33. Lis Meyer on Home Plant Propagation

LIS MEYER BIO

This month’s episode of The Plantastic Podcast is Lis Meyer, a senior lecturer in the Dept. of Horticultural Science at NC State, where she has taught for the past 14 years. She currently teaches several courses in Plant Propagation, her favorite horticultural topic! As a native of North Carolina, she is grateful for the opportunity to pursue her passion for teaching at the best university in her home state.

SHOW NOTES

  • [01:00] Lis reflects on how her passion for plants started with her parents and reminisces about childhood activities like collecting seeds and experimenting with cuttings

  • [03:00] Lis majored in both English and botany at NC State

  • [04:00] Lis discusses her graduate work with Tom Rainey, describing his unconventional but rewarding approach to plant breeding and her humorous interview experience

  • [06:00] Valuable lessons from graduate school include not being afraid to try new ideas, even if they seem risky

  • [07:00] Lis now lectures at NC State, teaching classes on plant identification, propagation, and advising student organizations.

  • [13:00] Lis emphasizes the importance of understanding plant anatomy, particularly when working with cuttings, and details the distinction between stem and leaf cuttings.

  • [16:00] Time of year, plant physiology, and type of cutting (softwood, semi-hardwood, or hardwood) are key factors in successful propagation, especially with woody plants.

  • [17:00] Good reference books on plant propagation include Hartmann & Kester's Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices, 9th edition by Hudson Hartmann, Dale Kester, Fred Davies; Robert Geneve; and Sandra Wilson; The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation by Michael Dirr and Charles Heuser Jr.; Plant Propagation by Alan Toogood; The Manual of Plant Grafting by Peter MacDonald; and Creative Propagation by Peter Thompson

  • [18:00] The importance of plant anatomy in determining success when taking cuttings, emphasizing the differences between woody and herbaceous plants.

  • [19:00] Understanding growth stages of woody stem cuttings (softwood, semi-hardwood, hardwood) and their relevance to propagation success.

  • [20:00] Lis explains how intermittent mist systems can greatly improve cutting success but are not always practical for home gardeners.

  • [21:00] For home gardeners, alternatives to mist systems include humidity domes, ziplock bags, or repurposed materials like soda bottles and Red Robin delivery containers.

  • [22:00] JC Raulston video on building a mist system at home

  • [25:00] Recommendations for air circulation and placing cuttings in indirect light to avoid auxin breakdown, which is crucial for root development.

  • [26:00] Discusses the role of auxin in root formation, particularly how it breaks down in the presence of light, making lower light conditions favorable for cuttings.

  • [28:00] Home gardeners should consider using rooting hormone for woody plants, while herbaceous plants may root without it but benefit from improved root systems when used.

  • [29:00] Lis advises gardeners to carefully check rooting hormone labels for the presence of auxin and warns against misleading products that are actually fertilizers.

  • [31:00] Dispelling myths around home remedies like using honey for rooting cuttings and emphasizing that natural methods like willow water can work but are unpredictable.

  • [33:00] Lis provides a detailed explanation of preformed latent roots versus wound-induced roots, using examples like sweet potatoes, hydrangeas, and tomatoes.

  • [35:00] Some plants, like sweet potatoes, root quickly due to preformed root initials, while others can take months to root, depending on the species.

  • [38:00] Lis shares her love for bulb scaling, highlighting how easy and efficient this method can be for home gardeners without fancy equipment.

  • [39:00] She dives into how to propagate different types of bulbs and offers step-by-step instructions for tunicate and scaly bulbs.

  • [44:00] Best time of the year for bulb scaling

  • [47:00] Grafting can be an intimidating process for beginners, but Lis explains that practice and the right equipment, like a sharp grafting knife, make it approachable for both professionals and hobbyists.

  • [48:00] Biology of grafting and the importance of callus tissue and lining up vascular cambium

  • [50:00] Using chip budding to do easy grafting on plants

  • [52:00] The importance of having a sharp grafting knife (not pocket knife!)

  • [53:00] Vegetable grafting, particularly with tomatoes, is discussed as a way to combine heirloom varieties with disease-resistant rootstock for improved growth.

  • [57:00] Clips and starter kit for grafting tomatoes and grafting tools and/razor blades

  • [58:00] Time of the year for chip budding

  • [60:00] How to propagate failure by encouraging others to imbrace failure, as it's a natural part of the learning process in both home gardening and professional horticulture.

