nativeplantpodcast's podcast: Recent Episodes
The Native Plant Podcast
The death of Mikayla Raines was a shock to the conservation world and in today's show, John speaks with Dan Cole of SavAFox rescue about their work and the consequences of cyber bullying.
John & his wife Susana have been traveling & visiting Ecuador for over thirty years and today they sit down with their good friends Norby & Susana Lopez of Biotropica Expeditions to review a trip they took together.
We're joined today by Dr. Tjite de Vries former head of Biology at La Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. A long time friend of John & Susana's and one of the first scientists to be stationed in the Galapagos Islands studying birds. Listen in as he tells us of his history in Ecuador and biology.
Happy Father's Day everyone! New Dad Chris Fehlhaber sits down with Uli Lorimer and Tim Johnson of the Native Plant Trust to talk about gardening and fatherhood and lessons learned along the way.
Today's episode is dedicated to John's Dad (Sam) who despite growing up during World War 2 and living in downtown Toledo, Ohio still managed to raise food for his family through always having a 'victory garden', a practice he carried on his entire life and passed on to his children teaching them the importance of being able to raise your own food.
Tonight's guest; Maggie Stuckey has authored many books, but tonight, she and John will be discussing her latest; The Container Victory Garden which shows that even the smallest of gardens can be used wisely to help keep fresh foods within reach. We hope you enjoy.
Matthew sits down with fellow New Englander (can we get some Chowda?) Devin Walsh and they explore art in the garden.
Uli Lorimer is director of Horticulture at Garden In The Woods, in Framingham, Massachussettes. Previously, he was curator of Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Native Flora Garden until early 2019. The Delaware native grew up with an interest in all things green, and after receiving an honors degree from the University of Delaware in landscape horticulture, he moved to New York City to become the woodland gardener at Wave Hill.
Uli Lorimer is director of Horticulture at Garden In The Woods, in Framingham, Massachussettes. Previously, he was curator of Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Native Flora Garden until early 2019. The Delaware native grew up with an interest in all things green, and after receiving an honors degree from the University of Delaware in landscape horticulture, he moved to New York City to become the woodland gardener at Wave Hill.
Wild Seed Project builds awareness of the vital importance of native plants and provides all people with the tools to restore biodiversity in their own communities. They equip community members, public officials and municipalities, and land-holding individuals and organizations – from farmers to land trusts – with the skills and resources they need to collectively repopulate landscapes with native plants that expand wildlife habitat, support biodiversity, and build climate resilience.
John sits down with legendary Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf and discusses his new book- 'at Work', landscape design, working with others and a few other topics. There are even a few dog stories.
Gardening Author and Landscape Designer Owen Wormser drops by to spread some wisdom on eliminating lawn and replacing it with habitat, just like he does in his book 'Lawns Into Meadows, Growing a Regenerative Landscape'
OK, so we're not the most organized people in the world- we're sorry. We originally spoke to Don last year, but in an unfortunate sorting incident, we lost the file for a time. We're very glad to have found it though as it is a wonderful piece of entertainment and education. Garden Designer Donald Pell is known for his use of native plants in the landscape and ecological approach to design, but it turns out he also enjoys a good laugh and a craft brew. Welcome to the show Don, we're happy to have you.
John & Susana team up to get us started this year by describing a pretty incredible trip to Ecuador over the winter where they visited Antisana and Chimborazo volcanos and the cloudy forest of Papallacta (pronounced- Papayakta). They also update us on co-hosts and joke around a bit while celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. Thanks for joining us once again, we hope you'll enjoy another great season of the Native Plant Podcast.
- One of the most influential landscape architects in practice today, Laurie Olin has created designs for the Washington Monument grounds and the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden in Washington, D/.D., Bryant Park in New York City, Getty Center in Los Angeles, and many other iconic landscapes. More recent projects include the AIA award-winning Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, Apple Park in Cupertino, and Simon and Helen Director Park in Portland Oregon. All of these works were realized under the auspices of OLIN, the firm he cofounded in 1976. Laurie is a prolific writer and a Practice Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. He began his career studying civil engineering at the University of Alaska and ended up earning a degree from the University of Washington where Richard Haag encouraged him to focus on landscape. (for those of you who don’t know of Richard Haag, google Gasworks Park in Seattle and Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island). He is a fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, a fewllow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and recipient of the 1998 Award in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He is the recipient of the 2012 National Medal of Arts, the highest lifetime achievement award for artists and designers bestowed by the National Endowment for the Arts and the President of the United States. He also holds the 2011 American Society of Landscape Architects Medal, the society’s highest award for a landscape architect.
