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We’re nearing our 150^th episode mark and for us, that has meant a lot of plants discussed. But it’s also meant a lot of great guest appearances. As you know, each episode we ask an expert from the field of horticulture to lend us their brains and weigh-in on some great plant choices for the topic at hand. We’ve had guests who made us laugh, think twice about a much-maligned perennial, or even come to realize that there are far better options out there for our gardens. Who was our funniest guest? The one that made us seriously reconsider our planting choices? Or the one who made us grip the steering wheel with white knuckles (yes—that did actually happen)? Tune in now to find out and listen to our favorite guest segments.

Featured guests:

·       Riz Reyes, a horticulturist and floral designer based in Seattle.

·       Richard Hawke is the director of ornamental plant research at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois.

·       Irvin Etienne is curator of herbaceous plants and seasonal garden design for The Garden at Newfields in Indianapolis.

·       Sabrena Schweyer and her husband, Samuel Salsbury, own and manage Salsbury-Schweyer Inc., a sustainable landscape design and development group based in Akron, Ohio. Read her latest article here: https://www.finegardening.com/article/replace-a-front-lawn-with-a-beautiful-eco-friendly-garden

Irvin Etienne’s Upgraded Classics

Classic: ‘Flamenco’ red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria ‘Flamenco’, Zones 5–9) Photo: David J. Stang, via Wikimedia Commons

Upgrade: ‘Mango Popsicle’ red-hot poker (Kniphofia ‘Mango Popsicle’, Zones 6–9) Photo: Irvin Etienne

Classic: ‘Fireball’ hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus ‘Fireball’, Zones 5–9) Photo: courtesy of David J. Stang, via Wikimedia Commons

Upgrade: ‘Holy Grail’ hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus ‘Holy Grail’, Zones 4–9)

Classic: ‘Storm Cloud’ lily of the Nile (Agapanthus ‘Storm Cloud’, Zones 7b–10) Photo: ©Armitage/Hip Labels, LLC

Upgrade: ‘Galaxy Blue’ lily of the Nile (Agapanthus ‘Galaxy Blue’, Zones 6–10) Photo: Irvin Etienne

Classic: ‘Black Knight’ butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii ‘Black Knight’, Zones 5–9)

Upgrade: ‘Grand Cascade’ butterfly bush (Buddleia ‘Grand Cascade’, Zones 5–10) Photo: Irvin Etienne

Classic: Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin, Zones 6–9) Photo: Simon Garbutt, via Wikimedia Commons

Upgrade: ‘Summer Chocolate’ mimosa (Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’, Zones 6–9)

Richard Hawke’s Favorite Vines (original episode #37)

'Guernsey Cream' clematis (Clematis 'Guernsey Cream', Zones 4-9)

Rüütel™ clematis (Clematis 'Kiviruut', Zones 4-9)

'Madame Julia Correvon' clematis (Clematis 'Madame Julia Correvon', Zones 4-9)

'Princess Diana' clematis (Clematis 'Princess Diana', Zones 4-8)

‘Prince Charles’ clematis (Clematis ‘Prince Charles’, Zones 4-8)

Variegated kiwi vine (Actinidia kolomikta, Zones 4-8)

Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris, Zones 4-8)

Japanese hydrangea vine (Schizophragma hydrangeoides, Zones 6-9)

Chinese Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus henryana, Zones 7-9) credit: Doreen Wynja

American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens, Zones 5-8)

Sabrena Schweyer’s Problem-Solving Perennials

Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica, Zones 3–8)

‘Eastern Star’ white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata ‘Eastern Star’, Zones 3–8)

Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana, Zones 3–9)

Short-toothed mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum, Zones 4–8)

Riz Reyes’ Favorite Container Plants (original episode # 86)

'Kiwi Fern' coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides ‘Kiwi Fern’, Zones 10-11)

Aeonium (Aeonium spp. and cvs., Zones 9-11)

Shearer's felt fern (Pyrrosia sheareri, Zones 7-10)

‘Dancing Queen’ hosta (Hosta 'Dancing Queen', Zones 3-8)