Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 102: Favorite Self-Sowers

Episode 102: Favorite Self-Sowers
What if you could have a garden that basically planted itself? The idea isn’t as far-fetched as you might think. Self-sowing plants are delightfully serendipitous plants that will happily disperse seed without any intervention from you. Yes, there ar
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    Video by Danielle Sherry and Carol Collins. Edited by Kara Demos.

    What if you could have a garden that basically planted itself? The idea isn’t as far-fetched as you might think. Self-sowing plants are delightfully serendipitous plants that will happily disperse seed without any intervention from you. Yes, there are lots of plants out there that spread indiscriminately and obnoxiously–but those are not the ones we are discussing in this episode. Instead, we’re focusing on an array of perennials, annuals, and even edibles that will create offspring politely—filling in gaps and blank spots in your beds and borders. The English have embraced the idea of self-sowers more readily than gardeners stateside, but on today’s podcast we argue that opportunistic plants have a place in virtually every garden. Listen now to find out which self-sowers dance through our gardens (and driveways).

    Expert testimony: Amanda Thomsen is a horticulturist, garden designer, and author based in suburban Chicago.

     

    Carol’s Plants

    ‘McKanna Giants’ columbine (Aquilegia ‘McKanna Giants’, Zones 3–10)

    Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum, Zones 5–8)

    Mealycup sage (Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria Blue’ and ‘Victoria White’, Zones 8–10)

    ‘Hon Tsai Tai’ mustard (Brassica rapa ‘Hon Tsai Tai’, annual)

     

    ‘McKanna Giants’ columbine
    ‘McKanna Giants’ columbine

     

    Japanese painted fern
    Japanese painted fern

     

    Mealycup sage
    Mealycup sage

     

    ‘Hon Tsai Tai’ mustard
    ‘Hon Tsai Tai’ mustard

     

    Danielle’s Plants

    Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites, Zones 5–9)

    Mexican speckled tinantia (Tinantia pringlei, Zones  6–10)

    Golden jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum ‘Aurea’, Zones 9–10)

    Foxglove (Digitalis spp. and cvs., Zones 4–9 )

    Myrtle spurge
    Myrtle spurge

     

    Mexican speckled tinantia

    Golden jewels of Opar
    Golden jewels of Opar

     

    Foxglove
    Foxglove

     

    Expert testimony: Amanda Thomsen is a horticulturist, garden designer, and author based in suburban Chicago.

     

    Amanda’s Plants

    ‘Dietrich’s Wild’ broccoli raab (Brassica rapa ‘Dietrich’s Wild’, biennial)

    Bronze fennel (Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’, Zones 4–9)

    Purple shiso (Perilla frutescens, annual)

    Moonflower (Datura innoxia, Zones 9–10)

    ‘Dietrich’s Wild’ broccoli raab, Photo: Amanda Thomsen
    ‘Dietrich’s Wild’ broccoli raab. Photo: Amanda Thomsen

     

    Bronze fennel, Photo: Amanda Thomsen
    Bronze fennel. Photo: Amanda Thomsen

     

    Purple shiso, Photo: Amanda Thomsen
    Purple shiso. Photo: Amanda Thomsen

     

    Moonflower, Photo: Amanda Thomsen
    Moonflower. Photo: Amanda Thomsen

     

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