Jeff Lorenz is the founder of Refugia Design, an ecological landscape design/build and stewardship firm, based out of Narberth, PA. Since 2015, Refugia has been offering distinctive native landscape design for both residential and commercial green spaces throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area and Jersey Shore. Annual major exhibitor and award-winners at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Philadelphia Flower Show, Refugia is known for an immersive, naturalistic design aesthetic and meadow expertise at projects ranging in size from city yards to suburban estates.
James Golden’s garden design has been featured in national and international magazines, in The New York Times, and in several books on garden design. He has been the recipient of national awards and is widely known in the gardening world through his garden blog View from Federal Twist (www.federaltwist.com). James’ Federal Twist garden regularly appears on tours of the Garden Conservancy, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Hardy Plant Society, and on numerous private tours. Recently retired, he has started a garden design practice.
James Golden’s garden design has been featured in national and international magazines, in The New York Times, and in several books on garden design. He has been the recipient of national awards and is widely known in the gardening world through his garden blog View from Federal Twist (www.federaltwist.com). James’ Federal Twist garden regularly appears on tours of the Garden Conservancy, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Hardy Plant Society, and on numerous private tours. Recently retired, he has started a garden design practice.
We’re all about the graminoids this week with our long-time friend and boomerang guest, Shannon Currey. Since taping the show, Shannon has transitioned from her role as Marketing Director with Hoffman Nursery to pursue a career in horticulture communication, education, and consulting. Her wealth of knowledge when it comes to grasses and sedges for the market (especially natives), has no equal, and we had a great time talking about all our favorites (and some new things to try as well)!
We hope you’ll enjoy listening as much as John & Preston had recording the episode. Thanks Shannon, and good luck with your new journey!
We’re all about the graminoids this week with our long-time friend and boomerang guest, Shannon Currey. Since taping the show, Shannon has transitioned from her role as Marketing Director with Hoffman Nursery to pursue a career in horticulture communication, education, and consulting. Her wealth of knowledge when it comes to grasses and sedges for the market (especially natives), has no equal, and we had a great time talking about all our favorites (and some new things to try as well)!
We hope you’ll enjoy listening as much as John & Preston had recording the episode. Thanks Shannon, and good luck with your new journey!
Jared Barnes, Ph.D., started gardening when he was five years old, and since then has enthusiastically pursued how to best cultivate plants and minds. He currently fulfills those passions as an award-winning associate professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX.
He educates the public with his weekly newsletter PlantEd and more recently through his Podcast- "The Plantastic Podcast". His passion has been recognized by peers in interviews in Organic Gardening, Greenhouse Grower, AmericanHort Connect, Ken Druse’s Real Dirt, and Nursery Management, and his articles have appeared in The American Gardener, Fine Gardening and Carolina Gardener and now here, on the Native Plant Podcast.
Laurie is a distinguished teacher, author, and one of the most renowned landscape architects practicing today. From vision to realization, he has guided many of OLIN’s signature projects, which span the history of the studio from the Washington Monument Grounds in Washington, DC to Bryant Park in New York City. His recent projects include the AIA award-winning Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Simon and Helen Director Park in Portland, Oregon.
Sean received a Bachelor's in Horticulture and a Master's degree in Plant & Environmental Science from Clemson University where he focused on nutrient media in tissue culture propagation. His professional background includes private residential horticulture, greenhouse and nursery production, plant nutrient management in soil-less media, and temperate woody plant propagation and conservation. As the Arnold Arboretum's Plant Propagator, Sean continues a 150 year tradition of growing woody temperate species from seed, cuttings, grafts, layers, and more; as well as being given the honor to travel and wild collect plants for the Arnold Arboretum.
Before serving as Horticulturist of Haskell Public Gardens, Mc Cullin was the Senior Horticulturalist at The Native Plant Trusts Garden in the Woods. Prior to that, McCullin was selected as a Garden Club of America and Royal Society of Horticulture Scholar to intern at a variety of important public gardens in the UK. She also served as an apprentice at Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum in Boston, and as a Landscape Coordinator at the Central Park Conservancy in New York City. McCullin has a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She lives in Acushnet, Massachusetts with her horticulturist husband Nate and their daughter Kalmia.
Jenn Myers drops by to chat with John and Preston about things that landscape companies can do to attract and maintain professional staffs
Miles Hilton Connors is Director of Parterre Ecological, a specialized division within Parterre Garden Services that integrates principles of ecology and horticulture to protect, promote and restore native plant communities.
