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Everything You Need To Know About Evergreens and Talking Tea With Debra Knapke | 67



Welcome to the 67th episode of the Gardening Simplified Radio Show! In this episode, hosts (Stacey Hirvela and Rick Vuyst) discuss the enduring appeal and practical benefits of evergreen trees, their role in landscaping, and why they’re valuable all year round.

Learn about Castle Spire blue holly’s unique features and discover clever ways to use bird activity for weed control. Find out how to efficiently shred leaves with a weed eater. In the Garden Mail segment, get expert advice on caring for Limelight hydrangeas and managing snow-laden shrubs during winter.

Special guest Deborah Knapke, The Garden Sage, shares her expertise on crafting herbal teas, highlighting the art of blending flavors and the benefits of homegrown herbs. Tune in to explore gardening tips and tricks from Stacey and Rick, making gardening simpler and more enjoyable for all.

00:00 – Episode 67 Introduction
01:11 – Evergreens Introduction
02:53 – Christmas Tree Syndrome
04:12 – Benefits of Evergreens
05:53 – An Evergreen Limerick
06:06 – Return on Investment
09:11 – Evergreen for Landscapes

09:52 – Plants on Trial: Castle Spire blue holly
14:55 – English Holly
17:12 – Characteristics of Castle Spire blue holly

20:23 – Gardening Questions and Answers
20:48 – S/O to Rick
22:58 – Weed Control with Birds
25:39 – Growing Limelight Hydrangeas
29:03 – Dealing with Snow-Loaded Shrubs

31:11 – Guest: Deborah Knapke, The Garden Sage
33:03 – Introduction and History of Herbal Teas (Tisane or Tea)
36:31 – Types of Teas
43:07 – Tea Brewing Tips: Fresh vs. Dried Herbs
45:42 – Time Lawn and Tea Box Introduction
50:45 – Herbal Tea Brewing
53:30 – Favorite Herb and Landscape Plant

Show notes!
https://gardeningsimplifiedonair.com/…

Find Debra’s books and much more on her website! https://www.debrathegardensage.com/#home

For more information on Castle Spire® Blue Holly https://www.mypwcolorchoices.com/prod…

To see more on the Gardening Simplified Show visit, https://gardeningsimplifiedonair.com/

Have a question you want to be answered? Send them our way! Stacey and Rick will answer them on the show. Leave your questions in the comments below or visit our website!

20 Comments

  5. @mmcreads

    Wish Kathleen had also developed a holly that would thrive in my high desert alkaline soil 😢

  6. @youbetcha108

    In January here in7a New York I have a juniper making berries for the robins. By golly that tree houses close to 75 robins gobbling up the berries. It’s amazing to see. Yaopan tea comes from a holly. Very high in caffeine and native Americans drank it for a kick. Hard to find in stores. Can get it in line. Harney has it. Nice tasting. Mellow but strong. Have a nice weekend🙂

  7. @lindamiller394

    Thanks for the video. I just planted two female spires and one male this spring. Now for patience to see them grow.😊

  8. @brandonkirk4806

    I also tried Rick’s leaf mulch trick this fall and it worked like a charm. The weed eater turns the trash can into a giant blender and it’s a total blast. I was disappointed when I ran out of leaves to shred – I didn’t want to stop!

  9. @TrixieJFerguson

    While not your “traditional” evergreen … here in south-central Texas, the cedar tree is the bane of many suffering humans’ existence. December and January are positively dreadful for allergy sufferers when the cedar trees in the Texas Hill Country decided to try to kill us all every year in the late fall/early winter.

  10. @lilyw.1788

    Very popular Cantonese drink is Hong Kong milk tea with evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk. Its brewed very strong to accommodate the milk ratio

  11. @amykirk83

    Sadly I’m one of those people that can’t deal with the smell of evergreens inside my house. Holy cow they make me feel miserable 🤧 But I love looking at them in my yard. 🤩🤩

  12. @cherylramsey3409

    Hello, I live in Central Florida USDA zone. My encore aliens have full bright hot Florida sun and humidity in the morning but come 1 pm they getting into the shade. They are well mulched, flower multiple times a year They look beautiful.

  13. @altheajackson5701

    Hello I need a plant for the front of my house. Something that will be a beautiful full hedge, blooms and matches my red house accents. Please help. My area gets part sun and shade, zone 7A maybe 7B in 22554 area of Virginia.. I think I will be planting a hydrangea as well😂help🙏🏾👍 oh and not boxwoods😂

  16. @denvertom7627

    please inform your listeners that echinacea can be a contraindication for individuals taking medications for immunosupressed health conditions. check with your doctor to make sure it is appropriate for you.

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