Saturday, February 07, 2026

GardenDC Podcast Episode 272: Goldenrod for the Mid-Atlantic

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Sam Hoadley, Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center, all about Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) for the Mid-Atlantic Region. The plant profile is on Skunk Cabbage and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on "The Sweetest Winter Squash" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! 

See how at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

You can find Mt. Cuba Center's Solidago Report here.

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 227: Ironweed

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/02/gardendc-podcast-episode-227-ironweed.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 182: Amsonia

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/02/gardendc-podcast-episode-182-amsonia.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 134: Carex

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/01/gardendc-podcast-episode-134-carex-for.html

Show Notes will be posted after 2/14/2026.

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1khfwjPdkHnAyPaJNKkBp0?si=cV8NNc0HS6SXrZ26rbZcdQ

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz
Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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Thursday, February 05, 2026

February 2026 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine: Calendula, Warblers, Azaleas, and much more…

 

The February 2026 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is now out.


Inside this issue:

·         Cool-Season Calendula

·         Preventing Rabbit Damage

·         Jumping Worms Revisited

·         Attracting Winter Warblers

·         The Inside Scoop on Seed Buying

·         Year of the Azalea

·         Garden Book Reviews and Reader Contest

·         What the Interns Grew Last Fall

·         Meet an Azalea-Loving Volunteer

·         A New Hydrangea

·         Hosta ventricosa: The Self-Seeder

·         Flowering Bulbs for Your Valentine

·         Boxwood Blight or Burn? Know the Signs

·         and much more…

 

Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the March 2026 issue are due by February 10.

 

>>  Subscribe to Washington Gardener Magazine today to have the monthly publication sent to your inbox as a PDF several days before it is available online. You can use the PayPal (credit card) online order form here: https://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/subscribe.htm

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Wednesday, February 04, 2026

Leopard Plant (Ligularia) Plant Profile

Leopard Plant (Ligularia) Plant Profile

Leopard Plant (Ligularia species) is a perennial plant. The foliage is a glossy dark-green with a purple underside. The dramatic leaves are large and round or heart shaped.  It is also known commonly as tractor seat plant or ragwort. 

The daisy-like, bright-yellow or orange flower are held on tall stalks that bloom in early- to mid-summer.

It is native to Asia and is hardy to USDA zones 4 to 8.

It can reach 5 feet high and 4 feet wide.

Ligularia is closely related to Seneceo and Farfugium.

Hummingbirds love it as well as various kinds of bees and butterflies.

 Leopard plant is deer-resistant, but the foliage can be damaged by slugs and snails. 

It grows best in rich, damp, and humusy soils in part shade to full shade. Plant it in a location sheltered from winds and out of the hot afternoon sun.

Ligularia will wilt during the summer heat, but quickly recovers after a deep watering.

To propagate Ligularia, divide it in the early spring.

Popular cultivars include: 'King Kong', ‘The Rocket’ and ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’.

Leopard Plant: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video. Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Aicha Bangoura

 

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

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~ Podcast: GardenDC

 

If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Fatsia Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/12/paper-plant-fastia-plant-profile.html

~ Paperbush (Edgeworthia) Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/02/paperbush-edgworthia-chrysantha-plant.html

~ Castor Bean Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/09/plant-profile-castor-bean-plant.html

~ Abutilon Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/02/abutilon-plant-profile.html


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Monday, February 02, 2026

Monday Thoughts: "...there has been no greater love in my life than flowers and gardens. And specifically, their ability to impart eloquent tidings to us, and to heal and nurture us in so many ways." ~ Teresa H. Sabankaya

"...there has been no greater love in my life than flowers and gardens. And specifically, their ability to impart eloquent tidings to us, and to heal and nurture us in so many ways." 

~ Teresa H. Sabankaya

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Sunday, February 01, 2026

Meet the New Spring 2026 Interns


This winter/spring session, I have taken on two editorial interns. Look for their author byline in upcoming Washington Gardener Magazine issues and on this blog -- as well as on the Washington Gardener YouTube videos and GardenDC Podcast. As a first assignment, I've asked them to write a short introduction to our readers so you can get to know them.

My name is Aicha Bangoura (pictured at right) and I'm currently a senior studying journalism in
Philip Merrill College at the University of Maryland. After freelancing diverse stories for several
publications, including the Montgomery County Sentinel, I finally landed a role as a copyeditor for
a student-run digital publication called Stories Beneath the Shell, which I still work for. With my
experience, I plan to show and tell stories about the beauty of the ecosystem and the people
who contribute to it. In my earlier school days, I took classes that involved planting and I
enjoyed the process and anticipation. I’m ready to start a brand new journey as an intern at the
Washington Gardener Magazine.

Hi! My name is Lauren Bentley (pictured at left) and I am currently a senior studying at the University of Maryland. I am a double major in journalism and criminology and criminal justice. I've written all throughout high school and college. Most recently, I worked at the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, part of the university's Capital News Network. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, baking, and hanging out with my friends. I am so excited to be working for the Washington Gardener this upcoming spring, and hope to expand my knowledge and skill-level in gardening. 

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Saturday, January 31, 2026

GardenDC Podcast Episode 271: Camouflaging with Plants --Hiding the Ugly Stuff

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Peggy Singlemann, host of Virginia Home Grown, all about using plants and other solutions to hide ugly landscape features. The plant profile is on Star Anise (Illicium) and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on "Being a Serial Seedling Killer" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! 

See how at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 228: Reducing Runoff with Rain Gardens

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/02/gardendc-podcast-episode-228-reducing.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 235: Spring Pruning Tips

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/04/gardendc-podcast-episode-235-spring.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 12: Shrubs & Hedges

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/05/gardendc-podcast-episode-12-eva-monheim.html


Show Notes wil be posted after 2/7/2026.

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6hNAWcaijmJyZChznJip3a?si=LFm3fAPyTTKBTunv8d23LQ

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz
Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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Monday, January 26, 2026

Monday Thoughts: "Winter forms our character and brings out our best." ~ Tom Allen


"Winter forms our character and brings out our best." 

~ Tom Allen

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Saturday, January 24, 2026

GardenDC Podcast Episode 270: Creating a Biblical Garden

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with author Shelley S. Cramm about creating a Bible-inspired garden. The plant profile is on Ligularia and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on "Fresh Beginnings" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! 

See how at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 137: Into the Heart of the Garden

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/02/gardendc-podcast-episode-137-into-heart.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 127: Unusual and Specialty Flower Bulbs

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/11/gardendc-podcast-episode-127-unusual.html


Shelley's book, My Father is the Gardener, is available at https://amzn.to/3ZhGwex (note this is an affiliate link and we may earn a few pennies when you click on it.)


Show Notes wil be posted after 1/31/2026.

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2lxQQkdrBUdOz9Pg21S8Un?si=sZPDcDk_R5CdWvtHAjmLTw

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz
Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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