Chris & John host Andrea Amaya with all of her plant knowledge and work she's helping the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center do, she's a wealth of information.
- Kyle Lybarger is a Forester, a conservation influencer, and a life long outdoorsman from Hartselle, Alabama. Kyle holds a Bachelors degree in Forestry ,with a concentration in Forest Science, from Alabama A&M University. His love for the outdoors and wildlife led him to native plants since they are the foundation of wildlife habitat. With his presence on TikTok (@NativePlantTok) and his passion for managing native ecosystems he has started the Native Habitat Project where he’s continuing to save what’s left of forgotten ecosystems and conserving the important plant species that exist there.
Emma Marris is the author of Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World and Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post-Wild World.
She also writes about the human and nonhuman worlds, and the enduringly complex relationships between them for National Geographic, the Atlantic, the New York Times, Wired, and other publications. She lives in Oregon with her husband--with whom she occasionally co-authors environmental philosophy papers--and their two children.
We're more than honored to have a very special guest to start off Season 7. Professor Morrison's legendry work and contributions to our field are unparrelleled and we're thrilled to have him as our guest.
Saturnia Farm in Clyde North Carolina is a nursery, flower farm, and homestead with growing and land management practices guided by principals of beauty, permaculture, and ecology. Their mission is to provide holistically-grown, affordable, specialty perennials, natives, and edible landscaping plants for the beautification and ecological benefit of Western North Carolina.
Two friends of ours have joined forces to give us all some great suggestions for deer resistant plants for the Northeast United States. Gregg Tepper has been on the podcast before, but this time he brings one of our favorite gardening authors; Ruth Rogers Clausen. The two have combined their knowledge and poured it all into this wonderful book.
Following in the footsteps of Frank Lloyd Wright, Tony Gomez- Philips helps to update classic design into a more sustainable light at Monona Terrace in Wisconsin.
Tonight on the show we have gardener, writer, speaker and overall beneficial insect enthusiast Jessica Walliser. She is a former contributing editor for Organic Gardening and a regular contributor to many national gardening publications. Her two weekly gardening columns for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review have been enjoyed by readers for over ten years. Her book, Attracting Beneficial Bugs to the Garden: A Natural Approach to Pest Control, was awarded the American Horticultural Society’s Book Award. Jessica received her degree in ornamental horticulture from The Pennsylvania State University. Jessica lives and gardens northwest of Pittsburgh with her husband and son, six chickens, two cats, two hermit crabs, and billions and billions of very good bugs.
Jeff Epping has been Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison WI, since 1992 where he oversees horticultural operations and the garden designs of more than 15 inspirational garden areas showcasing fantastic plants for Southern Wisconsin. Jeff and his talented staff have practiced and preached sustainable gardening for years with environmentally conscious cultural practices and innovative, award-winning designs.
Sam Droege has spent most of his career at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. He has coordinated the North American Breeding Bird Survey Program, developed the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program, the BioBlitz, Cricket Crawl, and FrogwatchUSA programs and worked on the design and evaluation of monitoring programs. Currently he is developing an inventory and monitoring program for native bees, online identification guides for North American bees at www.discoverlife.org, and with Jessica Zelt reviving the North American Bird Phenology Program. His group maintains high resolution photographs of insects an other macro natural history objects at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/
A child of the Midwest, Mark Dwyer is a passionate gardener, plants person, designer, horticulture speaker, educator and author. He has degrees in landscape architecture (University of Illinois) and urban forestry (UW-Stevens Point) and is former Director of Horticulture at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville WI. Currently Mark is the proprietor of Landscape Prescriptions by MD where he brings good design and an innovative use of plants to create landscapes of beauty and function for clients. Mark’s true passions lie not only in gardening, but in inspiring others to enjoy plants in both personal and public settings in our daily lives with everyone in any circumstance or venue.
Dr. Amy Venclik/ Johnson is a conservation scientist and Program Director for Virginia Working Landscapes, a community-based research program at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institiute. In this role, Amy leads a team that cultivates a dynamic network of private landowners, citizen scientists, NGO’s, state agencies and research scientists to collectively investigate the impacts of conservation management and land use on biodiversity in the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont regions of VA. In addition to research, she is committed to developing a strong outreach program that communicates research findings to help inform best management practices for regional conservation partners and the community.
