Gardening Simplified

Gardening Simplified

Introducing Gardening Simplified, a new radio show and podcast from Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs. Hosted by life-long gardeners Rick Vuyst and Stacey Hirvela, the Gardening Simplified show is designed to share our love of plants and gardening. Whatever your skill or experience level, you’ll find something interesting, useful, and just plain fascinating in every episode.

Episodes

2026 Shrubs of the Year

January 3, 2026 • 44 mins
New Year, new plants! Hear all about the 2026 Shrubs of the Year from Proven Winners ColorChoice shrubs.
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Celebrating Plants and a New Year

December 27, 2025 • 42 mins
The New Year is often brought in with various traditions and celebrations. In this episode, we talk about the plants used in these and the symbolism of each. Plus, a few garden resolutions for the New Year. Featured plant: Persimmon.
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The Botany Behind Christmas

December 20, 2025 • 44 mins
Christmas history and traditions are heavily influenced by plants, I mean, we bring a whole tree in the house for the holiday! Learn all about the plants behind this holiday.
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Jack Frost in the Garden | All About Frost and Freezes

December 13, 2025 • 44 mins
Is frost really a bad thing for plants? Find out the difference between a frost, and a freeze, and when to take action against them. Plus, hear the benefits of snow in the garden. Featured shrub, Oso Easy Ice Bay rose.
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Pushing the Boundaries in the Garden

December 6, 2025 • 45 mins
As Stacey says, real gardening starts once you’re not afraid to make mistakes. Sure, taking risks can be scary, but it can also be so rewarding! Whether you try to push the limits of spacing or hardiness, stepping out of your comfort zone is a big part of gardening. We discuss ways to push the boundaries in the landscape and the potential benefits of doing so. Featured shrub: Just Chill Red Tip camellia.
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The Beauty and Benefits of Broadleaf Evergreens

November 29, 2025 • 44 mins
Broadleaf evergreens, or as we like to call them, flowering evergreens, are powerhouses in the landscape. They give you interest, structure, privacy, and color every season. In this episode, we explore the wide variety of broadleaf evergreens and how to care for them. Featured shrub: Gem Box inkberry holly.
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The Botany of Thanksgiving

November 22, 2025 • 44 mins
There are many plants used as culinary staples when it comes to Thanksgiving. In this episode, we talk about the history, cultural impact, and nature behind these plants. Plus, you’ll never guess what Stacey picked for this week’s plant on trial, but you won’t want to miss it!
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Captivating Conifers | A Guide to Understanding Conifers

November 15, 2025 • 45 mins
Conifers, often mistaken for Pine trees, are and have been landscape staples throughout history. Not to mention a classic choice for the Christmas tree! We dive into what makes a conifer, a conifer, and talk about the wide variety of conifers in the world. Fun facts, care tips, and how to deal with Juglone (the chemical produced by Black Walnut trees) are just a few of the things you’ll hear in this episode. Featured shrub: Stonehe...
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Optimistic Orange | Using the Color Orange in the Garden

November 8, 2025 • 44 mins
The color orange can be associated with cheer, caution, and optimism, to name a few. Learn how incorporating orange in your landscape can add a vibrant element to your palette. Featured shrub: Berry Box pyracomeles.
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What We Learned in 2025

November 1, 2025 • 43 mins
With 2026 around the corner, Rick and Stacey share what 2025 taught them and how to take that knowledge and use it moving forward. Learn about favorite plants, popular show topics, and garden revelations in 2025. West Michigan had a near historic drought this year - hear how plants handled these tough conditions in Stacey’s garden.
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Little Shop of Horticulture

October 25, 2025 • 42 mins
Welcome to the Little Shop of Horticulture! Gardening is a joy, but in honor of the season, we discuss the spooky side of gardening - invasive plants, daunting diseases, and woeful weeds. Learn about the goth garden trend and the perfect plants to use to create your own eerie escape.
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Timing Is Everything! | Timely Garden Tasks and Understanding Plant Growth Rates

October 18, 2025 • 45 mins
A garden is a physical manifestation of the passage of time. We all know plants grow, but how quickly they do depend on a lot of factors. So, in this episode we break down how plant growth rates are determined. We’ll also discuss how timing tasks in the garden will make for happier plants and a happier gardener.
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Working the Land | Work Smarter, Not Harder!

October 11, 2025 • 43 mins
Working the land is directly correlated with being a good steward of the land. Get advice on how you can work your landscape in a way that’s smarter, not harder, for both you and the land.
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It’s on the House! | How to Landscape With You Home Exterior Colors

October 4, 2025 • 46 mins
When adding a plant or designing your landscape, there’s a lot to consider! One of the most important but overlooked considerations is the color of your home’s exterior. Get tips and tricks for choosing a garden color scheme based on your house colors. Featured shrub: Blue Kazoo spirea.
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Pumpkins, Squash, and Gourds | Fall Favorites Explained

September 27, 2025 • 44 mins
So, a pumpkin is a squash, which is a type of gourd, but not all gourds are pumpkins, and not all squash are pumpkins. Wait…what? Don’t worry, we’ll explain in this episode. Learn all about these fall favorites with tips for growing, storing, and incorporating them into your fall décor. Featured shrub: Kodiak Spiced diervilla.
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What to Plant Now to Enhance Your Winter Garden

September 20, 2025 • 44 mins
Winter can be a drag, but having winter interest in the garden can really brighten up a gardener’s mood. We all appreciate winter interest in the garden, but often, we forget to plan for it. Hear some timely advice on what you can plant in fall to make your winter more enjoyable.
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Landscape Designers’ Favorite Plants

September 13, 2025 • 43 mins
Landscape designers can have a hefty list of features they require in a plant for it to be used in their projects. Durability, reliability, low-maintenance, structural, and most importantly, they have to be beautiful! Discover the plants that landscape designers love to use and why they love to use them.
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Garden Backdrops

September 6, 2025 • 43 mins
Description: Whether it be wood, metal, or a living fence, garden backdrops are essential to creating depth and structure in the garden. Get design tips, creative ideas, and of course, plant suggestions for creating backdrops throughout the garden. Featured shrub: Laced Up elderberry.
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Now the Fun Begins! Dreaming and Scheming Future Garden Plans

August 30, 2025 • 43 mins
Summer is winding down, cool mornings are rolling in, and now is the time to dream and scheme plans for your garden. Rick and Stacey discuss design ideas, garden tasks, and ways to prepare for your fall to-do list. Feature shrub: Kodiak Red 2.0 diervilla. 
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The Beauty of Green in the Garden

August 23, 2025 • 44 mins
Using green in the garden feels a bit like a no brainer, but when it’s done intentionally, the difference in outcome is clear. Learn about plants with unique green foliage and flowers, and how you can incorporate them in your garden. Featured shrub: Invincibelle Sublime smooth hydrangea.
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