It doesn’t matter whether we’ve been naughty (Danielle) or nice (Carol) this year—we’re still going ahead and adding plenty of plants to our wish lists. We’re talking about trees that we’ve had our eyes on for months and a perennial that shines in spring and summer before lighting up electric yellow in fall. Many of these plants will be new to nurseries this coming spring, while others have been around a bit longer. If you’re wondering what plants the hosts of a podcast all about plants dream and drool over, tune in today. Because visions of sugarplums don’t dance through our heads—but visions of coneflowers do!

Expert guest: Laura Trowbridge is a garden designer based in Peterborough, New Hampshire. You can read her article from issue #177 here: How to Use Annuals in Your Garden.

Danielle’s Plants

‘Lady Sunshine’ dove tree (Davidia involucrata ‘Lady Sunshine’, Zones 6–8)

Magical^® Moonlight button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis ‘Kolmoon’, Zones 5–9)

‘Stained Glass’ liverleaf (Hepatica nobilis ‘Stained Glass’, Zones 4–8)

‘Fiery Meadow Mama’ coneflower (Echinacea ‘Fiery Meadow Mama’, Zones 5–9)

Carol’s Plants

‘Seventh Inning Stretch’ bluestar (Amsonia illustris ‘Seventh Inning Stretch’, Zones 5–9)

‘Giggles’ dahlia (Dahlia ‘Giggles’, Zones 8–10)

Owl’s claws (Hymenoxys hoopesii, Zones 5–9)

‘Golden Delicious’ salvia (Salvia elegans ‘Golden Delicious’, Zones 8–11)

Expert’s Plants

‘Burgundy Spice’ sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus var. purpureus ‘Burgundy Spice’, Zones 6–9)

Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius, biennial, Zones 5–9)

‘Amistad’ salvia (Salvia ‘Amistad’, Zones 8b–11)

Lion’s ear (Leonotis leonurus, Zones 8–11)