During her Ph.D. research with George Mason University, Amy focused on the impacts of conservation and land management on breeding and over-wintering grassland bird communities in Virginia. In her role as Program Director, she continues to explore knowledge gaps pertaining to grassland bird ecology by facilitating collaborative conservation and research efforts with Smithsonian scientists and local partners. Her current research projects focus on full annual cycle modeling of grassland birds and exploring best management practices for optimizing reproductive success in species that nest in working grasslands.
Former Cullowhee Scholarship winner and current Landscape Architect Sadie Walters drops by to chat with John & Preston about her new project promoting sustainable charging stations for electric vehicles.
This week, John & Chris sit down with Dr. Sara 'Fern' Fitzsimmons to talk about her love of one of America's most iconic trees- the American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) and to talk about it's chances of a future return to our forests.
- Eleanor Allen is the CEO of Water For People, a global nonprofit working in Africa, Latin America, and Asia to help develop sustainable water and sanitation services for millions of people. She's a social entrepreneur recognized by the Schwab Foundation, a TEDx speaker, a Water Environment Federation Fellow, and an influential Woman of Water. She serves on the board of Parametrix and the University of Colorado. We welcome her here today to talk with us about the Global Water Crisis.
Author, Naturalist and all around good guy, Dr. Doug Tallamy joins John Magee and Capital Naturalist Alonso Abugattas to discuss one of the most important trees we can add to our landscapes- the Oak (Quercus spp.). Known to support some 570 species of life, nothing can be more supportive to wildlife habitat than our most essential tree- the mighty Oak.
During a career spanning more than 30 years, Professor Jeff Ollerton has established himself as one of the world’s leading experts on pollinators and pollination. The author of more than 120 articles and book chapters, his highly-cited, ground-breaking research has been used by national and international agencies to support efforts to conserve pollinators and their pollination services. Jeff is also in demand as an advisor and consultant to governments, local authorities, printed and broadcast media, and funding organisations
For the last 10 years, Matthew Martin has been managing the buildings and grounds of the Danvers Historical Society. There, Matthew's mission has been to restore the historic gardens as well as implement strategies to build resiliency into the landscape. Matthew also has a strong passion for using horticulture as a vehicle to educate the community about history, nature and our place in nature.
Matt Bright has been the Conservation Manager at Earth Sangha, an organization his parents founded in 1998 since 2011. Before that, he worked as a volunteer firefighter and EMT while attending Kenyon College in Ohio. Matt now splits his time between managing the Wild Plant Nursery -- Washington DC region's largest grower of exclusively local ecotype native plants, collecting seeds, sustainably and with permission from wild plant populations, and assisting with local restoration projects.
Celia Vuocolo manages PEC’s Sustainable Habitat Program. She works with landowners interested in managing their property for wildlife habitat, provides outreach and education on wildlife and land stewardship, works on wildlife conservation policy issues and watershed-scale restoration initiatives, and also manages PEC’s conservation lands. She's here today to talk to us about the work PEC is doing to protect trout habitat and the role native plants play in that process.
On today's show, John sits down with Michael Myers of the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy to talk about how local non-profits can help educate the public and conserve areas for wildlife habitat.
Beth Ginter, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, drops by to tell us about their certification for Professional Landscapers (CBLP) to help clean storm water runoff before it reaches the Bay.
Smithsonian Botanist John Boggan drops by to talk about why plants are named as they are and why plant names change from time to time.
At long last season 6 has arrived and in this first episode, John previews what we'll be diving into.
We went down to the NPP basement and did some searching for this one. Originally recorded in 2017, this show was 'lost' after recording and so some things may be out of date. things like the fact that Bill is no longer at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and is now at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia.
Uli Lorimer drops by to talk about the work being done with the Native Plant Trust and how to find good natives in the trade.
Another visitor from the Buckeye State as Andrew Lane Gibson joins John Magee & John Manion to discuss a lot of Orchids and other school stuff from across the state and beyond.
Susana's long time friend and Ecotourist Guide Norby Lopez drops in to chat with John & Susana about his industry and the changes that are happening due to the Coronavirus.
Join John & John as they interview Dr. Joyce Klaus and her husband Nathan Klaus about controlled burns.
Ana Maria León and her Husband Roy Diblik stop by to talk permaculture, raising your own food and doing good things for others, also known as helping out your community.
John & Susana sit down with Dr. Daniel Medina to talk about carbon sequestration and green infrastructure. How can we design our infrastructure to function better in a changing environment? Tune in to see.
