GardenDC Podcast Episode 256: Perennial Secrets with Matt Mattus

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with horticulturist Matt Mattus, all about perennials. The plant profile is on Hummingbird Mint 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 Carrot Tops by Christy Page of GreenPrints.

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

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 168: Favorite Fall Perennials

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/10/gardendc-podcast-episode-168-favorite.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 53: Superior Perennials

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/04/gardendc-podcast-episode-53-superior.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 254: The New American Gardener

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/08/gardendc-podcast-episode-254.html

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter/subscriber at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

Visit https://shop.kathyjentz.com/ to browse our new online store including many newly added perennials!

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4xeyGlzxBvjIsHGtl1LvjP?si=sr8wFx6NRpGZDv_eRP5uWw

Show Notes:

01:27 Introducing Matt Mattus 02:00 Matt’s been gardening since birth 04:43 Matt: “I consider myself a lazy gardener.” 05:28 Matt talks about flower shows and vegetable competitions in his youth 06:28 “Gardening became my sport.” 08:23 Matt talks about his career with Hasbro 10:41 Understanding the business side of gardening (and how toys are like plants) 13:00 Replacing the lawn with groundcovers 13:47 Do you think cold exposure might be killing plants? It could be something else 15:10 Discussing all things perennials 20:21 Propagating plants: Know your climate 24:54 Need something 2-3 feet tall and blooms around Mother’s Day? 26:34 Kathy and Matt share some secrets of perennial gardening 30:22 What’s inside American Horticultural Society’s Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening 35:10 Monitoring shade, moisture, and what plants fit in your garden 37:31 Emulating that tropical look 39:56 Low-maintenance perennials 43:21 Where did all the great primroses go? 45:11 Finding effective seed-starters 48:12 Four-legged friends 50:40 Advice for new gardeners. 54:10 Hummingbird Mint Plant Profile. 55:55 What’s new in the garden this week? 57:58 Local gardening events and workshops. 59:21 The Last Word by Christy Page: Carrot Top Tips 1:02:55 Support the Garden DC Podcast!

You can order a copy of the American Horticultural Society Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening at https://amzn.to/4pHytUb (note that this is an affiliate link).

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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.

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Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Interview Edit and Show Notes: Cavit Ireland

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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