GardenDC Podcast Episode 299: A Year of Pollinator Plants

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Helen Yoest, author of Cultivating Native Plants for Pollinators*, all about pollinator gardening throughout the year. The plant profile is on Queen Lily Ginger 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 "Truth in Gardening" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

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

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 141: Nature's Best Hope

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/03/gardendc-podcast-episode-141-natures.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 156: Gardening for Wild Bees

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/07/gardendc-podcast-episode-156-gardening.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 207: Garden Planning and Design

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/08/gardendc-podcast-episode-207-garden.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 47: Pollinator Victory Gardens

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/02/gardendc-podcast-episode-47-pollinator.html

Show Notes will be posted after 8/31/2026.

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0b5RUnuKugWtn4TyrxeWkB?si=iSneOYXBQaWZjSXJnl1iug

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Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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*You can order Helen's book at https://amzn.to/4xFTstB

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.

Virginia Sweetspire Plant Profile

 

Virginia Sweetspire Plant Profile

Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) is a deciduous shrub that is native to the Eastern United States. It is also known as Virginia Willow.

It grows into a small mound that is 2 to 5 feet tall and wide. It is hardy to USDA Zones 5 to 9.

In the spring, it produces cascading branches of fragrant white flowers that attract butterflies and bees.

In the fall, the leaves turn to beautiful shades of red and orange. The seeds are eaten by songbirds.

It prefers to grow in part to full sun in moist but well-draining acidic soils.

It can spread into a dense thicket via root suckers. You can propagate it by seed, taking cuttings in the spring, and root division.

Virginia Sweetspire is deer-resistant and can tolerate occasional flooding.

Selected cultivars include ‘Henry’s Garnet’, ‘Little Henry’, and  ‘Fizzy Mizzy’.

Virginia Sweetspire: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Koree Perry

 

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

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

~ Northern Spicebush Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/04/northern-spicebush-plant-profile.html

~ Smooth Hydrangea Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/07/plant-profile-smooth-hydrangea.html

~ Japanese Andromeda Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/04/pieris-japonica-plant-profile.html

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Blue-Eyed Grass Plant Profile

Blue-Eyed Grass Plant Profile

Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) is a clump-forming perennial plant with tiny violet-blue flowers. These flowers close up late in the day and open again in the morning, It is actually not a grass, despites its name and grass-like looks but is instead in the Iris family.

It is native to eastern North America and is hardy to USDA Zones 4 to 9. It grows from 8 to 12 inches tall.

It flowers in late spring and does best in full to part sun. It prefers moist or wet soils and will die if it is allowed to get too dry. Avoid applying mulch around it as that can cause crown rot.

Blue-Eyed Grass is often used as a groundcover, edging plant, or in cottage gardens. Pollinators are attracted to the flowers’ nectar and pollen. It is considered to be rabbit- and deer-resistant.

You can propagate it by digging and dividing it in the springtime. It can also self-sow if you let it. Deadhead the flowers as they finish blooming, if you do not want it to produce seeds.

Blue-Eyed Grass: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Videos Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Koree Perry

 

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

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~ Podcast: GardenDC

 

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

~ Little Bluestem Grass: 

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/08/little-bluestem-grass-plant-profile.html

~ Mexican Feather Grass:

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/10/plant-profile-mexican-feather-grass.html

~ Hakone Grass: 

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2019/10/plant-profile-hakone-grass.html

 

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Bloodroot Plant Profile

Bloodroot Plant Profile

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a perennial plant that is native to the eastern half of North America.It is also known as Redroot, Bloodwort, Canada Puccoon, Red Puccoon, Black Paste, and Indian Paint. The common names derive from the fact that Native Americans used the red juice from the roots and stems of the plant as a dye and insect repellent.

It has a short-lived, white flowers in early spring and the foliage is lobed and stays in a short mound.

It is hardy to USDA zones 3 to 8. It is a member of the Poppy family.

Bloodroot prefers to grow in part- to full-shade in well-drained, humus-rich soils.

The seeds of the plant are dispersed by ants. The plant can also spread and form a nice groundcover under trees.

This woodland plant is a spring ephemeral – meaning that it will go dormant and disappear by mid-summer, similar to cyclamen. It is best to move or divide it just before its summer dormancy.

Bloodroot is pollinated by native bees.

It is deer-resistant due to toxic alkaloids in the leaves and roots.

Bloodroot: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Additional Video and Editing by Aicha Bangoura

Supplemental photos from Wiki Commons

 

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

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~ Podcast: GardenDC

 

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

~ Trout Lily Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/04/trout-lily-plant-profile.html

~ Virginia Bluebells Plant Profile

 https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2018/04/plant-profile-virginia-bluebells.html

~ Spring Beauty Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/04/plant-profile-spring-beauty-claytonia.html

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Barren Strawberry Plant Profile

Barren Strawberry Plant Profile

Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides formerly known as Geum fragarioides and  Dalibarda fragarioides) is a perennial that is native to the Eastern United States. It is also known as the Appalachian barren strawberry. It is a member of the Rose family. It is related to the nonnative Siberian barren strawberry (Waldsteinia ternata).

It has pretty yellow flowers that bloom in spring. The inedible fruits develop shortly afterward – hence its common name of “barren” strawberry.

Barren Strawberry prefers to grow in part- to full-sun. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions.