Has humanity had such an influence upon the Earth that future generations will look back and see our indelible mark? Plastic? Splitting the atom? Moving invasive species from place to place? Is this the Anthropocene? Is this the age of man? Join John & Dr. Michael Osborne as they try and examine things in their own kind of way.
Jennifer Ceska coordinates all conservation activities at the State Botanical Garden, she coordinates the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance and the Georgia Native Plant Initiative, collaborating with colleagues in the Plant Conservation Program on the recovery of rare plant populations and the restoration of native habitats, she also inspires people to care about and value plants and all of the services they provide.
Janet Draper has served as Horticulturist for the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden since 1997. She earned her BS in Horticulture from Purdue University and has worked at the Ball Seed Company, Mt Cuba Center, Kurt Bluemel, Inc, the Plantage, Homestead Gardens and as a contractor for Oehme, van Sweden Associates. She has international horticultural experience through the Beth Chatto Gardens in England and the Staudengartnerei Grafin von Stein-Zeppelin in Germany. She was the President of the Perennial Plant Association from 2017-2019 and continues to serve on the Board of Directors for the PPA.
Dr. Fernando Rodriguez is a life long friend of Mother of Chewy Susana Struve's. He joins us today to talk about his research into the study of Pollen, also known as Palynology. Learn how scientists are studying historic pollen deposits to determine and predict climate trends and especially how our climate has been in the past.
Future Dr. Katie Horton drops by to bring John & John up to date on her favorite Genus; Calycanthus Join us as we explore all the reasons everyone should have one of these plants.
Amy is the Director of Collections at Mt. Cuba Center and oversees both living and non-living collections. Currently she is engaged in expanding the genetic diversity of the gardens, developing standards for organizational learning, and coordinating the center's conservation efforts.
Join Western North Carolina (WNC)-based consulting botanist/plant ecologist Owen Carson as he delves into bogs of the southeast to explore their bio-geography, floral rarity and morphological specialization, and how they ultimately operate as a refuge for future sources of biodiversity within the greater landscape.
John & Susana met Evodia many moons ago at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, PA. They've remained friends ever since and in this episode, you'll get to meet the Dr. side of Evodia as we talk about the benefits of small, local markets and how this helps with sustainable agriculture and promoting native plants that might be edible.
Past guest John Manion joins the show as a co-host and invites his good friend Dr. Tom Diggs of the University of North Georgia to talk about Glade habitats and what it is to inspire others through teaching.
Chris Fehlhaber joins the cast of the podcast and brings with him his friend Lucy Dinsmore, the warm hearted horticulturalist to talk about (among other things) women in horticulture.
John sits down with GIS specialist Ben Nyberg to talk about how drones are being used to change the way scientists are conserving rare flora and fauna. Hawaii is known for a high rate of endemism, because of this, rare species can be difficult to locate. Drones are now changing where scientists can go and what they can do.
John's wife, Susana Struve is joining the podcast this season as a co-host(ess). Learn a little bit more about the crazy adventures she and John have had together and have also had apart.
The long wait is over as John welcomes us into season five and lets everyone know what to expect. Lots of big things on the way of course, so sit back and enjoy the ride- welcome to season five!
John has some updates for season 5 to share with everyone and reminds all to subscribe and rate the show.
John sits down with one of Don Leopold's grad students and talks about their research on green roofs with marginal plants. Plant nerd stuff galore today. :)
Dendrologist Dr. Don Leopold drops by to talk about some of our favorite native trees and how they can be used in the landscape.
Can Hip Hop save the world? Can it bring new people to the field of Forestry and horticulture? Well, today's guest thinks so and is living proof of it. Tune in to a different kind of show today.
One of our favorite friends of all time; Nadine Phillips to stop in and talk about one of her favorite topics- Forest Bathing. Is nature important to you? Should it be? Spoiler alert: you do!
Should we consider ecology while designing a landscape? Well we think so and this week we've invited Landscape Designer Jessi Bloom to talk about it with us. In her book "Creating Sanctuary" she delves into what makes a space 'sacred' and how you can do the same in your landscape. Join us as we talk about an important topic in landscape design.
John reminisces his childhood growing up in Ohio and visiting the natural areas of the state with Naturalist Jim McCormac. Jim is now retired from the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, but he will always hold a love for the flora and fauna of the Buckeye State.
Author and Director of Horticulture at the Des Moines Botanical Garden Kelly Norris drops by to talk about 'style' in the garden.
