Let's Argue About Plants

Find out which new varieties stood out for us in 2025! When the flurry of fall cleanup is done, it's fun to reflect on the triumphs of the growing season before winter sets in. For this episode Danielle, Carol, and...

Keeping an open mind is a great way to find new favorites! Of course we are entitled to have strong opinions about plants, but it doesn't hurt to have our minds changed once in a while. In this episode Danielle, Carol...

Now is the time to invest in a spectacular spring show! Bulbs of all kinds are easy-care solutions for bringing extra color and an element of surprise to containers, beds, and even lawns. In this episode, Danielle and...

In this episode, we're digging into our all-time favorite vegetable varieties—the ones we can't imagine our gardens (or dinner plates) being without. From not one, but two improved 'Brandywine'-type heirloom tomatoes to...

Roses may be the most controversial plant out there. In this episode, we're discussing the most reliable, low-maintenance, and high-performing rose varieties for those of us who crave beauty without the fuss. These...

Turn up the garden heat with a dose of bold, confident color Red flowers—love 'em or hate 'em — add an undeniable fiery look to gardens. The hue stands out brilliantly against the predominant greens of most landscapes...

It's worth finding a few stalwarts that will survive almost anything When plants are done in by pests, diseases, or bad weather, it is hard not to take it personally. But on the positive side, each plant that shuffles...

In this episode, we're turning up the drama—garden drama, that is! We're talking all about plants with big, bold foliage that steal the show and bring serious texture and presence to your landscape. Whether you're...

If your pulse quickens at the sight of a dogwood or peony in full bloom, this is the episode for you. Although a restrained, foliage-focused design is always a safe bet, fabulous floral textures and colors offer a level...

While the Fine Gardening team is busy exploring the Philadelphia Flower Show, we're taking a moment to look back at some of the most insightful and inspiring conversations we've had on Let's Argue About Plants over the...

As we recorded this episode, snow was gently falling outside our windows here in New England. But that isn't depressing for us—it simply means it's time to start our seeds! Today we are joined by digital editor...

Amanda Thomsen is a landscape designer, project manager, and garden writer. Recently, she opened Aster Gardens in Lemont, Illinois. This neighborhood boutique offers plants, home décor, classes, and events. Amanda...

Potted plants will bring life and positive energy into any room, and studies have shown that having them nearby can relieve stress, boost creativity, and improve focus. In winter, when the weather is not good for...

Catalogue descriptions for new plants may grab our attention, but usually provide little useful information about how these up-and-coming cultivars will perform in your garden. Fortunately, comparative trials like those...

This week we might rename the show Pollinator Haven, the podcast where we dig into the vibrant world of pollinators and the plants that sustain them! Well, probably not, but we will be diving into the essential role...

Susan Morrison, owner and principal designer at Creative Exteriors Landscape Design, has created hundreds of gardens in California's East Bay area. Her designs incorporate comfortable outdoor rooms into landscapes of...

One deer can do major landscape damage overnight, and if a herd regularly visits your garden you may feel like giving up. Although almost no plant is completely safe if the herbivores are hungry enough, gardeners facing...

Ulrich Lorimer is the director of the Native Plant Tust in Framingham, MA, a conservation organization that manages Garden in the Woods. He has been a longtime advocate for cultivating native plants in both public and...

When we say "foundation plants" you might think we're talking about plants that are the backbones of our beds and borders. But that's not what we mean in this instance. Today we're discussing plants that are perfect for...

Seattle-based garden designer Stacie Crooks creates beautiful, ecologically friendly, low-maintenance gardens throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her most recent article in the December 2024 issue of Fine Gardening...

Great options for welcoming winged visitors to your garden Hardly an episode goes by where we don't mention a pollinator plant. But we have never dedicated an entire episode to the topic, which in our minds is bananas!...

Andrew Bunting is vice president of horticulture at Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), where he promotes gardening for the greater good. PHS supports healthier neighborhoods through horticulture by cleaning and...

The best ground covers are multi-purpose workhorses, suppressing weeds, preventing soil erosion, and adding another level of interest to garden beds. Naturally, we'd prefer them not to be invasive, and to look good over...

Mark Weathington is the director of the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina and author of Gardening in the South: The Complete Homeowner's Guide. Mark is a frequent FG contributor...

It's late-July and we're officially HOT. And so are our gardens. Now is the time that we start to truly sit up and take notice of the plants that seem to be gliding through summer's worst without skipping a beat...