Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 7: Plants We Always Kill

June 8, 2017

Although we love them, these beauties don’t love us back

Have you ever fallen in love with a plant so deeply, you’ve purchased–then killed it–several times? If the answer is yes, we can relate. This episode features plants that hosts Steve Aitken and Danielle Sherry just can’t seem to ever keep alive. Richard Hawke, plant evaluations manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden joins in the fun and shares his plant failures, too. Because, doesn’t it make you feel better when the experts admit to killing things, just like the rest of us?  

Expert: Richard Hawke, plant evaluation manager for the Chicago Botanic Garden.

(Bergenia spp. and cvs.) is often called pig squeak which would make you think it’s thick and hearty like a slab of bacon—but not for Steve, who likes to kill bergenia on a regular basis.

It thrived on neglect in the Fine Gardening test garden, but at Danielle’s house Bowles' golden sedge (Carex elata 'Aurea') bit the dust. Maybe it’s because she cares too much?  

Sun king aralia (Aralia cordata 'Sun King'). Steve can’t grow it but Danielle can, proving that perhaps she’s not as bad of a gardener as Steve claims.

The expert guest on this episode, Richard Hawke of the Chicago Botanic Garden, has killed many, many, many peach-leaved bellflower (Campanula persicifolia) . Exactly how many? Listen to find out. 

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.
Buy at Amazon
X
View Comments

Comments

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Related Articles

The Latest

How-To
Keep Moth Orchids Happy and They’ll Bloom Year After Year

For many people, picking up a potted moth ­orchid (Phalaenopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 10–12) is like buying cut flowers; they don’t care for the plant once it stops blooming.…
Design
4 Luck® Red Stripes White Variegated Clover Adds a Little Luck to Your Pots

While many gardeners might label white clover as a weed, this fast-filling, variegated selection is cute as a button in containers. With a mix of 3- and 4-palmate leaves, you’ll…
Design
Garden Tour of a Sustainable Native Plant Oasis Bursting with Fall Color

When Jeff Lorenz and Kayla Fell purchased this property in the Philadelphia suburbs, they knew they had their work cut out for them. A front and back yard of mostly…

Video

View All Videos
Design

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping—not because you’re likely to trip on something, but because you might be dive-bombed by a pair…
Design

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder's Garden
Design

Garden Tour of a Sustainable Native Plant Oasis Bursting with Fall Color
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 170: High-Impact Native Plants with Uli Lorimer  
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 169: Great Foundation Plants