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Hosta La Vista: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Betsy Peterson and Mandy Olson
A Hosta and shade gardening podcast for growing beautiful, low-light landscapes. Sisters Betsy Peterson and Mandy Olson explore Hosta varieties, care, shade garden design, and companion plants that thrive where the sun doesn’t. Get practical tips on shade perennials, Hosta cultivation, slug and deer resistance, plus the joy of building a Hosta garden. Featuring weekly interviews with top hybridizers, nurseries, and collectors across the country.
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- 5 days ago52 min
Native, Non-Native, or Invasive? Making Sense of the Garden Debate with Neil Diboll of Prairie Nursery
Hosta lovers, have you ever been told that your garden should be "all native"? Or wondered where hostas fit into today's growing native plant movement?In this thought-provoking episode of Hosta La Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast, Betsy and Mandy sit down with native plant pioneer Neil Diboll, President of Prairie Nursery in Westfield, Wisconsin, and one of North America's leading voices on native landscaping. Neil has spent more than four decades helping gardeners understand how native plants can create beautiful, sustainable landscapes while supporting pollinators, birds, and local ecosystems. Together, we tackle the often-heated conversation surrounding native plants vs. non-native plants vs. invasive species. Are ornamental plants really the villains some social media commenters make them out to be? How should Hosta enthusiasts respond when the native plant debate shows up online? And is there a way to celebrate both Hostas and native plants in the same garden?Neil shares practical advice for gardeners who want to:Understand the difference between native, non-native, and invasive plantsAdd native plants without tearing out an established shade gardenChoose native trees that provide beauty, habitat, and shadeIncorporate native wildflowers and groundcovers alongside hostasCreate a more wildlife-friendly landscape without sacrificing aestheticsSelect native plants that thrive in shady conditionsWhether you're a dedicated Hosta collector, a shade gardening enthusiast, or simply curious about the native plant movement, this episode offers a balanced, practical discussion that moves beyond the social media arguments and focuses on creating gardens that are both beautiful and ecologically valuable.Topics discussed: native plants, Hostas, shade gardening, native trees, pollinator gardens, prairie restoration, invasive species, woodland natives, sustainable landscaping, wildlife gardening, Prairie Nursery, Neil Diboll, and gardening for biodiversity.#HostaLaVistaPodcast #Hostas #NativePlants #ShadeGardening #NeilDiboll #PrairieNursery #PollinatorGarden #NativeTrees #WoodlandGarden #GardenPodcast #SustainableLandscaping
- 1 weeks ago55 min
Shade Garden Secrets with Stacy Ling of Bricks 'n Blooms: Companion Plants, Pollinators & Season-Long Color
Do your shade gardens look amazing in June but tired and empty by midsummer? Wondering how to keep color, texture, blooms, butterflies, and hummingbirds coming all season long—even when deer and rabbits threaten your hard work?This week on Hosta la Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast, Betsy Peterson and Mandy Olson welcome gardening expert, author, Master Gardener, YouTuber, and Bricks 'n Blooms founder Stacy Ling.Featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Architectural Digest, Fine Gardening, Garden Design, Horticulture Magazine, USA Today, Birds & Blooms, People Magazine, Live with Kelly & Mark, and HGTV, Stacy helps gardeners create beautiful, low-maintenance landscapes that thrive throughout the growing season.In this episode, Stacy shares strategies for creating lush, layered gardens that never look boring. Whether you garden in deep shade, part shade, or full sun, you'll learn how to combine perennials, annuals, foliage plants, and flowering plants for continuous interest from spring through fall.We tackle two of gardeners' biggest frustrations: deer and rabbits. Stacy shares practical approaches to protect your garden while creating a landscape that's beautiful, welcoming, and full of life.Stacy also reveals the companion planting techniques and design principles she uses to keep her own New Jersey gardens looking magazine-worthy all season long.In this episode you'll discover:• The secret to keeping a shade garden attractive from spring through fall• Companion plants that pair beautifully with hostas and other shade perennials• How to mix annuals and perennials for nonstop color and interest• Easy ways to attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators• What actually works when deer and rabbits damage your garden• The biggest mistakes gardeners make when designing shade beds• How to create layers, texture, and structure that look great all season• Stacy's favorite plants for extending the gardening seasonWe also discuss Stacy's journey from attorney to one of gardening's most recognizable online voices, the growth of Bricks 'n Blooms, her bestselling gardening books, and her upcoming release, Filling Your Home with Life: A No-Fail Guide to Styling Your Space with the Perfect Plants, arriving October 6, 2026.Whether you're growing Hostas, building a pollinator garden, battling deer, or looking for practical garden design ideas, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice.Follow Stacy Ling and Bricks 'n Blooms:Website: https://stacyling.