  • [62:00] Learn more from Lis by visiting her NC State profile page and her Youtube videos

32. Patrick Cullina on Dynamic Naturalistic Planting

PATRICK CULLINA BIO

Patrick Cullina is an award-winning horticulturist, landscape designer, photographer, lecturer, and organizational consultant with more than twenty-five years of experience in the landscape field. He runs a design and consulting business that is dedicated to the innovative and sensitive integration of plants and materials into a diverse range of compelling designs, drawing inspiration from both the natural world and constructed environments alike.

Previously, he was the founding Vice President of Horticulture and Park Operations for New York City's High Line; the VP of Horticulture, Operations & Science Research at Brooklyn Botanic Garden; and the Associate Director of The Rutgers University Gardens in affiliation with the school's Department of Landscape Architecture.

Throughout his career, he has served as a consultant and advisor to an array of public and private clients and projects and has lectured throughout the U.S. and abroad for universities, public gardens, garden clubs, horticultural organizations, museums, libraries and professional organizations on the subjects of plants, living environments, horticulture, landscape design, landscape maintenance and the urban experience.
His consulting work provides services to a host of private, municipal, corporate and conservancy clients and to a number of leading landscape architecture and architecture firms. His work in horticulture has been recognized by organizations like the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Garden Club of America (Zone Horticultural Commendation, 2010), and the Garden Club of New Jersey (Gold Medal, 2005).

You can learn more about Patrick Cullina through his website and on Instagram @pjctwo

SHOW NOTES

  • Passion for plants started in childhood, influenced by Olmstead Brothers Park in Hartford, Connecticut where he grew up playing in the park and participated in educational tours by the parks department

  • Formal education was in English literature at Fordham University

  • His after college work with youth programs in urban areas, which led to an affiliation with Rutgers University

  • Influential figures at Rutgers including Dr. Bruce Hamilton and Dr. Elwynn Orton

  • At Rutgers, Pat’s work on revitalizing the university's arboretum, learning about plant taxonomy, and family patterns

  • Transitioned from administrator to plantsman through practical experience and teaching

  • Creating compartments of plants to easily reference plants

  • Emphasizes the importance of observation and careful interpretation in plant science

  • Coming into horticulture backwards from being an English major

  • Challenges from early mentors to learn plants

  • Caution on turning one observation into canon

  • How design is like a tiger on a chain that has to be tightly held through the entire process

  • The challenges of maintaining integrity in design projects especially with herbaceous plants

  • Valuing gravity and narrative over novelty

  • Mentions specific plant selections and preferences, like reliable Echinacea and Baptisia species

  • Notes the difficulty of managing multiple projects over time

  • His work on Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum as an example of building stories around plants

  • Describes the chaotic nature of the design process and the importance of a strong narrative

  • The influence of his family's storytelling tradition on his approach to landscapes and narratives

  • The importance of creating effective narratives in any field connected to people and comparing it to teaching

  • Admiration of individuals like Roy Diblik, Betty Scholtz, and Darrel Morrison for their personal and authentic engagement with the public

  • Pat’s frustration with misleading advice in public landscapes and gardening and advocating for honest guidance that helps people succeed

  • He discusses the challenges of landscape design in public projects and the impact of poor design choices on community perceptions and funding

  • Cullina contrasts the High Line's success with other projects and suggests that small-scale, meaningful interpretations can be impactful

  • Pat’s design process organizing plants into three groups: grasses, long-lived perennials that act as anchors, and blooming elements, to create diverse and dynamic landscapes in sun and shade

  • Building a narrative with a planting with considering succession and average height and piercing plants

  • Adapting plant choices based on regional characteristics, soil, and exposure, using examples from projects in different climates

  • He talks about the importance of regional connection in gardens, encouraging local engagement with native plants and landscapes

  • Cullina highlights the educational role of public gardens, using the Fort Worth Botanic Garden as an example of promoting regional flora

  • How to change the public's perceptions of native plants, using the Highline's Rhus (sumac) and Sassafras as examples of how context can transform appreciation

  • Discussing the narrative behind garden design and the importance of seeing plantings as communities rather than individual plants

  • The visual appeal and ecological function of natural landscapes, emphasizing the interplay and repetition of plant combinations

  • Critique of overly rigid or overly sparse garden designs that rely heavily on color or mulch

  • The goal of achieving a fully realized planted ground plane, minimizing visible ground or mulch

  • The importance of plant density and inter-planting to create a secure and cohesive space

  • Lessons from a visit to a remnant prairie with diverse plant species, highlighting the inspiration drawn from natural plant communities

  • The debate between block style and matrix style planting, with a preference for a hybrid or matrix style for its adaptability and resilience

