In this episode of the Plantastic Podcast, I talk with Kelly Holdbrooks of Southern Highlands Reserve about how gardeners and land stewards can actively participate in conservation. Kelly shares how the Reserve’s design philosophy—“don’t mess it up, just polish the stone”—can inspire gardeners to enhance what nature is already doing, rather than overwrite it. We dive into lessons from red spruce restoration, stormwater-smart design, assisted migration, and the biodiversity potential of cultivated spaces. Kelly also offers practical takeaways on observing plant communities, embracing long-term thinking, and building partnerships that multiply your impact. Whether you're managing a native garden, public space, or home landscape, this episode is full of ideas to help you care for plants and place more meaningfully. Enjoy the show!

In this episode of The Plantastic Podcast, Claire shares how her business background shaped her approach to launching Meadow Lab and developing wildflower sod as a scalable, ready-to-plant solution for naturalistic landscapes. We discuss the complexities of meadow design, site preparation, and the species selection process behind her sod mixes. Claire explains how her product adapts to different microclimates and why it offers a practical alternative to plugs and seed. She also shares valuable insights for anyone starting a plant-based business and how storytelling and user experience translate from retail to the garden. Enjoy the show!

In this episode of The Plantastic Podcast, I chat with Rochelle Greayer about her incredible journey from working in rocket science to discovering her passion for garden design after a life-changing visit to the Chelsea Flower Show. We discuss how that pivot led to her founding Pith + Vigor, teaching design online, and most recently, leading the redesign of The American Gardener magazine with her editorial mantra of “surprise, delight, and joy on every page.” Rochelle shares practical ways to find garden inspiration and helps listeners break free from conventional design thinking. We explore creative exercises to uncover personal style, like rapid-fire image selection, and how storytelling can shape meaningful landscapes. She also offers perspective on how to nurture your creative side especially if you're juggling multiple roles. It’s a vibrant, idea-packed episode for anyone who wants to grow both a garden and a creative practice.

I interviewed Sam Hoadley Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center to explore how their plant trials are helping gardeners make more informed, ecologically sound decisions. Sam shared behind-the-scenes insights into how plant trials are structured, what makes a plant a top performer, and how Mt. Cuba balances aesthetic value with wildlife support. We took a dive into the results of reports released like Helenium, Echinacea, Hydrangea arborescens, Carex, Amsonia, and Vernonia, and how certain cultivars still provide substantial ecological benefit. Sam explains how their team interprets plant data for real-world use and why home gardeners might benefit from running their own micro trials. He also teases a few exciting upcoming reports, including evaluations of goldenrods, ferns, oakleaf hydrangeas, and bluestem grasses.

This month on The Plantastic Podcast, I dive into the seasonal rhythms of the garden with phenologist Theresa Crimmins. Theresa shares how a college class sparked her lifelong fascination with plants and how that journey led to her role as director of the USA National Phenology Network. We explore how gardeners can use phenology to build their own bloom calendars, observe seasonal cues, and connect more deeply with their landscapes. She offers practical insights into tracking life cycle events like bud break and flowering, the importance of growing degree days, and how citizen science efforts are helping document climate change impacts. We also discuss the emotional power of observation, the joy of discovering small changes in nature, and how tracking phenology can reconnect us to wonder. Enjoy the show!

This month on The Plantastic Podcast, I have a rich conversation on native plants, design philosophy, and practical garden maintenance with John Magee. John shares how his hands-on experience in landscape installation shaped his approach in design. He discusses the importance of working with and not against client constraints to create gardens that are both ecologically vibrant and visually compelling. We also discuss one of his favorite designs that was recently featured in Fine Gardening magazine, and he shares his approach for plant choice and rain garden design. We also cover his smart, efficient strategies for managing weeds in pollinator plantings, including using weed whackers between plants and burying weeds on site, the need to move away from invasive species, and common myths about native plants being more expensive or difficult to grow. And, of course, we talk about memorable moments on The Native Plant Podcast. Enjoy the show!

