Shrubby Buddies

Who says gardens have to be all sunshine, rainbows, and pretty pink petunias? This Halloween, the Shrubby Buddies are embracing their dark side and digging into the wickedly wonderful world of Goth Gardens!

We're talking moody foliage, hauntingly beautiful blooms, twisted branches, and plants so dark they look like they've got a little attitude. From nearly black perennials to eerie garden accents, we'll explore how to create a landscape that's equal parts spooky, sophisticated, and downright badass.

Whether you're looking to summon some serious curb appeal or just want your neighbors to question your gardening choices, we've got the plants and inspiration to help you bring your dark garden dreams to life.

So grab your broomsticks, sharpen your pruners, and join us for a frightfully fun episode. Because sometimes, the best gardens have a little resting witch face.

We’re heading up north! In this episode, we chat about our trip to Michigan, from wandering through botanical gardens and old-growth forests to botanizing at nature preserves. Join us for a laid-back recap of the places we explored, the plants that caught our eye, and the joy of slowing down to see what’s growing around us.

We’re stepping up to the plate with a lineup rooted in America’s pastime! In “Batters Up! Layin’ the Wood with Our Baseball Tree Lineup,” we reveal our starting lineup of trees—and make the case for why they’ve got what it takes to bring home a championship. Join us as we talk baseball and, of course, trees!

This week, we’re all about berries—specifically, the ornamental kind that light up the fall landscape.

From bright reds and oranges to purples, blues, and everything in between, we’re talking about plants that bring serious color after the flowers are finished for the year. We’ll cover some of our favorite shrubs and trees for fall berries, what makes them stand out, and how they can add another whole layer of interest to the landscape.

Some are beautiful, some are bizarre, and some are basically nature showing off.

If your fall landscape could use a little more fruit, color, and attitude, this episode is for you.

You asked. Then someone else asked. Then twelve more people asked. This week, we’re answering the short questions we get all the time in one handy episode. The recurring questions, the quick clarifications, and the things you’ve apparently been wondering about while we were busy talking about something else.

We’re covering a little bit of everything, with a few detours and probably more backstory than anyone requested. Come for the quick answers, stay for our inability to keep them quick.

Summer separates the dawgs from the dogs. In this episode, we’re celebrating the plants absolutely crushing it—and calling out the crispy, floppy botanical disasters that have seen much better days. Who’s serving, who’s suffering, and who needs to be put out of their misery? Welcome to the slay and decay of summer.

This week, we’re taking a deep dive into the genus Amsonia—the blue stars of the perennial world. From their soft blue spring flowers to their fine-textured foliage and standout golden fall color, these plants bring a lot more to the garden than most people realize.

We’ll break down some of the best species and cultivars, talk about where they grow best, how they perform in the landscape, what makes them such dependable garden plants, and how to use them alongside other perennials and grasses. We’ll also get into the differences between some of the more commonly grown Amsonias and share a few of our favorites.

If you’ve ever grown Amsonia—or wondered why you should—this one’s for you.

Rain gardens are more than just a pretty place to put plants that like getting their feet wet. In this episode, we're diving into the dirty details of what makes a rain garden actually work. In this episode we talk about to turn these unique areas into beautiful, functional landscapes.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Shrubby Buddies without talking plants. We’ll get into choosing the right plants for the wet, the dry, and everything in between—and why a rain garden definitely isn’t just a hole filled with water-loving plants.

So grab your shovel, embrace the moisture, and join us as we get wet, get dirty, and figure out how to make rain gardens work harder in the landscape.

https://mtcubacenter.org/trials/baptisia/

https://mtcubacenter.org/trials/echinacea-mid-atlantic-region/

Tim went north! This week, we’re recapping Tim’s trip to Michigan for the Perennial Plant Association Symposium, where he spent a few days surrounded by incredible plants, gardens, and some of the best plant people in the business. Tim shares the highlights, favorite stops, standout plants, and a few stories from his PPA adventure.

Then we’re joined by Sam the Man for a special interview! We talk plants, horticulture, and Sam’s journey through the green industry—with plenty of laughs, plant-nerd tangents, and classic Shrubby Buddies banter along the way.

From Michigan plant adventures to hanging with Sam the Man, this episode has a little bit of everything. Grab a drink, get comfortable, and come get shrubby with us!

The dice are back, the plant knowledge is questionable, and once again, absolutely nothing is planned.

In Part 2 of our plant-name showdown, we’re rolling the Scattergories die and letting the letters decide where the conversation goes. Whatever letter comes up, we rapid-fire plants that start with it—along with random facts, strong opinions, questionable memories, unexpected tangents, and plenty of Shrubby Buddies banter.

No notes. No preparation. Just roll the dice and see what grows.

How many plants can we actually name before our brains completely shut down? Tune in and find out!

Not every plant deserves a spot in your landscape. In this episode, we're swiping left on some of the most overused, overrated, invasive, and downright disappointing plants we see every day. We'll explain why these garden staples no longer make the cut, what problems they create, and—more importantly—the beautiful, tougher, and more ecologically valuable plants we'd choose instead. If you're planning a new landscape or just looking to upgrade an old one, this episode will help you make smarter plant choices without sacrificing style.

Some plants are more than just plants—they're memories rooted in the landscape of our lives.