  • Discussion on the practical challenges of block style planting, including maintenance and the visual impact of large, homogenous groups

  • Visiting Chiwaukee Prairie

  • Emphasizing the need for understanding plant scale and cultural requirements in landscape design

  • The importance of selecting plants appropriate to the space to make landscapes that consume less, avoid excessive maintenance, and avoid unintended effects

  • Recommendations for using bulbs to bridge gaps in planting design, particularly during seasonal transitions

  • Encouraging the use of reliable sources for plant information and the importance of scale in both design and maintenance

  • The role of seasonal progression and plant behavior in designing sustainable and aesthetically pleasing landscapes

  • Consideration of color and texture in planting design, including the importance of flower structural variety among plants

  • The role of flowering plants, grasses, and woody plants in supporting wildlife through pollination, fruiting, and seed production.

  • Practical strategies for managing plant growth and structure, such as using certain species to support others.

  • The process of determining color preferences with clients, including addressing specific dislikes or strong preferences.

  • Flexibility in plant selection while maintaining a cohesive design vision, adapting to client preferences and site conditions.

  • The High Line’s evolution from a new project to a major attraction surpassing even the Statue of Liberty in visitor numbers

  • The High Line’s transformation into a popular urban promenade, influencing social interactions and city dynamics

  • Personal anecdotes from visitors to the High Line, showcasing diverse reactions and engagement

  • The narrative richness of the High Line, including its history, architecture, and cultural significance

  • Discussion on the concept of "editing" landscapes versus traditional gardening

  • The importance of maintaining and observing landscapes over time to make informed recommendations and improvements

  • Challenges in identifying and managing stealth weeds and plant gaps during the editing process

  • The necessity of understanding plant performance beyond initial installation conditions, including future growth and shade development

  • The value of visiting botanical gardens and nurseries for ongoing plant evaluation and knowledge

  • The role of cross-training culturally and engaging in diverse experiences to stay inspired and productive

  • The influence of collaborative experiences and collective observations in shaping one’s approach to landscape design

  • Emphasis on the importance of ongoing improvement, ecological function, and community impact over personal accolades in landscape work

  • Appreciation for the variety of approaches in engaging people through audio, newsletters, teaching, and social media

  • Importance of public spaces in creating connections, such as children playing with fallen magnolia leaves in the High Line

  • Viewing urban spaces as part of an ecological community, and the role of diverse plantings in promoting positive change

  • Discussion on the concept of native plants and the significance of regional ecologies

  • Debate on the value of native plant cultivars versus wild types, considering factors like pollination and plant performance

  • Observations on plant pricing in garden centers and the impact of plant sizes on design efficacy

  • Encouragement to listen to others' perspectives in teaching rather than imposing one's views

  • The challenge of balancing multiple educational approaches versus focusing on one niche

  • Recognition of the need for a broad approach to make diverse and compelling landscapes accessible

  • Propagating more horticulturists by telling stories and rewarding any engagement from individuals interested in horticulture

  • Emphasis on the value of real, tangible outcomes in client projects and the surprise element in final results

  • You can learn more about Patrick Cullina through his website and Instagram @pjctwo

31. Erin Presley on Making Gardens Relatable to All

Erin Presley BIO

A lifelong Wisconsin girl, Erin Presley grew up in the rural center of the state and has a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has worked as a boots-on-the-ground gardener for more than two decades, both in the private sector and as a horticulturist at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison since 2014. Her interests include native woodland plantings, sedges, low-maintenance and drought-tolerant gardening styles, recycling woody debris, and all things related to herbs, vegetables, and cooking. In addition to teaching at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Erin loves talking plants and collaborating with herb societies, master gardeners, and local community organizations. Never shy when it comes to sharing the joy of gardening, she has appeared on the nationally syndicated podcast Cultivating Place and Wisconsin Public Radio’s Garden Talk and is a contributor publications such as Fine Gardening and Edible Madison. Learn more about Erin by visiting her Instagram @presleyspreferredplants, listening to her interview on Cultivating Place, interviews on Garden Talk with Larry Meiller, the PBS presentation with Rita Peters, and visit Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

SHOW NOTES

  • Erin’s youth in rural central Wisconsin which fostered her love for nature from an early age

  • Central Wisconsin, where she grew up, is in a tension zone with a unique mix of plant species and interesting glacial geology

  • Her involvement in 4-H and landscaping projects as a kid and realizing horticulture was a career path in college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Erin emphasized the importance of building a professional network in horticulture

