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Stories from the Garden: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Dr. Allan Armitage
Gardening is not brain surgery or rocket science. There is so much more to our gardens than compost and digging holes. The plants we garden with are story machines, each begging to be heard. Each week, sit back and listen to award-winning author and internationally acclaimed horticulturist Dr Allan Armitage as he talks about the “rest of the story.” For example, was there really someone called Joe Pye, and how did the poppy become the flower of remembrance? Find a little time in your day for some storytelling to fire up your curiosity and learn something interesting to share with others.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 6 days ago11 min
Dr. A's Top Picks for the Garden: Muhly Grass
Dr. Allan Armitage is back in the garden to spotlight Muhlygrass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)—a spectacular ornamental grass that puts on an unforgettable show in late summer and fall.Think clouds of pink, movement in the breeze, and a garden that really comes alive in September. Why consider Muhlygrass?Stunning pink bloomsIncredible late-summer and fall interestDeer- and rabbit-resistantLow-maintenance once establishedBest suited to warmer climatesLooks especially impressive planted in groups of six or moreAnd if pink isn't your thing, check out 'White Cloud' for a beautiful white-flowering alternative. As Dr. A says, “This thing just stops traffic.”
- 1 weeks ago4 min
Dr.A's Top Picks for the Garden: Strawflower
Discover the Resilient Beauty of Granvia Strawflowers! Looking for a garden plant that brings bold color, unique texture, and serious resilience? Meet Granvia straw flowers!In this episode, Dr. Allan Armitage shares why straw flowers remain a timeless garden favorite—and what makes Granvia stand out. With large, vibrant blooms and impressive tolerance to heat and humidity, Granvia is a great choice for gardeners looking for beauty without a lot of fuss. Why add Granvia to your garden?Large, eye-catching flowersExcellent heat and humidity toleranceGreat for containersA beautiful choice for spring and fall gardensAdds color when other plants may be strugglingAs summer winds down and fall approaches, it’s a perfect time to give Granvia a try!
- 4 weeks ago6 min
Stories from the Garden: Culver's Root
What Is a Culver? The Story Behind Culver’s RootDr. Allan Armitage shares the story behind the common name of Culver’s root, a native plant with a surprisingly rich medicinal history. This short episode explains how plant names often carry human stories, and why Veronicastrum virginicum ended up being associated with Dr. Culver rather than its appearance or habitat.
- Aug 28, 20267 min
Stories from the Garden: Pokeweed
Dr. Allan Armitage shares the story of pokeweed, a fast-growing plant with striking red stems and berries, a complicated place in Southern food history, and a reputation for being both beautiful and dangerous. He also connects the plant to folk knowledge, political misunderstanding, and the song “Poke Salad Annie.”
- Aug 21, 20264 min
Dr. A's Top Picks for the Garden: Pot Mums
Fall chrysanthemums get dismissed as “throwaway” plants, but Dr. Allan Armitage makes the case that pot mums are one of the easiest ways to get instant color on your deck, porch, or front door.If you want a plant that looks great fast, comes in a huge range of colors and container sizes, and basically performs the second you bring it home, this short episode is for you. Dr. A shares why he still buys pot mums, how he uses them in containers, and what to expect if you decide to keep them around after the season.Perfect for gardeners looking for fast fall container color, low-maintenance seasonal plants, or a straightforward answer to the question of what actually looks good right now. If you’ve ever walked past a rack of mums and wondered whether they’re worth it, this episode gives you the honest answer.
- Jul 24, 202611 min
Dr. A's Top Picks for the Garden: Butterfly Bush
Join Dr. Allan Armitage as he explores his favorite plant, the butterfly bush, highlighting its varieties, growth habits, care tips, and the impact on pollinators. Perfect for gardeners looking for an easy-to-grow, attractive plant for any landscape.Why butterfly bush is a gardener's favoriteVarieties of butterfly bush: Cascade series, Pugster series, and dwarfer Buzz seriesGrowing tips: pruning, hardiness zones, sunlight, and size managementBenefits for pollinators, especially butterfliesCultural and landscape considerations for inclusion in gardensDr. Armitage shares his personal experiences and reasons for favoring butterfly bushExplanation of different species and cultivars, including Budlia dividiae and the Cascade and Pugster seriesTips on pruning for size control and flowering timesHardiness zone recommendations (zones 5 to 8)The plant’s adaptability to sun and shade and its pollinator-friendly qualities
- Jul 17, 202612 min
My Favorite Things
Unlock a world of beauty, history, and inspiration with Dr. A’s favorite picks this month. From the delicate blooms of the annual Delphinium to a hidden gem like Edinburgh’s Botanical Gardens—discover how self-seeding plants can transform your garden into a cottage paradise. Plus, step into the fascinating story of Bella Costa Green, a Black librarian in the 1920s who defied societal limits to curate JP Morgan’s legendary collection—an inspiring tale of resilience and secrecy that redefines legacy.Perfect for gardening enthusiasts, history buffs, travel lovers, or anyone craving stories that inspire and entertain. If you’re seeking practical tips, captivating tales, and a fresh perspective on meaningful places and people, this episode is your monthly dose of wonder. Don’t miss out—tap play now and start exploring the best of the world with Dr. A!Read more here: https://www.allanarmitage.net/musings/2023/maySign up for my newsletter and never miss my monthly My Favorite Things newsletter, plus all the updates on books, events and more.
- Jul 3, 20266 min
Dr.A's Top Picks from the Garden: Amsonia
In this episode, Dr. Allan Armitage shares one of his favorite native perennials—the beautiful and dependable Blue Star Flower (Amsonia). While its soft blue spring blooms are charming, the real magic of these plants comes from their graceful foliage and, for some varieties, spectacular fall color.Dr. A compares two outstanding species that deserve a place in more gardens:Arkansas Blue Star (Amsonia hubrichtii) – prized for its delicate, thread-like foliage and breathtaking golden fall color, especially in cooler climates.Eastern Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana) – featuring larger leaves, richer blue flowers, and excellent garden performance across a wide range of growing conditions.Along the way, you'll learn:Why Amsonia is one of the easiest native perennials to growThe differences between these two popular speciesWhich variety performs best in northern versus southern gardensWhy fall color can vary depending on your climateHow these long-lived plants bring beauty to gardens throughout multiple seasonsWhether you're looking for reliable spring flowers, outstanding fall foliage, or simply a tough, beautiful native perennial, Blue Star deserves a closer look.Mentioned in this episode:Arkansas Blue Star (Amsonia hubrichtii)Eastern Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)Native perennialsFall color in the perennial gardenThanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow gardener. For more gardening resources and Dr. Allan Armitage's books, visit alanarmitage.com.See you in the garden!
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About Stories from the Garden
Gardening is not brain surgery or rocket science. There is so much more to our gardens than compost and digging holes. The plants we garden with are story machines, each begging to be heard. Each week, sit back and listen to award-winning author and internationally acclaimed horticulturist Dr Allan Armitage as he talks about the “rest of the story.” For example, was there really someone called Joe Pye, and how did the poppy become the flower of remembrance? Find a little time in your day for some storytelling to fire up your curiosity and learn something interesting to share with others.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Stories from the Garden as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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