Episode Summary
In our very first episode of Ozark Garden Talk with White River Nursery, hosts Sarah McCue (Owner), Charity Cox (Event Coordinator and Plant Buyer), and Alex Royce (General Manager) share the new and noteworthy plants they’re most excited about this year. From striking ornamental shrubs to native edibles, we explore how these varieties can thrive in the unique climate of the Ozarks. We also chat about the joys (and occasional challenges) of local gardening, plus a few tips on matching the right plant to the right location.
In This Episode
Welcome & Introductions (0:00 – 2:00)
Sarah welcomes listeners to Ozark Garden Talk—recorded in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Meet the co-hosts: Charity, the event coordinator and plant buyer, and Alex, the general manager.
Why a podcast? They have these plant conversations among themselves and with customers daily, so they decided to share them with the whole community.
Plant #1 Highlights (2:00 – 6:10)
Charity kicks things off with the El Nino Desert Orchid Chitalpa (a Proven Winners release).
A hybrid between Desert Willow (Chilopsis) and Catalpa, bringing cold hardiness, drought tolerance, and big purple orchid-like blooms.
Great for pollinators thanks to its fragrance, and it tolerates both floods and drought—just remember it’s still relatively new, so consider winter protection in colder microclimates.
El Nino Desert Orchid- Chitalpa
Plant #2 Highlights (6:10 – 9:00)
Alex introduces the Sky Dew Gold Blueberry (another Proven Winners variety).
Compact size (2–3 ft tall, 3–4 ft wide) with bright gold foliage that transitions to oranges and reds in fall.
Remember: blueberries need acidic soil and a pollinator partner (like ‘Blu Ray’ or ‘Blue Crop’) to produce berries.
Sky Dew Gold Blueberry- Vaccinium corymbosum
Plant #3 Highlights (9:00 – 10:45)
Sarah shares the Golden Anniversary Baptisia (False Indigo) with bright yellow foliage and classic blue blooms.
Native to North America; Baptisia is famously drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and a pollinator favorite.
Thrives in full sun to light shade, reaching about 30–36 inches tall.
Golden Anniversary False Indigo - Baptisia
More Exciting Picks (10:45 – 18:00)
Charity on the Aquavita Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar) with neon-blue foliage:
A tough, native evergreen that grows ~12–15 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide.
Great as a striking accent or a hedge row, offering color contrast year-round.
Aquavita - Juniperus virginiana
Alex on Bristol Black Raspberry:
Native, heat-tolerant, upright canes, and abundant flavorful berries.
Ideal if you want to add edible elements to your ornamental garden.
Bristol Black Raspberry
Snowcicle (18:00 – 24:00)
Sarah on Snowcicle Oakleaf Hydrangea—double blooms, 12–14 inches long, possibly weeping under their own weight.
A gorgeous native hydrangea known for low maintenance, showy flowers, and stunning fall color.
The hosts compare notes on different double-blooming hydrangeas like ‘Gatsby Moon.’
Snowcicle Oakleaf Hydrangea - Hydrangea quercifolia
Native Groundcover Alternative (24:00 – 28:00)
Charity highlights the Purple Knockout Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata):
A groundcover that’s a native alternative to Ajuga, featuring burgundy foliage and purple flowers for pollinators.
Grows about 18 inches tall, prefers dappled shade, and spreads by self-seeding.
Purple Knockout Lyreleaf Sage- Salvia lyrata
Serviceberry & Crossvine (28:00 – 29:50)
Alex on Spring Glory Serviceberry, a smaller (12 ft tall) variety ideal for city lots.
Offers white spring blooms, delicious blueberry-like fruit, and vibrant fall color.
Suckers gently, so prune if you want a single-stem tree form.
Spring Glory Serviceberry- Amelanchier canadensis
Sarah introduces the Dressed to Thrill Crossvine, a vigorous native vine with orange-red tubular blooms that hummingbirds love.
Perfect for a large trellis or privacy screen, blooming on new wood so it can be pruned back each year.
Dressed To Thrill Crossvine- Bignonia capreolata
Wrap-Up & Looking Ahead (29:50 – end)
The hosts discuss more podcast topics to come: monthly chats on seasonal tips, new plant arrivals, and creative landscaping ideas.
Stay tuned for future episodes where they’ll share updates on how these plants perform and answer listener questions.
Key Takeaways
Native & New Plants: Many of the highlighted plants are either new to the market or are excellent native alternatives that support local pollinators.
Ozark Gardening Challenges: Cold hardiness and heat tolerance are top concerns. The hosts share real-world experiences to guide you in plant selection.
Landscape Solutions: Whether it’s an edible berry shrub, a screening vine, or a striking ornamental tree, there’s something for every gardener looking to add color, structure, or wildlife value.
Call to Action
Visit White River Nursery: If you’re in the Fayetteville area, stop by to see these new arrivals (subject to availability) and chat with our knowledgeable team.
Subscribe & Share: If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to our podcast, share it with fellow plant lovers, and leave a review so others can discover Ozark Garden Talk.
Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for gardening tips, updates on new plant shipments, and upcoming events.
Thank You for Listening!
We hope you enjoyed our very first episode of Ozark Garden Talk with White River Nursery. Stay tuned for more plant picks, local gardening news, and expert advice—all to help you grow a thriving garden in the Ozarks.
Got questions or topic suggestions? Drop us a comment or send us a message!
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