Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 125: Sensational Seed Heads

Flowers and foliage get most of the fanfare, but a plant with eye-catching seed heads will add interest for weeks or even months after its bloom time is over. The textures and shapes of these seed-bearing structures are delightfully diverse, ranging from alliums’ showy starbursts to plump peony pods and the feathery tassels of clematis. Our hosts and expert guest will share some favorite selections that look great after they go to seed.

Expert guest: Amanda Thomsen is a horticulturist, garden designer, and author based in suburban Chicago.

Danielle’s Plants

'Purple Sensation' allium
‘Purple Sensation’ allium

‘Purple Sensation’ allium (Allium ‘Purple Sensation’, Zones 3–9)

'Kopper Kettle' Itoh peony
‘Kopper Kettle’ Itoh peony

‘Kopper Kettle’ Itoh peony (Paeonia ‘Kopper Kettle’, Zones 3–8)

'Goldsturm' black-eyed Susan
‘Goldsturm’ black-eyed Susan

‘Goldsturm’ black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’, Zones 3–9)

Baptisia
Baptisia

Baptisia (Baptisia australis, Zones 3–9)

 

Carol’s Plants

‘Strawberry Fields’ gomphrena
‘Strawberry Fields’ gomphrena

‘Strawberry Fields’ gomphrena (Gomphrena haageana ‘Strawberry Fields’, Zones 9–11)

Tibetan clematis in flower
Tibetan clematis in flower
Tibetan clematis seed heads
Tibetan clematis seed heads

Tibetan clematis (Clematis tibetana, Zones 6–9)

Kamchatka sedum seed heads
Kamchatka sedum seed heads

Kamchatka sedum (Sedum kamptschaticum, Zones 3–8)

‘Blue Glow’ globe thistle
‘Blue Glow’ globe thistle

‘Blue Glow’ globe thistle (Echinops bannaticus, Zones 3–8)

 

Expert’s Plants

Angel’s trumpet plant
Angel’s trumpet plant. Photo: Amanda Thomsen
Angel’s trumpet seedpods
Angel’s trumpet seedpods. Photo: Amanda Thomsen

Angel’s trumpet (Datura innoxia, Zones 9–10)

Love-in-a-mist plant
Love-in-a-mist plant. Photo: Amanda Thomsen

Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena, annual)

Love-in-a-mist seedpods
Love-in-a-mist seedpods. Photo: Amanda Thomsen
Love lies bleeding plant
Love lies bleeding plant. Photo: Amanda Thomsen
Love lies bleeding seedpods
Love lies bleeding seedpods. Photo: Amanda Thomsen

Love lies bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus, annual)

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