While searching through our archive of episodes recently, we discovered something: There are a few specific plants we just can’t stop talking about. As the years have progressed here at Let’s Argue About Plants, we find ourselves experimenting with more and more varieties, so we have something new to report back to you. But frankly, there is a core of plants that we could talk about every episode because they are just that good. We try to mix it up, but these stars have made it into more than a couple recordings—and rightly so. With that, we decided not to fight nature and to give these stars their spotlight. In today’s compilation episode you’ll hear about Carol and Danielle’s top four plants—again—but for good reason. They are selections that no garden should be without, in our humble opinions.

Danielle’s Plants

‘Perry’s Gold’ Norway spruce (Picea abies ‘Perry’s Gold’, Zones 3–9)

‘Crested Surf’ painted fern (Athyrium niponicum ‘Crested Surf’, Zones 3–8)

‘Snow Fairy’ blue mist shrub (Caryopteris divaricata ‘Snow Fairy’, Zones 6-9)

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia, Zones 4–9)

Carol’s Plants

Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum, Zones 3–8)

New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus, Zones 4–8)

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa, Zones 3–9)

Pink Icing^® blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum ‘ZF06-079’, Zones 5–10)