Episodes

2d ago

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.

Dec 13

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.

Dec 6

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.

Nov 29

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.

Nov 22

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!

Nov 15

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.

Nov 8

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.

Nov 1

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.

Oct 25

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.

Oct 18

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.

Oct 11

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.

Oct 4

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.

Sep 27

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.

Sep 20

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.

Sep 13

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.

Sep 6

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.

Aug 30

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.

Aug 23

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.

Aug 16

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.

Aug 9

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.

Aug 2

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.

Jul 26

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.

Jul 19

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.

Jul 12

Take your garden to the next level! We talk about plants that add height to the garden and plants that grow at higher elevations.

Jul 5

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.

Jun 28

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.

Jun 21

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.

Jun 14

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.

Jun 7

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.

May 31

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.

May 24

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.

May 17

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.

May 10

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.

May 3

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.

Apr 26

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.

Apr 19

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.

Apr 12

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.

Apr 5

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.

Mar 29

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.

Mar 22

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.

Mar 15

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.

Mar 8

Looking for the toughest, most durable plants for your garden or landscape? They're in this episode! Featured shrub: Low Scape Mound aronia.

Mar 1

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.

Feb 22

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.

Feb 15

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.

Feb 8

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!

Feb 1

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.

Jan 25

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.

Jan 18

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.

Jan 11

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.

Jan 4

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.

Dec 28, 2024

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.

Dec 21, 2024

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.

Dec 14, 2024

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.

Dec 7, 2024

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.

Nov 30, 2024

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.

Nov 23, 2024

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.

Nov 16, 2024

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.

Nov 9, 2024

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.

Nov 2, 2024

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.

Oct 26, 2024

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.

Oct 19, 2024

Go beyond mums and maples to discover the many other plants that make fall such a colorful, memorable season. Featured shrub: Tres Amigos abelia.

Oct 12, 2024

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.

Oct 5, 2024

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.

Sep 28, 2024

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.

Sep 21, 2024

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.

Sep 14, 2024

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.

Sep 7, 2024

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.

Aug 31, 2024

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.

Aug 24, 2024

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.

Aug 17, 2024

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.

Aug 10, 2024

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.

Aug 3, 2024

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.

Jul 27, 2024

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.

Jul 20, 2024

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.

Jul 13, 2024

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.

Jul 6, 2024

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.

Jun 29, 2024

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.

Jun 22, 2024

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.

Jun 15, 2024

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.

Jun 8, 2024

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.

Jun 1, 2024

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.

May 25, 2024

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.

May 18, 2024

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.

May 11, 2024

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.

May 4, 2024

Rick and Stacey share the stories of those who have influenced their horticultural perspective in life. We'd love to hear about yours!

Apr 27, 2024

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.

Apr 20, 2024

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.

Apr 13, 2024

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.

Apr 6, 2024

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.

Mar 30, 2024

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.

Mar 23, 2024

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.

Mar 16, 2024

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.

Mar 9, 2024

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.

Mar 2, 2024

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.

Feb 24, 2024

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.

Feb 17, 2024

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.

Feb 10, 2024

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.

Feb 3, 2024

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.

Jan 27, 2024

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.

Jan 20, 2024

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.

Jan 13, 2024

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.

Jan 6, 2024

Dec 30, 2023

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.

Dec 23, 2023

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.

Dec 16, 2023

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.

Dec 9, 2023

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.

Dec 2, 2023

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.

Nov 25, 2023

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.

Nov 18, 2023

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.

Nov 11, 2023

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.

Nov 4, 2023

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.

Oct 28, 2023

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.

Oct 21, 2023

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.

Oct 14, 2023

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.

Oct 7, 2023

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.

Sep 30, 2023

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.

Sep 23, 2023

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.

Sep 16, 2023

"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.

Sep 16, 2023

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.

Sep 9, 2023

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.

Sep 2, 2023

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.

Aug 27, 2023

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.

Aug 19, 2023

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.

Aug 12, 2023

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.

Aug 5, 2023

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.

Jul 29, 2023

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.

Jul 22, 2023

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.

Jul 15, 2023

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.

Jul 8, 2023

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.

Jul 1, 2023

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.

Jun 24, 2023

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.

Jun 17, 2023

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.

Jun 10, 2023

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."

Jun 3, 2023

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.

May 27, 2023

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.

May 20, 2023

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.

May 13, 2023

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.

May 6, 2023

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.

Apr 29, 2023

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.

Apr 22, 2023

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!

Apr 15, 2023

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."

Apr 8, 2023

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.

Apr 1, 2023

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.

Mar 25, 2023

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.

Mar 18, 2023

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.

Mar 11, 2023

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.”

Mar 4, 2023

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.

Feb 25, 2023

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.

Feb 18, 2023

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.

Feb 11, 2023

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.

Feb 4, 2023

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.

Jan 28, 2023

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.

Jan 21, 2023

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.

Jan 14, 2023

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.

Jan 8, 2023

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.

Dec 31, 2022

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.

Dec 24, 2022

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.

Dec 17, 2022

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.

Dec 10, 2022

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.

Dec 3, 2022

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.

Nov 26, 2022

Got deer? We've got plant suggestions! Plus, we talk about the beauty of boxwood, the benefits of mulch, and amazing owls.

Nov 19, 2022

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.

Nov 12, 2022

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!

Nov 5, 2022

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.

Oct 29, 2022

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.

Oct 22, 2022

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.

Oct 15, 2022

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.

Oct 8, 2022

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!

Oct 1, 2022

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.

Sep 24, 2022

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.

Sep 22, 2022

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/

Sep 22, 2022

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/