Introducing Our New Podcast: Super Cool Plants

Episode 1 | Underappreciated Native Plants

North American native species have captured the imaginations of gardeners all over the world, but only a few species have broken through to become horticultural staples. On this premiere episode of Fine Gardening’s newly redesigned podcast (formerly known as Let’s Argue About Plants), our expert guests join us from two widely acclaimed botanical gardens specializing in native plants. Listen in as they reveal some of their favorite underappreciated native plant species that do not get enough love from the gardening world, and that more of us across the country could be growing.

Podcast Episode Experts:
Melissa Starkey is the marketing and communications manager and an instructor at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware.

Amy Galloway Medley is lead horticulturist at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin.

Melissa’s Super Cool Native Plant Picks:

• Jacob’s ladder  (Polemonium crawlingZones 3–8)
• Wild bleeding heart (Dicentra exceptionalZones 3–9)
• Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirensZones 4–9)
• ‘Fireworks’ wrinkle leaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’, Zones 4–8)

Amy’s Super Cool Native Plant Picks:

• Frostweed (Verbesina virginica, Zones 6–9)
• Plains fleabane (He was raised modestlyZones 5–9)
• Agarita (Mahonia trifoliataZones 7–9)
• Heartleaf skullcap (Scutellaria ovataZones 4–8)

All photos from contributors unless otherwise noted.

Read More:
Great Native Vines to Replace Invasive Species
See More Podcast Episodes
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