  • Erin’s time as a professional gardener in the private sector and lessons learned about plant resilience, client attitudes toward gardening, and the importance of persistence and transformation in gardening

  • Erin current role at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, a 16-acre public garden in Madison, Wisconsin, which includes outdoor gardens and a tropical conservatory

  • Olbrich Botanical Gardens was founded by Michael B. Olbrich to ensure public access to green spaces as Madison's lakeshore was developed

  • Erin manages the herb garden, a native shade garden, pond garden, and one of the earliest gravel garden installations in the Midwest

  • Elements that Erin would teach in a masterclass on gardening including making gardens relatable to visitors, showing practical techniques, and incorporating cultural elements

  • Culturally relevant gardens at Olbrich, including those focusing on Ayurveda, indigenous food practices for the Ho Chunk Nation , and gardens for Hmong culture, including a theme on the Plain of Jars

  • Erin emphasized adding elements of fun and whimsy to gardens to engage visitors and make gardening seem accessible and enjoyable

  • She believes in showcasing unique and eye-catching plants to surprise and educate visitors, such as Spigelia marilandica (Indian pink) and Euphorbia marginata (snow-on-the-mountain).

  • The dichotomy of working in public gardens, balancing the enjoyment of nature with the hard work it entails.

  • Making the herb garden interesting all year by incorporating strong plants with winter interest for off-season appeal, utilizing colorful bark of willows and dogwoods, using formal hedges to provide structure and contrast, and pruning fruit trees in espalier style for strong visual elements

  • The practice of recycling woody debris to create garden structures and support for vines and leaving perennial debris to benefit native insect populations

  • The story of a decaying crab tree turned into a garden centerpiece supporting wildlife

  • The importance of using garden materials for a sense of history and character

  • Techniques for starting hügelkultur beds with woody debris and organic matter to enhance soil quality without disturbing soil microbiology

  • Beetle bumps of beetle banks

  • Engaging with indigenous cultures like the Ho-Chunk Nation through garden projects

  • Establishing cultural gardens with input from community members like Rita Peters

  • The importance of trust, authenticity, and being culturally aware in creating culturally relevant gardens

  • Public engagement through events like milkweed soup sessions

  • Using food as a means of engaging and educating the public about cultural traditions like the Hmong cucumber drink

  • Learning from interns with strong cultural heritage

  • The oral history of the Hmong people and its richness in stories and traditions

  • Listening to non-gardeners for fresh ideas and inspiration

  • Observing people's reactions and conversations for new gardening insights

  • The woodland garden at Olbrich was planted in the mid-1990s and has grown into a fantastic collection of ephemerals, supporting a range of specialist pollinators.

  • The insect scouting group that monitors bugs throughout the garden and records their findings in iNaturalist and helping to bolster the garden’s ecosystem value.

  • Managing invasive species at Olbrich like Epipactis helleborine (broad-leaved helleborine)

  • Gravel garden experts like Jeff Epping, Roy Diblik, and Cassian Schmidt

  • Details on the gravel gardens including using a thick layer of quartzite-based gravel and drought-tolerant perennials.

  • The importance of self-care, professional networking, paying attention to how people interact with garden spaces, and exploring nature to cultivate oneself as a horticulturist.

  • Writing about plants involves making the information accessible, keeping the tone friendly, and providing practical takeaways, while also watching the word count.

  • Erin’s favorite horticulture book is Wisconsin’s Natural Communities by Randy Hoffman, which offers insights into plant communities and serves as a guidebook for exploring natural areas in Wisconsin.

  • A garden myth Erin wants to bust is the belief in plant spacing tags on perennials, advocating for denser planting to create a more natural and community-like environment.

  • How to propagate more horticulturists by educating the public, having internships or camps, engaging with professional gatherings, and treating people fairly

  • Learn more about Erin by visiting her Instagram @presleyspreferredplants, listening to her interview on Cultivating Place, interviews on Garden Talk with Larry Meiller, the PBS presentation with Rita Peters, and visit Olbrich Botanical Gardens

30. Gary Lewis on Ground Covers for Every Garden

GARY LEWIS BIO

Gary Lewis has had a life-long interest in plants and gardening. His retail and mail order nursery, Phoenix Perennials, located in Richmond, BC, offers more than 5000 different plants. Gary authored The Complete Book of Ground Covers: 4000 Plants that Reduce Maintenance, Control Erosion, and Beautify the Landscape and has written for various garden magazines including Fine Gardening and has been a frequent guest on local and regional radio and television stations in British Columbia. He speaks regularly to garden clubs around BC and the Pacific Northwest and has presented at conferences across North America. In 2013 he was selected as Communicator of the Year by the BC Landscape and Nursery Association and in 2014 as one of Canada’s Top 10 Horticultural Professionals under 40 by Greenhouse Canada magazine. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Perennial Plant Association and is a committee member of Great Plant Picks. Learn more about Gary by visiting his website phoenixperennials.com, finding him on Facebook, or his Instagram handle @phoenixperennials.