In this episode of Shrubby Buddies, we're taking a walk down memory lane as we share the plants that instantly transport us back to a specific place, person, or moment in time. Maybe it's the lilacs that remind you of your grandparents' yard, the peonies that bloomed outside your childhood home, or the towering oaks that framed your favorite fishing spot. Every gardener has a few plants that tell a story.

Join Matt and Tim as they swap personal memories, talk about the powerful connection between plants and place, and celebrate the landscapes that shaped who they are as horticulturists. Along the way, you'll probably find yourself thinking about the plants that bring back your own favorite memories.

Grab your favorite beverage, settle into the shade, and come reminisce with us—because sometimes the best gardens are the ones we carry with us.

Chartreuse perennials have a way of stealing the show—even when they're not in bloom.

In this episode of the Shrubby Buddies Podcast, Matt and Tim dive into the world of chartreuse foliage perennials and explore why these bright, glowing plants deserve a spot in every garden. From sun-loving standouts to shade garden superstars, we'll discuss our favorite chartreuse perennials.

So whether you're looking to brighten a dark corner, create contrast in a mixed border, or simply add some year-long interest, chartreuse foliage may be the secret ingredient your garden has been missing.

Tune in as we put these glowing garden gems in the Lime Light and celebrate the color that makes gardens glow.

Sometimes the best horticulture conversations start with, “Hey, have you seen this plant?”

In this episode, Matt and Tim toss the outline aside and dive into whatever green goodness has been capturing their attention lately. From standout perennials and underused landscape plants to new discoveries, old favorites, and plants they can't wait to get in the ground, this is a collection of horticultural observations, recommendations, and random plant nerd discussions.

Whether it's a cool specimen we recently stumbled across, a perennial that's earning a spot on our favorites list, or a perennial we'd plant tomorrow if given the chance, we're sharing what's currently inspiring us in the world of horticulture.

No agenda. No specific theme. Just two nerds talking about plants they love.

Have you ever looked at a perfectly healthy perennial and thought, "You know what this plant needs? A haircut!" Well, you're not alone—and you're not crazy. In this episode of the Shrubby Buddies Podcast, Matt and Tim dive into the world of the Chelsea Chop, one of the most useful (and nerve-wracking) pruning techniques in the gardener's toolbox.

Learn why cutting back your plants in late spring can lead to stronger stems, more compact growth, fewer flops, and blooms that last longer into the season. We'll cover which plants respond best to the Chelsea Chop, when to do it, how much to remove, and why a little tough love can pay off in a big way.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or someone who breaks into a cold sweat every time you pick up a pair of pruners, this episode will help you chop with confidence.

So grab your shears, take a deep breath, and remember: sometimes the best way to help a plant grow is to cut it back.

Annual flowers are the rockstars of the gardening world — bringing instant color, bold textures, wild foliage, and nonstop blooms from spring until frost. This week the buddies dive headfirst into the wonderful world of annuals and break down how to actually use them successfully in the landscape, containers, hanging baskets, and beyond.

We talk sun lovers, shade warriors, drought-tolerant champs, and thirsty drama queens while exploring why matching the right plant to the right location matters more than anything. From massive tropical foliage and fine textured fillers to vibrant flower colors that absolutely scream across the landscape, we cover how to combine annuals for maximum visual impact all season long.

Whether you’re looking to build eye-popping containers, soften hardscapes, attract pollinators, or just flex on your neighbors with ridiculous curb appeal, this episode is packed with practical tips, design inspiration, and plenty of plant nerd nonsense along the way.

So grab your flats, charge up the hose wand, and join us in Studio 6b as we celebrate the annual flowers that make summer landscapes absolutely explode with color. Love y’all harder, plus 2!!!

This week on the Shrubby Buddies Podcast, we’re getting a few horticultural pet peeves off our chests. From phrases we can’t stand hearing to common plant nonsense that just won’t die, we break down why some of these sayings miss the mark — and offer a better way to look at the bigger picture. Consider this your friendly intervention from two plant nerds from Zone 6b.

Cultivating a perennial border is a lot like building a football team — you need the right pieces, the right roles, and a lineup that actually works together. In the wake of the recent NFL Draft, join the Buddies as they build their dream perennial border by drafting top-tier plant prospects based on bold traits, dynamic attributes, and serious garden performance. From powerhouse bloomers to defensive groundcovers, this draft class is stacked.

From natives to hybrids—and even a shrub—let’s dive into the wild world of the Aesculus genus. Buckeyes are some of our personal favorites, and we’re hoping to make you bonkers for conkers too. Aesculus glabra, bro.

This week, we’re talking all things trees—the good, the bad, and the “why would you ever do that?”

We’re diving into what you should be doing to keep your trees alive, thriving, and not silently judging you… and what you absolutely should NOT be doing (looking at you, mulch volcano people 👀).

From planting way too deep, or pruning at the worst possible time, we’ve seen it all. And yeah… we’re calling it out.

If you’ve ever said “it just died for no reason,” this episode might feel a little personal. But don’t worry—we’ll also give you the fixes so your trees can actually survive and maybe even thrive for once.

So grab a drink, step into the garden, and let’s clean up some tree care crimes—because your trees deserve better… and honestly, they’re tired of your nonsense.