On this week’s Good Growing podcast, we talk with Commercial Agriculture Educator Elizabeth Wahle about some of her favorite plants. In addition to some of her favorite plants, we discuss her process of selecting plants, how she handles wildlife in her garden, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GMK4U0tKnvk Plants we discuss: Crocus, Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Hellebore (Helleborus), Dogtooth Violet (Erythronium), Herbaceous Peonies (Paeonia), Kentucky Lady Slipper (Cypripedium kentuckiense), Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica), Bee Balm 'Jacob Cline' (Monarda), Purple Coneflower 'Fragrant Angel' (Echinacea purpurea), Bottle Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii), Tatarian Aster 'Jin Dai' (Aster tataricus) 02:15 - Welcome Elizabeth 03:53 - Where do you find your plant material and how do you choose what to grow? 08:10 Favorite blooming plants in early spring 09:05 - Crocus 09:20 - Cornelian cherry dogwood 10:05 - Bloodroot 11:00 - Hellebore 12:03 - Do you have problems with wildlife? What do you do about them? 14:58 - When is the best time to plant spring blooming plants? 16:53 - How do you keep your peonies from flopping? 20:15 - Are lady slippers difficult to grow? Any tips? 24:45 - Thoughts on Indian Pink? Does it attract humming birds? 27:23 - Jacob Cline bee balm, whats so special? 29:15 - Fragrant angel coneflower, why did you pick it and does it stay true to form? 32:57 - Bottle gentian has unique flowers, how does it get pollinated? 34:24 - Saffron crocus, do you harvest saffron from yours? 36:10 - Tartarian aster 'Jin Dai' 38:22 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what's up next week, and goodbye Mt. Cuba Center Garden Trials - https://mtcubacenter.org/research/trial-garden/ Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Evaluations - https://www.chicagobotanic.org/collections/ornamental_plant_research/plant_evaluation Check out the Good Growing Blog extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing --- Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.