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BricksNBloomsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksnbloomsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bricksnbloomsPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bricksnbloomsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bricksnbloomsFollow Hosta la Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast:Website: https://hostalavista.orgYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hostalavistapodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/hostalavistapodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandozizSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/231XECpOogYIlghZQ1EPzgApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hosta-la-vista/id1817318895iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hosta-la-vista-278517713Email: hostalavistapodcast@gmail.comSearch terms: shade gardening, hosta companion plants, deer-resistant plants, rabbit-resistant plants, pollinator gardens, hummingbird gardens, butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, perennial gardening, annual flowers, low-maintenance landscaping, garden design, shade perennials, four-season interest, Bricks 'n Blooms, Stacy Ling.#ShadeGardening #Hostas #CompanionPlants #DeerResistantPlants #PollinatorGarden #ButterflyGarden #HummingbirdGarden #PerennialGarden #GardenDesign #GardeningTips #BricksNBlooms #StacyLing #HostaLaVista
- 2 weeks ago1h 10m
Hosta Hybridizing 101: A 'Best of' Season 1 with David Teager, Olga Petryszyn, Don Rawson & David Bowe
Ever wondered how new Hostas are created? How hybridizers choose parents, make crosses, evaluate seedlings, and decide which plants are worthy of registration?In this special "Best of Season 1" episode of Hosta la Vista, we're bringing together some of the most respected voices in Hosta hybridizing: David Teager, Olga Petryszyn, Don Rawson, and David Bowe.Whether you're a longtime Hosta collector or someone who's been curious about creating your very first hybrid, this episode walks you through the entire process—from collecting pollen and making your first cross to growing seedlings and discovering that one special plant that could become the next great Hosta introduction via tissue culture.You'll hear practical advice, hard-earned lessons, memorable stories, and the unique philosophies that have guided these accomplished breeders throughout their hybridizing journeys. Together, these four guests have introduced dozens of beloved cultivars and helped shape the future of Hosta breeding.Topics include:• How to get started hybridizing Hostas• Choosing pod and pollen parents• Growing seedlings and evaluating results• What makes a seedling worth keeping• How tissue culture works• Advice for aspiring Hosta hybridizersWant to learn even more about Hosta hybridizing? Be sure to visit David Teager's YouTube Channel, where he shares educational videos and insights from his years of experience as a hybridizer.If you've ever dreamed of creating your own Hosta, this is the perfect place to start.Questions, comments, or guest suggestions? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com.Vist our website at hostalavista.org Follow Hosta la Vista on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for weekly conversations about Hostas, shade gardening, and the people who make this community so special.
- 3 weeks ago59 min
Horticultural Therapy and the Healing Power of Plants
Horticultural therapy is changing the way we think about health, healing, and well-being. In this episode of Hosta la Vista, hosts Betsy and Mandy talk with Chris VandenBosche, a Pittsburgh-area Master Gardener and registered horticultural therapist, about what horticultural therapy is, how practitioners are credentialed, and why working with plants can support people in many different stages of life.They’re also joined by Alisa Bowe Lenhardt, a member of the recreational therapy team at Masonic Village outside Pittsburgh, who shares how her team uses plant-based activities to bring comfort, engagement, and connection to the people they serve. The conversation also touches on Good Nature: The New Science of How Nature Improves Our Health by Kathy Willis and Teepa Snow’s helpful dementia care resources for caregivers and families available on YouTube.If you’re a gardener, caregiver, health professional, or simply curious about how horticultural therapy works, this episode offers practical insight and inspiration. For more information about horticultural therapy, or to find a registered horticultural therapist near you, visit ahta.org. *trigger warning: discussions on suicide*Brought to you by Green Hill Hostas In the Country Garden and Gifts. Hit the + sign to follow the pod and stay up to date on new episodes. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and visit hostalavista.org.
- Jun 29, 202656 min
2026 American Hosta Society Convention Recap: Groovy Plants Ranch, Leaf Show Legends & Hosta Heaven in Dublin, Ohio
In this episode, we take you inside the 2026 American Hosta Society Convention in Dublin, Ohio (June 10–13), with firsthand insights from attendees Cheryl Lockhart, Andy Marlow, Susan Ragsdale, and Julie Lewter. Whether you attended or missed it, this recap covers everything hosta lovers care about.We dive into stunning garden tours, standout moments from the leaf show, and what made this year’s auction and awards so memorable. You’ll also hear highlights from keynote speakers, behind-the-scenes stories from “Hostatality,” and a few unexpected hotel moments that made the experience even more fun.Plus, we discuss exciting new hosta introductions coming soon and share a preview of what to expect at the 2027 American Hosta Society Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.If you’re passionate about hostas, shade gardening, or plant conventions, this episode is packed with inspiration, insights, and community highlights.