SHOW NOTES

  • A fun memory from Longwood Gardens, running to catch the last bus back to Lancaster while photographing Bruce Munro’s Field of Light

  • Gary's passion for plants began in childhood, influenced by his grandmother, mother and early experiences with wildflowers

  • The challenges of working at a wholesale nursery as a teenager

  • Details his master's research on soil chemistry and plant relationships in serpentine soil ecosystems

  • Buck Creek Barrens in North Carolina

  • Becoming the owners of Phoenix Perennials, a nursery in Richmond, British Columbia, which he acquired during his master's in botany

  • Phoenix Perennials grows a wide selection of plants for retail and provides mail-order services across Canada

  • The importance of managing and inspiring a team in horticulture

  • The diversity and uniqueness of plants available at Phoenix Perennials, including rare succulents and new introductions from breeders worldwide

  • Discussing the value of ground covers in gardens, noting their role in naturalistic planting and ecosystem support

  • Why Gary wrote The Complete Book of Ground Covers: 4000 Plants that Reduce Maintenance, Control Erosion, and Beautify the Landscape

  • Why ground covers are crucial for creating functioning ecosystems within gardens, supporting pollinators, and enhancing habitat complexity

  • Benefits of ground covers fall into three main categories: functional/economic, environmental, and aesthetic

  • Functional/economic benefits include outcompeting weeds, reducing lawn maintenance, protecting tree root zones, acting as green mulch, controlling erosion, and covering difficult-to-maintain spaces

  • Environmental benefits include supporting pollinators and wildlife, reducing the size of lawns, retaining biomass, and improving rain gardens

  • Ground covers impact on aesthetics by creating continuity in garden design, adding magical touches and tying plantings together

  • Different types of ground covers (rhizomatous, stoloniferous, trailing) have specific uses and considerations in garden design

  • What Gary loves about his book on ground covers that is a comprehensive encyclopedia for the temperate gardening world, covering around 4,000 taxa

  • Gary shares a favorite ground cover, Azorella trifurcata 'Nana' highlighting its aesthetic impact in a garden

  • Lewis’s book has been translated into Japanese, reflecting its broad appeal and relevance.

  • David MacKenzie’s Perennial Ground Covers

  • How Gary approached writing the book including extensive research and reviewing nursery lists, catalogs, and existing literature, which resulted in a shortlist of 12,000 species and cultivars which he whittled down to 4,000

  • Gary’s daily curiosity and exploration in horticulture and his always seeking new plants and forms.

  • Discussing the prevalence of "plant blindness" in society and the lack of public awareness and appreciation for plants.

  • The repetitive selection in local garden centers and the need for more diversity and inspiration in plant offerings.

  • Challenges faced include managing diverse plant stocks and navigating seasonal challenges like powdery mildew outbreaks.

  • Recommends Anna Pavord's books The Tulip and The Naming of Names for their captivating insights into plant history and evolution and Dan Hinkley’s books

  • Debunking horticultural myths like the use of pot shards and the necessity of the Chelsea chop in modern gardening.

  • Travel experiences botanizing in South Africa, Western Australia, and exploring garden and wild plant diversity globally

  • Finding Cordyline indivisa (mountain cabbage tree) in the wild

  • The beautiful Hellebore painting in Gary Lewis’s office by Gwen Dirks (image included below)

  • How to propagate more horticulturists by inspiring more people with plant diversity and nurture curiosity in horticulture.

  • Learn more about Gary Lewis by visiting his website phoenixperennials.com, finding him on Facebook, or his Instagram handle @phoenixperennials.

29. Polly Nicholson on The Tulip Garden

Polly Nicholson Bio

Specialist flower grower and tulip expert, Polly Nicholson is the owner of Bayntun Flowers in Wiltshire – growers of organic flowers cultivated in walled gardens and a one-acre field at the foot of the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire. Nicholson holds the National Collection of Tulipa (Historic) with Plant Heritage, and has been featured on BBC Gardener’s World, Radio 4, in Gardens Illustrated, Country Life, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, The World of Interiors, and House & Garden. Learn more about Polly through her book The Tulip Garden, her Instagram @bayntunflowers, and website Bayntun Flowers.

