Stories from the Garden

To celebrate Canada Day, I have taken just a few minutes to discuss a brief history of Canadian independence and more!

Raise a flag for all the Canucks in your life!

Today, we're going to discuss a plant that I'm not sure you'd want in your garden. Its common name makes it obvious why you may not want to include it, as it is a pretty native woodland plant, albeit a common one. This is a plant • called Bainberry. • And as soon as you hear the term ~ bane, it probably means that you don't want to be eating a whole lot of this stuff.

Today, I want to discuss a common garden plant called Lamb’s Ears (Stachys). It’s an effective edging plant that allows other colors to shine. Its soft foliage makes it a cozy and pleasant plant to talk about or share with friends.

The name “Lamb’s Ears” is quite obvious, as it resembles the soft texture of a lamb’s ear. Early horticulturists and botanists likely felt the plant’s softness and named it accordingly. While I haven’t been close to lamb’s ears, I’ve been close to lamb’s wool, and I think the name fits well.

I highly recommend these to anyone willing to listen. If you're looking for one more reason to shop around for a Japanese Maple or need to persuade someone else, enjoy today's episode and feel free to share it with a friend.

Today, we'll discuss a plant with a fun common name and share an embarrassing story of mine. Many people enjoy it as a garden plant as well. The plant is known as "pig squeak"—what a fantastic name! It's also sometimes called "pig squeal." I think those names are much more entertaining than it's botanical name, Bergenia. Another common name for it is "elephant ears."

Sharing a successful plant with others is truly rewarding. A beautiful plant not only enhances the aesthetics of your garden but also attracts pollinators and is native to the area. This morning, I want to highlight the yellow or golden coneflower, commonly known as Rudbeckia. Rudbeckia is native to a significant portion of the American landscape. Interestingly, Linnaeus named it during the development of binomial nomenclature in taxonomy. This plant is an excellent choice, and there are many varieties that would be perfect for your garden.

I'm not exactly sure how enjoyable it is to listen to why a plant is called pleurisy weed. But stick with me to learn where it got its name and how that name has changed over time.

Today, I want to share my enthusiasm for a specific plant that I've fallen in love with: the Spirea. I have always had a fondness for Spireas. They often feature white or pink flowers and make excellent landscape plants for the front of the house. One of my favorites is the Gold Mound Spirea.

Although this may seem somewhat scandalous, we will have a great time discovering why Vitex is commonly referred to as the Chaste tree and whether it truly lives up to its name.

What do butterflies and licorice have to do with a beautiful garden? In any garden, purple fennel is one of the best plants to add. However, when you have a small space and need to tuck in herbs, vegetables, and more, purple fennel is at the top of my list.

You might assume that a native plant named Bee Balm would attract bees and butterflies, but that assumption could be misleading. The true story behind the common name Bee Balm is somewhat different.

This shade-loving perennial has been gaining popularity lately, and I can’t get enough of it. In your grandmother’s garden, it would reseed and function almost like a ground cover. However, today’s new hybrids are introducing us to some truly spectacular Hellebores.

Are you a young chap looking for a date? Look no further!

Grab one of these lovely blue flowers off the side of the road and pop it into your lapel. Or at least that's what we would do in early Colonial America or Victorian England.

If you have ever been to my garden or heard me speak, you will know how much I love Clematis. Join me this week as we discuss why this is such a great garden plant.

Who are Harriet and Amy Kirkpatrick, and what do they have to do with hydrangeas? Dig into where our native hydrangea Annabelle got her name.

In this episode, Dr. Allan Armitage takes us on a plant-packed journey, sharing his all-time favorite plants that are as tough as they are gorgeous!

Whether you're a gardening pro or just getting started, Dr. Armitage reveals the secret to choosing plants that thrive in just about any garden. From sun-loving beauties to shade-dwelling champs, he’s got recommendations that will bring your garden to life with minimal effort. Tune in for expert tips and a dose of plant magic that will have you running to the garden shoppe in no time!

​In this episode of "Stories from the Garden," Dr. Allan Armitage delves into the world of Baptisia, commonly known as false indigo. He shares insights into its rich history, diverse species, and the unique characteristics that make it a standout in gardens. Listeners will learn about Baptisia's resilience, appeal to pollinators, and significance in American horticulture. Tune in to discover why this plant holds a special place in Dr. Armitage's heart and how it can enhance your garden.

This is one of my all-time favorites and one of the greatest plants for children and adults alike.

Does anyone know Susan? Well, today, I am a bit flummoxed...Black Eyed Susan happens to have a very interesting story.

Today I want to share a story about a plant that's known as Boneset. Boneset, you say, well, where'd that come from?

Well, it's actually a native of much of eastern North America, including Massachusetts. It's a great native and pollinator plant.

Was Joe Pye a real person? And where did it get its name?

In a quick story I will tell you the tale of Joe Pye, the man and how this roadside perennial got its name.