In episode 144 of the Garden Question podcast, host Craig McManus interviews Marianne Wilburn, a garden writer and expert.
opinion columnist for the American Horticultural Society's The American Gardener and is a contributing editor at GardenRant.com.
She authored the exciting book, Tropical Plants and How to Love Them, and her first book, Big Dreams and Small Gardens. Marianne's work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Better Homes and Gardens. In this episode, we talk about challenging the norms that may be holding you back in your gardening endeavors.
Wilburn shares her insights on gardening and breaking free from conventional norms and constraints. They discuss dealing with garden centers' choices, HOA regulations, and the controversial norm of only using native plants.
Wilburn encourages listeners to embrace gardening as a transformative and creative experience and urges them to question the norm, understand the dynamics of ecosystems, and learn the adaptation of environmental changes.
They delve into the importance of visualizing the garden, nurturing it slowly, and using the trial-and-error process, further discussing how patience plays a critical role in cultivating a successful garden.
Wilburn also emphasizes the significance of nurturing real-world relationships with other gardeners, learning from them, and sharing knowledge and experiences.
00:03 Introduction to the Garden Question Podcast
00:41 Conversation with Mary Ann Wilburn: Unearthing Garden Wisdom
01:33 Challenging Norms in Gardening
01:52 The Debate: Native vs Non-Native Plants
02:21 Visualizing Your Garden: The Key to Success
02:38 Breaking Free from Conventional Gardening
03:04 Constraints in Gardening: A Discussion
03:33 The Impact of HOAs on Gardening
04:04 The Fear of Getting it Wrong in Gardening
05:20 The Role of Personal Taste in Gardening
09:20 The Debate on Native and Non-Native Plants
10:50 The Impact of Climate Change on Gardening
23:00 The Constraints of HOAs on Gardening
27:25 The Role of Turf in Gardening
33:53 The Evolution of Flora and Fauna
40:06 Understanding the Evolution of Life on Earth
40:33 Applying Evolutionary Concepts to Current Times
40:52 The Role of Adaptation in Species Survival
42:07 The Importance of Scientific Inquiry and Open-Mindedness
43:23 The Role of Humans in the Natural Order
44:34 Encouraging Open Conversations and Inquiry
45:47 The Art of Garden Design and Maintenance
50:52 The Importance of Patience and Stewardship in Gardening
55:22 The Journey of a Gardening Professional
58:20 Learning from Gardening Mistakes
01:03:30 The Value of Personal Relationships in Gardening
01:07:22 Exploring Garden Rant: A Platform for Garden Writers