You know him as David Mizejewski, Naturalist for the National Wildlife Federation and Author of Attracting Birds, Butterflies and other backyard wildlife, but we know him as 'Dave' fellow podcasting nerd, D&D player and Elf Quest aficionado- not to mention Star Wars fan(atic). Join us for a journey through it all including some great information about the NWF's "Gardening for Wildlife" month and lots of things to look for in the updated version of his book.
Our good friend John Manion drops by to talk about the upcoming Birmingham Botanical Garden Native Plant Conference being held this month. Fascinating topics, speakers and field trips await you in Birmingham! Oh, we drop a little plant knowledge along the way as well.
John sits down with new friend to the Show Alan Branhagen and they have a conversation about some of the best natives for Midwest gardens.
Gardening author and founder of the Old Growth Forest Network Joan Maloof drops by to share some thoughts about the importance of protecting what little old growth forest we have left.
Gardening Author Thomas Christopher has written and co-authored a number of fine books about gardening. Join us today as Preston and John sit down with him and learn a little bit more about Tom and what drives his passion.
A long time friend of the show- Dr. Dawn Sherry drops by to discuss this year's Cullowhee Native Plant Conference; the field trips, the speakers and the fun.
John goes for a walk in the woods with Capital Naturalist Alonso Abugattas to explore the activity in vernal pools created by the Arlington County Park Authority.
One thing we like to encourage at the Native Plant Podcast is supporting non-profit organizations who are making direct impacts on their local communities and today Preston sits down with the fine folks of "Trees Atlanta" to talk about how they work and what types of programs they have going on and what you might be able to do to help them, or to start your own way of helping out where you are.
Noted Horticulturist and Author Christopher Woods talks about his passion for gardening and his new book covering some of the best new gardens of the world.
Our old friend Matt Candeis of the In Defense of Plants Podcast drops in to talk about the new book from the Smithsonian Institution that he helped to write.
John & Preston have been wanting to do a show on water gardens for sometime. This is the last episode of season 3 and will hopefully get you started on your own little water project.
One of our industry's 'up & comers' drops by for a chat with John & Preston. Taylor Williams owns 'Will Garden' and we talk design, maintenance and having the right experience for the job.
Derrick Jensen sits down with John and chats about where we are headed with our society and if we should even have a society.
John attended the 'Poster Session' at Cullowhee this year where each recipient is required to do a poster explaining their work.
We like to highlight some emerging professionals in the Green Industry on our show to give them an opportunity to share new research and insight they are bringing to our community. Tonight Preston sits down with a friend and former student, Mr. Owen Washam to talk about his research focusing on carnivorous plants.
Preston's new friend Felder Rushing sits down with John and he for a conversation about taking the time to enjoy your garden.
John & Jesse sit down with Professor James Hitchmough, Head of Department of the School of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield.
Andrew Moore is here to talk about his James Beard nominated book "Paw-Paw, America's forgotten fruit.
Professor Aaron Ellison drops by (again) to talk about one of his and our favorite topics; carnivorous plants and his new book which updates Darwin's work on the subject.
John & Preston interview Stephen Bloodworth about his role as the Curator of the Bloomquist gardens at the Sarah P. Duke Botanical Gardens.
Judy Venonsky and Chris Landau of Olin Studios drop by to talk about some of the design tools they've developed to help simplify and expedite their designs.
Mark Richardson and Dan Jaffe have a new book about native plants for New England gardens and they discuss the book among other things with John & Preston.
Craig Tufts was not only the Chief Naturalist at the National Wildlife Federation for many years, he was a big influence in many young naturalists lives. On this very special show, listen in as John sits down with Craig's son Ben and NWF staff members David Mizejewski and Ellen Lambeth to reminisce about their memories of a great man.
David Buckley Borden and Aaron Ellison from the Harvard Forest drop by to chat with John about their Hemlock Hospice art project that is bringing attention to the blight of the Eastern Hemlock.
Craig Limpach of Genius Loci sits down with John to talk about a sense of place and eco design vs eco restoration.
Our old friend Ian Caton of Wood Thrush Natives Nursery drops by and talks about the variation he sees within a species.
John & Preston converse about where things have been and where they are going. Is the native plant movement stronger now, or does it still have a ways to go?
You've probably heard John talking about Grandma Bender's influence on his gardening habits, but it was his Mom who spent the most time with him and had many influences of her own. She passed away on December 5th and John pays tribute to her memory here.
