178 - Plant Geeks in Love and Their Botanical Journey - Jon & Adrienne Rothling

In episode 178 of 'The Garden Question' podcast, host Craig McManus interviews Adrienne and John Rothling, directors of the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden in Kernersville, NC and Reynolda Gardens of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. respectively.They share their personal and professional journeys in horticulture, the creation and maintenance of their gardens, and their experiences of integrating their personal life with their passion for plants. How they handle garden conflicts at home. Even their vacations are about plants. The episode covers their innovative garden projects, their approaches to garden design and maintenance, and valuable gardening advice. The couple also discusses the impact of extreme weather, working with limited resources, and fostering a love for gardening in their communities. Time Line00:00 Introduction to The Garden Question Podcast00:42 Meet the Plant Geeks: Adrian and John Rothling01:47 Adrian's Journey to the South02:59 How Adrian and John Met04:18 Gardening Advice from Adrian and John05:13 Introducing Their Gardens06:53 Challenges and Historical Aspects of Their Gardens14:27 Creative Projects and Innovations21:34 Winter Projects and Community Engagement25:08 Gardening Philosophy and Personal Stories30:47 A Memorable Plant Mishap31:28 Vacationing with a Green Thumb33:51 Learning from Extreme Weather36:40 Horticultural Discoveries and Challenges40:10 Promoting Biodiversity in Gardens42:31 Debunking Garden Myths44:14 Personal Horticultural Journeys46:14 Funny Garden Stories49:54 Valuable Garden Mistakes52:44 Future Garden Plans53:52 Favorite Plants of the Week55:22 Mentors and Inspirations58:31 Connecting with the Rothlings