Show Notes

  • Polly's passion for plants started in early childhood with exploring and gathering the wild around Bath, England

  • Interest in medieval art and architecture influenced love for old design helped her find florilegia and herbals

  • Her first job at Sotheby's as an antiquarian book specialist where she discovered tulips through early botanical books

  • Discussing historic tulips from floral motifs that are still grown today and their significance

  • Polly's collection includes Tulipa ‘Duc van Tol’ that dates back to 1595

  • Polly holds National Collection of Tulipa (Historic) with Plant Heritage

  • The history and benefits of the resilience and natural beauty of species tulips

  • Favorites species tulips include Tulipa clusiana 'Peppermint Stick,' Tulip orphanidea (Whittallii Group), and Tulipa sylvestris

  • Overcoming challenges of growing tulips in wet soil by planting them in containers and gravel

  • A fun story about Tulipa turkestanica

  • Arne Maynard article on historic tulips photographed by Andrew Montgomery, the photographer of Polly’s book

  • Inspiration for writing The Tulip Garden book

  • For Polly, writing a book commits the knowledge to paper, establishes the author as an authority, and allows the writer to delve into a topic deeper

  • The importance of preserving old tulip varieties and telling their story

  • Polly’s unique selling point (USP) of old tulip varieties

  • Highlighting the beauty of photographs and using natural materials in her garden

  • Polly’s tortoises and the story of Ottoman Emperor Ahmed III and tulip feasts where he had mirrors and tortoises with candles on their back to light the tulips up at night

  • The story of the late flowering Tulipa aximensis from Aime, France saved from a housing development

  • Polly’s presentation at the New York Botanical Garden

  • Learning objectives from a masterclass on tulips include no chemical inputs and hand irrigating to be able to watch for issues

  • Describing Bayntun Flowers, Polly’s small, organic flower farm

  • Shane Connolly, who holds Royal Warrants of Appointment to both HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales

  • Advice from Bayntun Flowers including the importance of feeding soil with organic matter, keeping soil covered with crops or mulch, having a four-year tulip rotation to prevent pathogens

  • How to rotate tulips by digging them up and drying tulips for reuse

  • Propagating tulips by pulling the offshoots off the main bulb

  • The environmental benefits of reusing tulip bulbs

  • How to store tulips once they are dried

  • The story of Tulipmania in the 1630s Netherlands

  • How viruses caused tulip bulbs to break in color

  • Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach

  • A discussion on tulips still growing with the virus

  • Practices that help like like the importance of routines in gardening, including ordering bulbs late

  • Polly’s practice of adhering to organic principles in gardening, avoiding chemical applications, and using alternatives like smothering and MyPex

  • Challenges Polly is facing including climate change resulting in long, warm, and wet winters and post-Brexit challenges include difficulties in garden help and importing horticultural goods.

  • Polly recommends The Tulip by Anna Pavord for tulip enthusiasts and A Flower Garden for Pollinators by Rachel de Thame

  • Polly's garden at Bayntun Flowers is entirely planted for pollinators, like British black bees that Polly keeps

  • Polly debunks the myth that tulips are only for one season and advocates for recycling tulips

  • Species tulips are recommended for their perennial nature and ease of maintenance

  • For gardeners in warmer climates, Polly suggests digging tulips after they start going dormant, let tulips dry out, and replant in cooler months

  • Polly discusses proper storage for tulip bulbs to prevent dampness

  • A discussion on using containers and coolers for vernalization in regions with insufficient cold periods.

  • Polly is planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan to see tulips in the wild and learn from other gardens.

  • How to cultivate more horticulturists by sharing gardens and joining horticultural societies to propagate interest in gardening like Plant Heritage and the RHS.

  • Learn more about Polly through her book The Tulip Garden, her Instagram @bayntunflowers, and website Bayntun Flowers.

25. Scott Beuerlein on Zoos and Botanic Gardens

Scott Beuerlein Biography

Scott Beuerlein is the Manager of Botanical Garden Outreach at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. He runs the Zoo’s Botanical Garden educational programs, including three symposiums. He is involved in most of the department’s other outreach and with the plant trialing.  

Scott is a 1982 graduate of Xavier University, earning a B.A. in Communication Arts. He is an ONLA Certified Landscape Technician and an ISA Certified Arborist.  Scott is also a garden writer and horticultural speaker. He has published hundreds of articles and columns in several gardening and green industry publications. He currently pens two columns in each issue of Horticulture Magazine—the (usually, hopefully!) humorous Deep Roots column and the Garden Views series of interviews. Scott is a partner in the long running and highly respected GardenRant blog and posts about twice a month, including a spirited and sometimes passive-aggressive sparring of wits with garden writer Marianne Wilburn in a series of letters.   

