our favorite fragrant plants (including today's plant on trial, Scentara Double Blue lilac). Finally, we start "planning for canning" with The Canning Diva, Diane Devereaux.
Published 2023-02-11
How to Keep House Plants Happy, When to Prune Mountain Hydrangeas, and Much More!
42 min
Whether you call them indoor plants or house plants, we've got the tips to keep them looking their best - although that may involve mayonnaise (seriously!). We also talk about a super cold tolerant native shrub that blooms all summer, gardening with your partner, and a California woodpecker who has been very, very busy.
Butterflies visiting your backyard is one of the true joys of gardening - learn what to plant and how to maintain your garden to make it a true haven. Plus, bees eating mushrooms to heal themselves? Yes! Hear all about it in this episode of Gardening Simplified.
Published 2023-01-28
The Buzz About Bees – How to Make Your Garden Bee Friendly, Interview with Beekeeper Don Snoeyink
60 min
It's the bee show! Rick and Stacey talk bees: honeybees, bumblebees, native bees, through the show and with special guest, beekeeper Don Snoeyink. Find out what bees eat through the season and what to plant to make your yard bee-friendly.
Published 2023-01-21
Dormancy vs Hibernation, Shrubs that Hit Snooze on Spring, and Frozen Succulents
41 min
Learn why plants go dormant yet animals hibernate, meet a flowering shrub that likes to sleep late on spring, plus succulent rescue after a freeze, and a harrowing video showing a man rescuing a deer with a paint can stuck on its head.
Published 2023-01-14
2023 Plants of the Year, Bulbs Emerging in Winter, and the World’s Oldest Chicken
40 min
Meet the 2023 Plants of the Year, learn about a colorful new option for attracting hummingbirds, why you needn't panic if your bulbs are emerging in January, and the antics of Elvis, the crocodile who stole a lawnmower.
Published 2023-01-08
Moon Gardens, Small Spaces, Cut Flowers – 2023 Gardening Trends and Puffer Fish® Panicle Hydrangea
40 min
Moon gardens, small spaces, growing your own cut flowers: these are 2023's garden trends! Plus, learn about Puffer Fish panicle hydrangea, whether you can really grow a mini-forest of pine trees from a pine cone, and a yellow cardinal sighting in Tennessee.
Published 2022-12-31
Lessons From the Garden, Viburnum Pollination, and New Year’s Traditions
40 min
From hot peppers to hot weather, Rick and Stacey look back on what they learned in the garden in 2022. Plus, viburnum pollination, houseplant questions from listeners, and New Year's food traditions from Spain and Grand Haven, Michigan.
Buzzing bees and hummingbirds, the wind in tall grass: these are our favorite garden sounds! Plus, learn about North Pole arborvitae, pruning redbuds, and what it means to be doniferous.
Published 2022-12-17
Birds, Berries, and Astronomical vs Meteorological Winter with Meteorologist Ellen Bacca
39 min
Join us to learn about the joys of birdwatching in winter and learn what to plant to attract more of them to your yard. Plus, we interview meteorologist Ellen Bacca on the difference between astronomical and meteorological winter.
Gather 'round for the Celtic mythological tale of the Oak King and the Holly King while learning the surprising facts about oaks in the UK. Plus: native holly, plant spacing, and more.
Roses have come a long way - find out why you may no longer need to protect them over winter. Plus, experience the most enticing sound in the garden, get some holiday arrangement inspiration, and find out how panicle hydrangeas are getting easier to grow and enjoy.
Got deer? We've got plant suggestions! Plus, we talk about the beauty of boxwood, the benefits of mulch, and amazing owls.
Learn to make festive arrangements from what’s growing in your own backyard, a colorful, easy-care, native shrub, and more in this episode of Gardening Simplified.
Shrubs in containers over winter? In this climate? Yes, it's possible! Learn how, what to plant, and why. Plus, meet one of our most cold-tolerant evergreens, what it means to have "moist, well-drained soil," and a question on pruning hydrangeas - the first of many, we're sure!
What in the world does "frim" mean, and what does it have to do with compost? Find out in this episode, as well as learning about our native oakleaf hydrangea, concerns about planting garlic, ground covers for sandy spots, and what IPM stands for and how it can help you manage insects and other pests without burning down your house.