This month on The Plantastic Podcast, I interviewed Sarah Sikich and Ryan Watson of The Giving Grove to learn about how to grow better orchards at home and in a public space. We discuss strategies they have used to establish over 650 orchards nationwide, fruit tree selection and efforts to save heirloom varieties, pest management techniques using holistic sprays and kaolin clay, beneficial understory plantings under fruit trees, how to create a thriving soil in orchards, how they help reduce vandalism on trees in public spaces, some of our favorite ways to use fruit, and so much more.

In this month's episode of The Plantastic Podcast, I chat with Jack McCoy about his journey from childhood gardening in Knoxville to becoming a thoughtful garden designer envisioning southeastern landscapes. Jack shared how what began as a chore with his father grew into a deep passion for plants and landscapes. We discuss his pivotal experiences, from designing a rain garden at UT Knoxville to studying at the Inchbald School of Design. Jack also worked at Great Dixter where he learned to revere the soil and to embrace the dynamic nature of planting combinations. He also shares insights from his work at the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, observing plants in their native habitats and developing propagation techniques. Jack explores the concept of mass and void in garden design, his practice of using a notebook to document observations, ideas, and lessons learned, and more. Enjoy the show!

In this episode of the Plantastic Podcast, I chat with Shannon Currey of Izel Native Plants about her path from social psychology to horticulture and how it shaped her passion for plants and landscapes. Shannon discusses the evolution of perennials in horticulture, from purely decorative elements to essential components of resilient, dynamic plantings. We explore the importance of understanding plant behavior, the role of native grasses and sedges in sustainable landscapes, and why living ground covers are a game-changer for gardeners. Shannon also shares practical insights on using tools like wetland indicator status and the heliophily index to make smarter plant choices and embrace the dynamic nature of gardens. Enjoy the show!

In this month's episode of The Plantastic Podcast, I talk with Ben O’Brien to explore his journey into naturalistic planting design. Ben shares how his rural upbringing and a transformative visit to the High Line sparked his passion for blending wild and cultural landscapes. We dive into his innovative grit planting trials, where he tested growing plants in recycled materials with minimal inputs, and the lessons he's learned over a decade of practice. Ben emphasizes the importance of soil, plant layers, and long-term management in creating resilient, biodiverse landscapes. We also talk balancing parenthood and horticulture, how using drones helps him as a designer, and more. Whether you're a professional designer or a curious gardener, Ben's insights on embracing creativity and science in planting design are inspiring and actionable. Enjoy the show!

This month, I interviewed Lucy Bellamy on her new book A Year in Bloom. Lucy shared her journey of becoming a passionate gardener and editor of five years of Gardens Illustrated. With A Year in Bloom, we discussed how bulbs are perfect for sustainable planting, the creative blend of practicality and artistry in gardening, and the 50 experts she surveyed for the best bulbs for every growing season. She shared practical tips on planting and caring for different types of bulbs, such as adding grit for drainage and to mark areas where small bulbs are in the garden. Lucy provided insights into some specific favorite bulbs like Narcissus pseudonarcissus (lent lily), Tulipa sylvestris (woodland tulip), and Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake). Enjoy the show!

This month's episode of The Plantastic Podcast with Lis Meyer is packed with practical tips on plant propagation including cuttings, bulb scaling, and grafting. Plus, don't miss several videos on propagation at the end of the show notes!

This month's episode of The Plantastic Podcast with Patrick Cullina is a master class in naturalistic planting. Here's 12 things I learned from our conversation: Patrick’s approach to categorizing plants to simplify design (8 minute mark), his preference for gravity over novelty in plant choice (20 minute mark), crafting narratives in landscapes (24 minute mark), his design process with three groups — grasses, long-lived perennial anchors, and blooming elements (33 minute mark), how changing the context alters plant perception (43 minute mark), the pros and cons to the block versus matrix/blended style of planting (50 minute mark), how to make landscapes that consume less (59 minute mark), thinking of flowers for their shapes instead of just their color (1:01 minute mark), how to tell stories for visitors to the High Line (1:07 minute mark), how to train someone on editing a planting (1:14 minute mark), the importance of regional ecologies (1:29 minute mark), and how we can propagate the love for plants by telling stories and rewarding interest (1:38 minute mark).