Barren Strawberry is hardy to USDA Zones 3 to 7. It is found naturally in forests and along stream banks.

It spreads by underground rhizomes into a dense, low mat and it can be used as a groundcover. Unlike many other natives, it is evergreen. The foliage turns a pretty bronze in winter.

It is pollinated by a variety of small bees and it is deer-resistant.

Barren Strawberry can be grown from seed, but it is much easier to propagate it by division.

Barren Strawberry: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Aicha Bangoura

Additional images from Wikimedia Commons.

 

➤ 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

➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

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~ Podcast: GardenDC

 

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

~ Sundrop Plant Profile

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

~ Amur Adonis  Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/03/amur-adonis-plant-profile.html

~ Winter Aconite Plant Profile  

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/02/winter-aconite-plant-profile.html

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Sundrops Plant Profile

Sundrops Plant Profile

Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa) are a perennial plant. They are also known as the Narrow-leaf Evening Primrose and are a day-flowering cousin of the Common Evening-Primrose (Oenothera biennis L.)

Sundrops flowers are yellow cups of golden sunshine that bloom from late spring into summer.

They are native to the Eastern half of North America and were named a North Carolina Wildflower of the Year.

They are hardy to USDA zones 4 to 8.

They grow up to 1 to 2 feet tall. They do best in part- to full-sun conditions. Sundrops do well in poor soils and they need no fertilizing.

Sundrops attract pollinators and can be visited by hummingbirds.

They are easy to propagate from division. They can also spread prolifically by seed, so deadhead the flowers after they finish blooming for the season if you want to prevent that.

Sundrops are fairly drought-tolerant once established and are said to be deer-resistant.

Sundrops: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, 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

➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

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~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener

~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC

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

~ Shasta Daisy Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/08/shasta-daisy-plant-profile.html

~ Golden Ragwort Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/05/golden-ragwort-plant-profile.html

~ Lyreleaf Sage Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/04/lyreleaf-sage-plant-profile.html

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Spiderwort Plant Profile

Spiderwort Plant Profile

Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginia) is a perennial plant with blue-purple flowers on grass-like stalks. It is native to the Eastern United States into Canada. Some rare varieties bloom with pink, white, or red flowers.

The flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon or evening. The bloom period is from spring to early summer. You can cut back the plant after the first flush of flowers are done to get it to rebloom in late summer and early fall.

It does well in full sun to part shade in moist but well-draining soils. It is hardy to USDA zones 4 to 9.

Spiderwort grows to about 18 inches tall.

Spiderwort attracts pollinators such as long-tongue bees.

The plant is said to edible but can cause allergic reactions in pets and humans. It was used in indigenous medicine for insect bites – which is where its common name stems from.

Another common name is Inkweed due to the Spiderwort flowers containing a strong pigment that can be used as a dye. They can also stain your skin and clothing.

It reseeds around a bit and can be dug and moved to a better location, if desired.

Spiderwort: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Videos, 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

➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com

~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener

~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC

 

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

~ Cup Plant Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/08/plant-profile-cup-plant.html

~ Sunflower Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2019/07/plant-profile-sunflowers.html

~ Daylily Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2019/07/video-plant-profile-daylily.html

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Skunk Cabbage Plant Profile

Skunk Cabbage Plant Profile

Eastern Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is a herbaceous perennial plant. It is also known as swamp cabbage, clumpfoot cabbage, meadow cabbage, foetid pothos, West Virginia Hosta, or polecat weed). It has huge leaves, that when bruised smell like – well – skunk or some say overcooked cabbage, mustard, or garlic.

The purplish flower, which is called a spathe, looks a lot like its smaller cousin -- the Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum). It attract flies, gnats, and beetles for pollination. 

It is native to the eastern half of the United States and is hardy to USDA zones 4 to 7 . There is also Western Skunk Cabbage and an Asian cousin.

The plant emerges from the ground in late winter to early spring. Amazingly, it generates enough heat to melt the snow around it as it emerges.

Eastern Skunk Cabbage is typically found in very wet soil such as stream valleys, bogs, and marshes, and that is the best place to plant it in your garden. Note that it does go dormant around early summer if it is planted in drier soils, but in wetter locations, it persists into autumn.

It prefers to grow in part- to full-shade.

It can reach 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide during years of heavy rainfall. Once established, they are very difficult to transplant because the root system can be larger than the plant above ground.

Seed is the best way to propagate Skunk Cabbage, but you must sow the seeds immediately when ripe, as they are very ephemeral.

The foliage contains heavy amounts of oxalic acid so it is deer- and pest-resistant. According to the National Wildlife Federation, bears will eat the berry-like fruit. They also eat the roots after emerging from hibernation because the roots act as a laxative.

Skunk Cabbage: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio and Text by Kathy Jentz

Video, Photos, and Editing by Aicha Bangoura

Additional Photos by Barry Glick and Miri Talabac

Video footage collected on the campus natural areas of the University of Maryland Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.

 

➤ 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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~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC

If you liked this video, you may enjoy these other plant profiles:

 Virginia Bluebells Plant Profile

 https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2018/04/plant-profile-virginia-bluebells.html

 Baptisia Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/07/baptisia-plant-profile.html

 Spring Beauty Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/04/plant-profile-spring-beauty-claytonia.html

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