Professor James Costa of Western Carolina University stops by to talk about his new book which highlights experiments Darwin did in his backyard to help prove his theories. Now you can re-create them too!
Ethan Dropkin 'drops' in on John & Preston to talk about plants, design and sustainability.
Matt Candeias drops by and has a chat with John about plants and podcasting. They also go into Matt's research on Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia) and what it is to be a modern day communicator.
Preston's friend Danesha Smith Carley drops by and helps Preston on his first solo flight on the NPP. Sustainability is the topic; how do you define it, how do you practice it and how can golf courses improve their sustainable practices?
Dr. Chuck Cannon drops by to drop some serious science on John & Preston. What's life in the Anthropocene like? How can life adapt? Tune in to find out!
Cullowhee scholarship winner Eleis Lester drops by to drop a lot of deep thoughts on us about the future and what our roll can be in making it a better place and oh yeah; Girl Power!
John takes over the show this week with a virtual tour of his garden. John got a new recording device and wanted to test it out, so please let us know what you think.
Bob Lyons has been inspiring students for most of his career. Well, this week, one of his old students (Preston) and John sit down and have a one on one about what makes Bob tick and what it is to inspire so many young horticulturists
John gives some updates about future episodes along with enjoying the solar eclipse of 2017
Rick Huffman joins Mike & Preston for an interesting conversation about plants and planting (along with a few other things).
Erica Galentin drops by for an evening of fun and plant talk with John & Mike. Erika shares her wealth of knowledge on medicinal plants.
John, Mike, Jesse and Preston host a group of plant campers at the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference
Wendy Brister- Brand new Director of the Millersville Native Plant Conference sits down with John & Preston to talk about what it takes to pull off an event like this conference.
Preston and John sit down with Sue Wolfe, the lady that introduced John to natives some 30 years ago in a little place called Hawk Mountain. We hope you enjoy this very special episode.
Monarch butterflies are in a critical time in their evolution. Threats from habitat loss and pesticide use are hindering their ability to recover. Kylee's new book 'The Monarch' tells us what we can do to help them recover, right in our own backyards
Jeff Lowenfels was once known as 'America's dirtiest Lawyer', but since his retirement from Law, he has written the Trilogy of all Trilogies, thus making him 'Lord of the Root'. Join us as we wonder our way through an under-ground forest of microbes and fungi and all kinds of fun critters. If you're not careful, you might learn something along the way. :)
Heather Holm sits down with John & Preston and chats about her new book Bees and the native plants they forage
Tony Avent has long been an innovator in our industry and as you'll hear, has also always been a champion of native plants. We may not always agree on everything, but it was an interesting conversations with one of the top plantsman in the country.
Assistant Horticulturist Chris Fehlhaber gives us the inside view on the design aspects of Chanticleer Garden. Listen as John & Preston go behind the scenes of one of America's favorite gardens.
This week is part two of John’s conversation with Mike about Green Roofs. In this episode they cover more plants and the practicality of planning your own green roof.
Mike Berkley of Growild Natives has been working on Green Roofs now for a while. In tonight's show (Part one of two), John sits down with Mike, cracks open a beer and chats about green roofs.
Noted plantsman Allen Bush director o special projects at Jiletto seed drops by and talks about native plants and their place in the market with John & Mike
Winter can be the toughest time to keep your garden interesting. Unless of course, you listen to John, Mike and Preston discuss how they keep things interesting during the colder months.
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) has been working to conserve land since the 70's. Listen in to learn how they've been so affective in restoring beauty to the Piedmont region of Virginia. George Ohrstrom and Chris Miller join us to discuss the importance of land conservation.
John, Mike, Jesse and Preston sit back and reminisce over the past years successes, favorite moments and fun. Join in and remember the first year of the podcast with us!
Dr. Allan Armitage stops by to speak with John & Preston about the marketability of native plants and what the Box stores are looking for in a marketable plant.
Preston Montague joins John on this show to interview Tony Spencer about design influences and modern movements
Naturalist and Blogger Alonso Abugattas drops by to talk about urban wildlife and native plants
Joe Imhoff and Sara Tekula who are creating the documentary "Plant a wish" join John for a special episode of the NPP
Dr. Doug Tallamy, Professor of Entomology at the University of Delaware and Author of "Bringing Nature Home" and "The Living Landscape" (Co-authored with Rick Darke) drops by to talk about the health of nature in our own backyards and what we can do to help heal the planet.
Andropogon Associates has long been one of the leaders in sustainable designs and this week, one of their Landscape Architects; Emily McCoy Monette drops by to discuss working with native plants and some of the projects they have.
