Always give a gift that you yourself would like to receive. That’s excellent advice when it comes to life—and as gardeners, we can extend that sentiment to giving plants as gifts. Ask yourself: what plants would I like to get as a gift? We had a lot of fun on today’s episode, imagining the scenarios in which we’d give our friends, neighbors, or even strangers particular plants that would convey our feelings of happiness, sympathy, or just pure joy. Need a wedding present that’s truly unique this season? Well, give a listen to our suggestion for a perfect small tree that will grow right along with the love that the couple has for one another. (OK, we promise, the other suggestions aren’t nearly as sappy.)

Special guest: Scott Endres is a designer and horticulturist at Tangletown Gardens in Minneapolis.

Carol’s Plants

‘Pink Cotton Candy’ betony (Stachys ‘Pink Cotton Candy’, Zones 4–8)

Tiger Eyes^® sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’, Zones 4–8)

Wabi Sabi^® doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum ‘SMVPTFD’, Zones 5–8)

‘Groovy’ dahlia (Dahlia ‘Groovy’, Zones 9–11)

Danielle’s Plants

‘Wolf Eyes’ kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Wolf Eyes’, Zones 5–8)

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis, Zones 4–8)

‘Major Wheeler’ honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens ‘Major Wheeler’, Zones 4–8)

‘Mediopicta Alba’ agave (Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’, Zones 8–11)

Guest’s Plants

‘Bartzella’ Itoh peony (Paeonia ‘Bartzella’, Zones 4–9)

‘Jade Butterflies’ ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba ‘Jade Butterflies’, Zones 4–8)

Pink jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum, Zones 8–11)

Chinese money plant or friendship plant (Pilea peperomioides, Zones 9b–11)