For July's episode of The Plantastic Podcast, Erin Presley speaks about the importance of making gardens relatable for everyone. She is a horticulturist at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin where she manages the herb garden, native woodland areas, pond garden, and gravel garden. She highlights unique projects, including creating culturally relevant gardens with Ho Chunk Nation and Hmong communities and hosting events like making milkweed soup and a special cucumber drink. Erin also discusses innovative gardening techniques like hugelkultur, gravel gardens, and incorporating woody debris into the garden and how these practices contribute to sustainable planting. Our conversation covers Erin's dedication to fostering a love for nature and plants and emphasizes building a supportive horticultural community and the value of community engagement in public gardens. Enjoy the show!

In this episode of The Plantastic Podcast, Gary Lewis, the owner of Phoenix Perennials and author of The Complete Book of Ground Covers. Gary takes us on a journey through his lifelong passion for plants, highlighted by his hands-on experience at a wholesale nursery, his self-taught mastery within the horticultural field, and buying a nursery when he was working on his master's degree at 28. Gary's love for ground covers comes alive as he illuminates their aesthetic, functional, and environmental benefits while offering advice on their effective use in garden designs. Additionally, Gary shares about the challenges and strategies behind running a diverse nursery, the importance of fostering curiosity and diversity in horticulture, the complex choices involved in writing a book featuring 4,000 ground covers, and his travels around the world. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their gardening insights and creativity. Enjoy the show!

In this episode of The Plantastic Podcast, Polly Nicholson, owner of Bayntun Flowers and author of The Tulip Garden, shares her deep-rooted love for plants and her journey into gardening and tulip cultivation. Polly provides insights into historical tulip species, her dedication to preserving tulip varieties, and the importance of maintaining heritage plants. She also delves into the history of tulips from Tulipmania and how a virus turned a bulb into a frenzied commodity to how an Ottoman Emperor used a clever way to light tulip flowers at night. Polly discusses lessons from her organic flower farm, and she offers valuable advice for gardeners about designing with tulips, soil health, organic practices, and how to successfully cultivate, save, and rotate tulips. Enjoy the show!

In this episode of The Plantastic Podcast, we delve into the world of urban planting and design with Preston Montague. Preston shares his journey from a childhood love of plants to a career in landscape architecture, inspired by his parents and his passion for gardening. Discover practical tips on incorporating water features into your garden from Preston's early interest in aquariums, using native plants to enhance urban landscapes, and the role of unsung shrubs in plantings. Preston also offers insights into his creative process, including his unique drawing practice. Don't miss this inspiring conversation on transforming our urban spaces into thriving, green sanctuaries.

If you've ever wondered how we can share gardening with the next generation, then this episode of The Plantastic Podcast is for you. We dive into the world of horticulture careers with Jazmin Albarran, Executive Director of Seed Your Future. We discuss the diverse career opportunities in horticulture and how Seed Your Future has bridged the gap for connecting people to horticulture. Jazmin addresses common misconceptions about horticulture careers and offers practical strategies for overcoming them, such as engaging with social media influencers, creating and sharing educational content, and publicizing at garden centers. We cover the importance of industry involvement and home gardeners in nurturing the next generation of horticulturists, and we discuss the resources students need to explore plant-related careers based on their passions and interests. Don't miss out on this valuable discussion about the passion, purpose, and potential of horticulture. Enjoy the show!

In this month’s episode of The Plantastic Podcast, Julie Witmer shares her journey on becoming a passionate garden designer in Pennsylvania. She talks about how she was influenced by figures like Christopher Lloyd and Beth Chatto and her continuous learning and problem-solving in gardening. Julie's expertise shines through with her design business, her homeschooling practices, and helping families design better spaces with plants. We talk about aligning gardens with personal desires and the environment; how with writing, teaching, and engagement she shares her knowledge and love for plants; layering plants and how to think about a garden; her daily routines of observing seasonal changes; and how we can make gardening accessible and enjoyable for all. Enjoy the show!

In this month's episode of The Plantastic Podcast, I interview Scott Beuerlein, Manager of Botanical Garden Outreach at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. We talk about his circuitous journey into horticulture, the synergy between plants and animals at the zoo, their plant trials program, achieving the highest level of ArbNet accreditation, and how they engage their community. Scott also gives us a glimpse into his creative process with writing for GardenRant and Horticulture Magazine and some advice on how to plant better based on his experiences at the zoo. Enjoy the show!