In this episode, we talk cannas, planting and growing garlic (it's surprisingly easy!), a fabulous native viburnum for your landscape, and we answer listener questions on planting bulbs, privacy hedges where deer are an issue, and managing yucca.
Did you know that evergreens are not truly evergreen? Learn why it’s normal to see pines and arborvitaes turn yellow and drop their needles in autumn. We also talk Metasequoia glyptostroboides, a living plant fossil, Temple of Bloom Heptacodium miconioides, seven-son flower, how to get rid of English ivy as well as how to get it to grow, and the salad-eating habits of the average American.
Fall color is at its most fabulous right now: learn the science behind it, and why each season is different. We present Legend of the Fall fothergilla, which brings the full spectrum of fall color to your garden. We answer listener questions, including revisiting a mysterious green pepper problem, and talk about a giant potato, Daylight Saving Time, and the cutest little tree library we’ve ever seen.
In this episode, learn about decumbent growth and get to know Low Scape Mound aronia, a native flowering shrub that exemplifies the concept. Learn how planting mophead hydrangeas can discourage insects from visiting your home, and growing hydrangeas for shade. We’re always ready to answer your garden questions, so don’t hesitate to reach out!
Rick and Stacey’s discussion of the botanical phenomenon of heterophylly leads to sharing facts about the world’s record sassafras tree in Owensboro, Kentucky; Tortuga juniper, which also exhibits heterophylly, gets put on trial, we help listeners troubleshoot some issues with their peppers and zucchini this season, and in Branching News, learn about this year’s world record pumpkin, a deer caught in a hammock, and the elements of curb appeal.
Fall is in the air on this episode of Gardening Simplified! Rick and Stacey talk about bioluminescent mushrooms, marram grass (Ammophila breviligulata), and also define the word “peduncle.” We talk about The Velvet Fog smokebush, a plant normally known for its summer display that also boasts excellent fall color. Rick and Stacey answer listener questions about apples, pruning butterfly bush, and rose of Sharon seed pods. Finally, in branching news, we talk about sorghum replacing corn in mazes, a Palestinian farmer’s discovery of an ancient mosaic as he planted a tree, and King Charles III’s new perfume.
In this episode of the Gardening Simplified Show, Stacey and Rick talk about how fall is for planting and why Mums are synonymous with fall planting. There are other great plants however for fall color and on today’s show, Stacey will teach Rick how to say Symphoricarpos, a plant with great fall color.
Take me to your weeder: Stacey and Rick discuss two prevalent weeds right now, nutsedge and pokeweed! When it comes to weeds, they have pull! A reminder that fall is an excellent time of year for weed control including winter annual weeds that germinate in fall. We discuss pokeweed’s stunning appearance.
Finally, a discussion on phytoplasma takes place as nutsedge has been discovered as a host. Yikes! No need to call Dr. Peter Venkman from Ghostbusters; We’ll address it in the branching news segment.
Full Show Notes with links can be found here:
https://gardeningsimplifiedonair.com/episode-2-9-17-22/
Take me to your weeder: Stacey and Rick discuss two prevalent weeds right now, nutsedge and pokeweed! When it comes to weeds, they have pull! A reminder that fall is an excellent time of year for weed control including winter annual weeds that germinate in fall. We discuss pokeweed’s stunning appearance.
Finally, a discussion on phytoplasma takes place as nutsedge has been discovered as a host. Yikes! No need to call Dr. Peter Venkman from Ghostbusters; We’ll address it in the branching news segment.
Full Show Notes with links can be found here:
https://gardeningsimplifiedonair.com/episode-2-9-17-22/
Introducing the Gardening Simplified Show, where Rick and Stacey share their love and knowledge of gardening. In our first episode, we talk about why roses get a new lease on life in autumn, how to keep cats from visiting your yard, and why flower color may fade at the height of summer. In our news segment, learn more about monarch butterflies, the invasive spotted lanternfly, and why some areas of California are paying residents to remove their lawns.
Complete show notes and links for this episode can be found here:
https://gardeningsimplifiedonair.com/episode-1/
Complete show notes and links for this episode can be found here:
https://gardeningsimplifiedonair.com/episode-1/