Scott has received the following recognition for his horticultural efforts:

  • 2022 Silver Medal for blogs from the International Association of Garden Communicators 

  • 2020 Silver Medal for Magazine Article from the International Association of Garden Communicators 

  • 2020, Garden Clubs of America’s Club Horticulture Commendation

  • 2019, two Gold Medals for articles from the International Association of Garden Communicators 

  • 2019, the Civic Garden Center of Cincinnati’s Building Community Award

  • 2018, the Citation Award from the Garden Clubs of Ohio 

  • 2018, the Johnny Appleseed Award from Taking Root

  • 2015, named “One to Watch” by Cincinnati Magazine

  • In 2012, his garden received the Garden Recognition Award from the Cincinnati Horticulture Society

Scott is the currently serving as:

  • Board Member of Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum

  • Chair of the Boone County Arboretum Collections Committee

  • Member of the Cincinnati Urban Forestry Board

  • Member of the Green Industry Conference committee 

  • Member of the Perennial Plant Association’s Education Committee

  • Judge on the 2021 GardenComm Awards Committee 

Previously, Scott has served as:

  • Chairman of Taking Root, a tree planting initiative

  • Chairman of the Cincinnati Flower Growers Association

  • President of the Northern Kentucky Urban and Community Forestry Council

Learn more about Scott by visiting his website, by reading his articles on GardenRant and Horticulture Magazine, and learning from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanic Garden's website where there are additional resources, including event details, trialing program brochures, and the plant for pollinators initiative.

SHOW NOTES

  • The early passion for plants from a family of gardeners, and that passion rekindled when he had his first house

  • Starting a landscape company and eventually delving deeper into ornamental horticulture

  • Leaving Delta Airlines in 2008 to pursue his passion full-time and led him to his current role at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanic Garden

  • The prevalence of second-career individuals in horticulture and their diverse experiences

  • Pretending to teach people about plants as a kid

  • His role at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanic Garden involves communication, teaching, and sharing the importance of horticulture with the world

  • A shoutout to Steve Foltz

  • The success of symposiums at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanic Garden and the importance of information exchange within the horticultural community.

  • Plant trials to assess the success of various plants in their urban environment

  • Soil improvement techniques include removing heavy subsoil clay, backfilling with commercial topsoil blended with sand and compost, and creating raised beds

  • The importance of not walking on the soil to maintain its loose structure and achieve rapid plant establishment.

  • The commercial blend for topsoil typically includes clay, sand, and pine fines, with a focus on planting heavily and using liquid fertilizers for initial establishment.

  • How limited space led to a unique display/trial approach

  • The addition of a two-acre botanical garden on a nearby school campus at Rockdale Academy in Avondale and how it provided room for more scientific, side-by-side plant trialing

  • The zoo's involvement in community projects with projects funded by local organizations

  • Core principles of horticulture and zoos including diversity of projects, doing projects the same way each time, and use of shade trees

  • How horticulture is involved in planning for new projects at the zoo

  • Creating a sense of place for zoo exhibits

  • How the zoo uses plants to keep animals happy

  • The story of Fiona the hippo

  • How more zoos should integrate horticulture more

  • The significance of ArbNet accreditation levels based on collections, policies, education programs, and research, highlighting their achievement of level four on the first try.

  • Botanical Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)

  • Scott’s approach to writing and his contributions to GardenRant and Horticulture Magazine

  • Scott's interview column in Horticulture Magazine, where he engages with influential figures in horticulture and offers a sneak peek into the industry's professionals

  • Enjoying the gardening experience

  • The daily practice of walking through his garden to center himself, providing a quiet moment of reflection and appreciation for the work he has done.

  • The connection between people and plants

  • The impact of plants on hospital patients

  • How small actions like planting a pollinator garden or conservation at home can make a better environment

  • Favorite horticulture book is Hugh Johnson's Principles of Gardening, a comprehensive and readable book that covers the history, science, and various aspects of horticulture

  • The challenge of gardening with a bad back

  • Challenging the common belief that planting small trees results in faster and better growth compared to larger trees

  • The importance of sharing knowledge about soil and how success in gardening is strongly tied to the initial soil preparation and plant choice

  • How to propagate more horticulturists by exposing children to good horticulture through programs and community spaces

  • Learn more about Scott by visiting his website, by reading his articles on GardenRant and Horticulture Magazine, and learning from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanic Garden's website where there are additional resources, including event details, trialing program brochures, and the plant for pollinators initiative.