Brian Jorg- Manager of the Native Plant Program at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens stops by to chat with John & Mike about the native plant program at the Zoo (among other things)
R. Scott Beuerlein of the Cincinnati Botanical Gardens (and Zoo) hosts John & Mike at the 6th annual Native Plant Symposium.
Dr. Linda Cayot of the Galapagos Conservancy stops by to talk about conservation issues facing the Galapagos Islands
Dr. Dwayne estes from Austin Peay University in Middle TN drops by to talk with John and Mike about sedges and such.
John & Mike spend some time talking about some of their favorite native plants for the late summer/ fall garden
Edible plants expert and Author Leda Meredith stops by to talk with John & Mike about her books on foraging, caring for your harvest and some recipes to boot.
Preston Montague is an artist, educator, and landscape designer who developed a passion for the natural world while growing up in the rural foothills of Virginia. Currently, he lives in Raleigh, North Carolina working on projects that encourage stronger relationships between people and their environment for the purpose of improving public health.
The 2017 Garden Blogger's Fling is being held in the Washington DC Metro area. Tammy Schmitt from Casa Mariposa drops by to talk abut the beautiful gardens people can expect to see.
James Brown, owner of New Moon Nursery and fellow native plant enthusiast sits down with us to talk about some of his favorite native plants
Mike is off this week get caught up from not being at home for a week, so John & Jesse sit down with 2016 Cullowhee Native Plant Conference Director Pete Schubert and give a review of how this year's conference was.
Larry Weiner has been designing sustainable landscapes since the 70’s. He and co-author Thomas Christopher have put together an outstanding book about how our landscapes can be sources of environmental change.
Hometown Habitat is a new film created by Catherine Zimmerman and her team at the Meadow Project. Catherine stops by to talk with John & Mike about some of her inspirations and latest projects.
We've let Jesse out of the NPP basement again to talk native plants for the summer garden. Have a listen and hopefully we'll learn ya somethin'. :)
You've heard John and Mike talk quite often about friends they've met at the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference and today, they speak with Dennis Neimeyer who was at one time, one of the directors of the conference.
John & Mike sit down with famed botanist John Bartram which if you think about it, is kind of a miracle since Mr. Bartram passed away in 1777
Our buddy Adam Bigelow stops by to speak with John & Mike about the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference and the Cullowhee Community garden along with some wildflower classes he's teaching in the area
Shannon Currey has been in love with grasses and sedges for a long, long time. Listen in as she shares with Mike, John and Jesse about the new cultivars of native grasses and grass-like plants hitting the market.
Photographer, plants man, moss man, our friend J. Paul Moore stops by discuss his latest gadgets, his moss lawn and some of his favorite native plants
Gregg Tepper stops by to chat with us about happenings at the Delaware Botanic Gardens and of course, he Mike go off on a tangent or two talking plants. Enjoy!
National Wildlife Federation Naturalist David Mizejewski talks gardening for wildlife, using native plants as to establish habitat in your backyard, his new TV show, his dog and of course- beer with John & Mike
Our good friend George Morris stops by to talk with Mike & Jesse about stream bank restoration, highland games and of course; beer.
Jesse Turner drops by again to talk to Mike & John about native plants for the spring garden
Steve Bender, Southern Living's notorious "Grumpy Gardener" stops by to talk with Mike & John about hating natives, all things Crepe Myrtle and of course, how there's never enough cowbell in the world.
A pioneer in the native plant industry and recognized internationally as an expert in native community ecology, Neil Diboll has guided the growth of Prairie Nursery for 30 years. He has dedicated his life to the propagation of native plants and their promotion as uniquely beautiful, ecologically beneficial and sustainable solutions for landscapes and gardens. In 2013 Neil was the recipient of the Great American Gardeners Award from the American Horticultural Society. Today, Neil sits down with Mike & John for a chat
In this episode, John talks with us about the South Eastern Native Plant Conference and the degree in Native Plant Studies the Botanical garden now offers.
Thomas Rainer joins Mike & John to discuss his new book 'Planting in a post wild world' and some of the reactions he's had since its publishing.
John and Mike get the inside scoop on complex horticulture required to make the flower show so awesome.
Dale Hendricks of Green Light plants joins Mike & john to talk about Permaculture, Native Plants, Dogs and Beer.
Miriam Goldberger, Author of "Taming Wildflowers joins us to talk about her views on Landscaping with Native Plants