GardenDC Podcast Episode 290: Louisiana Iris

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with plantsman Rich Crider of Three Shovels Farm all about Louisiana Iris. The plant profile is on Japanese Painted Fern 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 "Plant in June" 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 64: Daylilies - The Perfect Perennial?

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/06/gardendc-podcast-episode-64-daylilies.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 53: Superior Perennials

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

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 150: Sourcing Native Plants

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/05/gardendc-podcast-episode-150-sourcing.html

Show Notes will be posted after 6/21/2026.

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/20zfRrjCpA0UIHJEN2vRu7?si=h6IW9Y5TTySPUgcM9qFtkQ

 

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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.

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

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

Louisiana Iris at Three Shovels Farm.

Fenton Friday: Flower Friday

This week was there was rain and heat -- lots of heat.

The Blackberries are being raided by some creature(s) despite the fact that I draped some plastic mesh over the shrub along with a few rubber snakes. The fruits are pretty much all stripped off -- I've only gotten a couple this week.

The Okra 'Puerto Rico Everblush' seedlings are up (see picture above) - so are the seedlings of the 'Thriller' Squash I planted this week in a hill next to them. I'm hoping that the Okra will get tall fast and the Squash can then sprawl out around the base of them. 

One of the returning Dahlia plants is already blooming (see picture at right) and the others are setting bids.

We still need to get the Pole Beans in as well as some Cucumbers or Zucchini. I may pull the Garlic soon to make room for those. I think after all these good rains will be a good time to do so.

In the pollinator strip, the Nasturtium seeds are being slow to germinate, but the Zinnia seeds are all up. I also promised to share a picture and identify the blue-blooming plants that came from a Wildflower Mix we started in the spring. Pictured at right here is part of the mix including Borage, Blue Flax, and the tall "airy" looking one is Phacelia --which I have never grown before. 

Next week, I plan to finally get the Lisianthus seedlings in the cutting garden and to add some rows of Cosmos seeds.

What are you growing and harvesting in your garden this week?

About Fenton Friday: Every Friday during the growing season, I'll be giving you an update on my community garden plot at the Fenton Street Community Garden just across the street from my house in zone 7 Mid-Atlantic MD/DC border. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 15th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton"  into the Search box above (at the top, left on this blog).

Larkspur Plant Profile

Larkspur Plant Profile

Larkspur (Consolida ajacis) is an annual flower with tall bloom spikes in late spring and early summer. The flowers are typically blue, purple, pink, or white.

It is native to the Mediterranean region and can be grown in zones 2 to 11 as an early season annual.

It grows best in full sun in well-draining soils.

You can direct sow it in early spring or in late fall in zones 6 to 8 for blooming the next spring. You can also starts seeds indoors in late winter under grow lights. Larkspur seeds need cool temperatures (below 55 degrees) in order to germinate.

It prefers cool weather and does not tolerate heat. Young larkspur plants tolerate frost well. 

Because Larkspur can grow to 3 to 4 feet tall, you may need to stake it especially in locations with strong winds.

Larkspur is a terrific cut flower.  Cut the stalks when the bottom two to four flowers have opened. The flowers will continue to open in the vase. You can also let them dry on the plant for dried flower arrangements.

After flowering, you can collect seedpods for planting next year or let them go to seed to self-sow themselves.

Larkspur is deer-resistant as it contains toxic alkaloids. It is visited by various pollinators including bumblebees and butterflies.

Larkspur: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Koree Perry.

 

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

~ Gentian Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/10/gentian-plant-profile.html

~ Spiderwort Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2026/03/spiderwort-plant-profile.html

~  Blue-eyed Grass Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2026/06/blue-eyed-grass-plant-profile.html

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

June 2026 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine: Stewartia, Baltimore Orioles, Hot Peppers, and much more…

The June 2026 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is out.

It is posted and archived online at: 

https://issuu.com/washingtongardener/docs/washington_gardener_magazine_june_2026

Inside this issue:

·         Summer Dogwood - Stewartia

·         Joe Bozik’s Gardening Passion

·         Meet the Chesapeake Cactus and Succulent Society

·         Top Tips for Growing Hot Peppers

·         A Flavorful Herb Garden in Containers

·         Manage Pests Rather than Rely on Internet Myths

·         Garden Book Reviews

·         Hanging with the Baltimore Orioles

·         Taking Care of Your Yard During a Heat Wave

·         The Elusive Azalea Plant Bug

·         Perennial Picks for Supporting Bees

·         and much more…

Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the July 2026 issue are due by June 15.

>>  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

Monday Thought: “It was June, and the world smelled like roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold all over the grassy hillside.” ~ Maud Hart Lovelace

“It was June, and the world smelled like roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold all over the grassy hillside.” ~ Maud Hart Lovelace

GardenDC Podcast Episode 289: Landscape Design Combinations

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with garden designer and blogger Lee Miller, about landscape design combinations*. The plant profile is on Japanese Snowbell Tree 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 "Peas Don't Like me" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

***Please Vote for our show the GardenDC Podcast at

https://bestof2026.washingtoncitypaper.com/ under Arts & Entertainment > Best Local Podcaster

The deadline to vote is June 10, 2026. Thank you in advance! ***

*You can order Lee Miller's book Landscape Design Combinations at https://amzn.to/4vALSzC
This link is to our Amazon affiliate account and we may earn a few pennies from these sales, but it wil not impact your purchase price.

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 135: Plants for Shade

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/01/gardendc-podcast-episode-135-plants-for.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 111: Flower Combinations

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/07/gardendc-podcast-episode-111-flower.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 102: Annual Combinations

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/04/gardendc-podcast-episode-102-annual.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 72: Low-Maintenance Gardening

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/08/gardendc-podcast-episode-72-low.html

Show Notes will be posted after 6/15/2026.

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/75PLiYQxGF2tumQ8ufeLnB?si=UImjbc-lTHSZiq30CFnrQg

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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.

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

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

*You can order Lee Miller's book Landscape Design Combinations at https://amzn.to/4vALSzC
This link is to our Amazon affiliate account and we may earn a few pennies from these sales, but it wil not impact your purchase price.