- Jun 26, 20261h 3m
Doug Ruff Hosta Hybridizer Interview Part 2: Breeding Blushing Hostas with Anthocyanin Color
Join Hosta la Vista this week for Part 2 of our exclusive interview with renowned hosta hybridizer Doug Ruff — the breeder behind some of the most sought-after hosta cultivars on the market, including Hosta- Bloodline, Light the Match, Electric Fire, Violet Blue, and many more.Doug is at the forefront of hosta breeding and hybridizing, pioneering work to bring vibrant anthocyanin coloration and "blushing" traits up into hosta leaves. In this behind-the-scenes episode, he opens the gates to his Minnesota hosta growing operation and shares the techniques that have made his breeding program so successful.In this episode, you'll learn:The growing medium Doug uses to produce healthy, vigorous hostasHow he forces plants to emerge early so different cultivars bloom simultaneously for hybridizingWhy Hosta ventricosa remains an essential tool in his breeding programHow he manages drought stress and keeps hostas thriving during dry summersHis proven method for overwintering potted hostas above ground in Minnesota's harsh climateThe parent plants behind some of his most famous hosta introductionsWhich pod and pollen parents produce the best blushing hosta offspringHow he uses artificial intelligence (AI) to track anthocyanin expression, analyze color traits, and plan future hosta crossesIf you've ever wondered how red, purple, and yellow coloration makes its way into hosta leaves, this episode offers a fascinating look at the years of patience, experimentation, and innovation behind it.Shop Doug Ruff's Hostas:Interested in adding Doug Ruff's blushing hosta varieties to your garden? Visit our sponsor, In the Country Garden and Gifts, the exclusive source for many of Doug's hosta introductions.Subscribe & Connect:Click Follow (the + sign) on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode of Hosta la Vista. If you enjoy the show, we'd love a review — it helps other gardeners find us!Questions, comments, or guest suggestions? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.comFollow Hosta la Vista on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or visit us at hostalavista.org
- Jun 19, 202659 min
Bloodline Hosta Creator Doug Ruff: Inside His Private Hosta Hybridizing Program (Part 1)
In Part 1 of this special podcast episode, we visit Hosta hybridizer Doug Ruff at his home for an exclusive, nearly two-hour tour of his private breeding program. Best known as the creator of the wildly popular and hard-to-find Bloodline Hosta, Doug gives us a rare behind-the-scenes look at the plants, techniques, and growing setup that have made his work so respected among hosta collectors.But red is only the beginning. Doug has mastered the art of anthocyanins—the pigments responsible for the blushing color in hosta leaves—and he shares his passion for pushing hosta color further than ever before. From long-lasting red tones to exciting work in purples, oranges, and beyond, this episode reveals the artistry, experimentation, and relentless pursuit of perfection behind Doug’s hybrids.Doug is an intensely private person, making this a rare and remarkable look inside his hosta program. If you love hostas, rare plants, plant breeding, or innovative garden hybrids, you won’t want to miss this one. This is Part 1 of 2—be sure to tune in next Saturday for Part 2.Visit his website at hostaoriginals.com to learn more. Tune in to Hosta La Vista wherever you listen to podcasts. Not sure where to start? Visit us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube. Have a burning question or a comment? write to us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.comFor listeners interested in buying Doug Ruff's plants, visit inthecountrygardenandgifts.com and enter code PODCAST at checkout for free shipping on orders over $100. Good through August 31, 2026.
- Jun 13, 202652 min
How the 2026–2027 Super El Niño Could Affect Gardens
What exactly is a “Super El Niño,” and should gardeners across the United States be paying attention?In this episode of Hosta la Vista, sisters Mandy and Betsy sit down with Pam Knox, agricultural climatologist and Director of the Weather Network at the University of Georgia, to unpack the headlines surrounding the possible 2026–2027 Super El Niño and what it could mean for gardening across the U.S. this fall, winter, and into next spring.Will your region experience unusual warmth, heavier rainfall, drought, snow, flooding, or an early spring? Could shifting weather patterns affect planting timing, moisture levels, frost dates, or overall garden success?Pam helps us separate hype from reality as we explore how El Niño weather patterns affect the United States, why meteorologists are watching this developing climate event closely, and what gardeners should (and shouldn’t) be paying attention to heading into the 2026–2027 gardening season. From temperature and precipitation trends to regional growing conditions, this conversation offers practical insight for gardeners who want to better understand the long-range weather outlook.If you’ve been hearing news stories about the Super El Niño, wondering how El Niño affects gardening, or trying to figure out what the 2026–2027 weather forecast for gardeners could look like in your part of the country, this episode is for you.Topics include:2What a Super El Niño actually isHow El Niño affects weather across the U.S.Possible gardening impacts for fall, winter, and springRegional weather patterns gardeners should watchTemperature shifts, precipitation trends, frost timing, and planting windows
About Hosta La Vista
A Hosta and shade gardening podcast for growing beautiful, low-light landscapes. Sisters Betsy Peterson and Mandy Olson explore Hosta varieties, care, shade garden design, and companion plants that thrive where the sun doesn’t. Get practical tips on shade perennials, Hosta cultivation, slug and deer resistance, plus the joy of building a Hosta garden. Featuring weekly interviews with top hybridizers, nurseries, and collectors across the country.
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