24. Janet Draper on Creativity at Smithsonian Gardens

Janet Draper Bio

Janet Draper has been the sole gardener for Smithsonian’s Mary Livingston Ripley Garden for 26 years.   This tiny 1/3 of an acre garden is located on the National Mall and is open 24 hours a day to visitors from around the globe.  Janet’s roles in the garden include everything from design and maintenance to cleaning the fountain and answering questions from visitors.  Janet’s approach is to try to do something different every year to challenge herself and to keep educating visitors about the amazing diversity of plants! 

Janet was raised in a rural farming community in Indiana and always knew she wanted to do something with plants. She pursued a bachelor’s in horticulture from Purdue University in 1987. Afterwards, she sought addition training with a series of internships that took her further than she could ever have imagined. She worked at Mt. Cuba Center for the Study of Native Piedmont Plants in Greenville, Delaware before it was open to the public; Kurt Bluemel’s nursery in neighboring Maryland where she learned the European approach to running a nursery, the famed perennial nursery of Countess von Stein-Zeppelin in Germany’s Black Forest, and Beth Chatto at her amazing Nursery and Garden in Elmstead Market, England. 

Once back in the States, she continued to gain experience at numerous nurseries from Long Island to Illinois.  After nearly a decade of working in perennial nurseries, she then started putting plants in the ground instead of little black plastic pots as an estate gardener and contractor for Oehme van Sweden where she helped install and maintain their designs.  She also helped co-found the Annapolis Horticulture Society. You can learn more by visiting Smithsonian Gardens, by contacting Janet at her email address drapeja@si.edu, and by following Smithsonian Gardens on Instagram.

Show Notes

  • Janet shares childhood experiences with gardening and her family's influence and early fascination with growing plants like cotton, Job's Tears, and peanuts

  • Janet talks about studying horticulture at Purdue and the influence of early mentors

  • Recommendations to gain hands-on experience and pursue internships

  • Her first internship at Mt. Cuba Center

  • Valuable lessons learned at Kurt Blumel Nursery

  • Lessons on learning plants and the importance of saying "I don't know"

  • Differences in horticulture education between the US and Europe and changes she would make

  • American Landscape Institute (ALI)

  • Her time in Germany working at Helen von Stein-Zeppelin’s nursery

  • The importance of hands-on learning and being open to new experiences

  • Working at Beth Chatto’s Plants and Gardens

  • Meeting Christopher Lloyd and seeing exciting colors at Great Dixter

  • Contrasting Beth Chatto and Christopher Lloyd’s approaches to combining plants

  • Discussing the influence of both Beth's naturalistic approach and Christopher's bold use of color

  • Janet discusses bouncing between different horticultural roles and eventually moving to Annapolis

  • Founding the Annapolis Horticulture Society and its continued success

  • The transition from private estate work to the public setting of the National Mall

  • The story of the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden at Smithsonian Gardens and how it used to be a road

  • How the garden was designed as raised planters for handicapped accessibility

  • Janet’s approach to garden planning, emphasizing color coordination, texture, and form by flying by the seat of her pants

  • Combining plants with a triangulation method by starting with a core plant, then adding three plants for texture, repeating the process to build outwards

  • Experimenting with new and unique plant varieties

  • Challenges and benefits of planning and adjusting on the go

  • Janet's Access database for tracking plants and their characteristics

  • Challenges during President Obama's first inauguration and how support from community, volunteers, industry friends, and the public led to restoration

  • Increased activity on social media to reach a broader audience by sharing knowledge, beauty, and the joy of gardening with the public

  • Janet's day-to-day adventures and how the garden dictates what needs to be done

  • The dynamic nature of public horticulture and the joy of working in the garden

  • The challenge of keeping the garden fresh and interesting after many years and adapting to the changing climate and finding plants that thrive in the heat and humidity of Washington, D.C.

  • The myth of closing down the garden in winter

  • How gardening is an evolving science

  • Planting what is not in your neighbor’s yard and oaks and embracing diversity

  • Janet shares her passion for the Perennial Plant Association, emphasizing its role in fostering collaboration, information sharing, and learning within the horticulture industry

  • How to propagate more horticulturists by finding passionate people and youth interested in plants and investing in them

  • Learn more by visiting Smithsonian Gardens , contact Janet at her email address drapeja@si.edu, and follow Smithsonian Gardens on Instagram.