Discover how to successfully grow asters in your garden with expert tips and insights. Ideal for gardeners of all levels looking to enhance their floral displays.

Asters are beloved for their vibrant colors and late-season blooms, but many gardeners have mixed feelings about these perennial plants. In this post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of growing asters, including their limitations, care tips, and some of the best varieties to consider for your garden. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you’ll find valuable insights on how to make the most of these charming flowers.

In this episode of Stories from the Garden, Dr. A explores one of nature’s most hopeful plants: fireweed.

If you’ve ever traveled through areas that have experienced wildfire, you may have noticed something remarkable. Not long after the smoke clears, tall spikes of vibrant pink-purple flowers begin rising from the blackened earth. That plant is fireweed—and its name tells the story.

Fireweed earned its common name because it is often one of the first plants to return after a fire. Its seeds travel easily on the wind, and once sunlight reaches the soil in newly cleared areas, they germinate quickly. Where trees once shaded the forest floor, fire opens the canopy—and fireweed answers the call.

In this episode of Stories from the Garden, Dr. Allan Armitage turns the spotlight on an often-overlooked native plant with a rich past: boneset.

Known for its long history in traditional medicine, boneset earned its name from its use in treating “breakbone fever,” a term once used to describe the intense aches associated with illnesses like influenza and dengue. Dr. Armitage explores how this plant became a staple in early remedies, particularly for fevers, colds, and coughs, and why it was so widely trusted.

Beyond its medicinal legacy, boneset is also a valuable addition to the garden. Dr. Armitage shares practical tips for growing this hardy native, including where it thrives, how to care for it, and why it’s a great choice for supporting pollinators and adding texture to naturalistic plantings.

Whether you’re interested in the history of herbal medicine or looking to incorporate more native plants into your landscape, this episode offers both insight and inspiration.

In this episode, Dr. A turns our attention to impatiens—plants often found in moist areas, especially along streams, and growing naturally in many parts of the world.

While familiar garden impatiens may seem ordinary at first glance, Dr. A reminds us that these plants, like so many others, have fascinating stories to tell.

In this episode, Dr. A highlights one of his most guilt-free plant recommendations: purple fennel. Perfect for gardeners with limited space, purple fennel is a standout example of foodscaping—blending edible plants seamlessly into an ornamental garden. With its feathery purple foliage, graceful height, and unmistakable licorice fragrance, this plant earns its place anywhere it gets four to five hours of sun

In this episode, Dr. A shares one of his favorite kinds of garden tales: the story behind a plant’s name. Today’s spotlight is on Epimedium, a tough, graceful ground cover native to Japan that thrives in shade, fills space beautifully, and surprises gardeners with delicate spring flowers and handsome foliage. But Epimedium’s real intrigue lies in its colorful common names—and the folklore behind them.