This episode explores how colonial history has affected what we plant and who gets to garden. We also discuss practical gardening tips with an eye to Indigenous knowledge.
Two previously unknown chapters of a 19th century French botanist’s journal offer insights into his fears and ambitions, scientific observations, and discussions of the effects of colonisation.
The colonial era profoundly shaped natural history museums and collections. Herbaria, which are scientists’ main source of plant specimens from around the world, are no exception.
Whether riding on the feathers of birds or evolving on Gondwana, Australia’s plants got here in very different ways
The practice of gardening is deeply tied to colonialism. Here a woman pushes a cart of flowers at her garden centre in Toronto, May 4, 2020.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
The large, iconic leaves of monstera can now be found everywhere in popular culture – from fabric prints and earrings to tattoos and mugs. What makes monstera special and how do you keep one healthy?
Native wildflowers, such as these Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) that bloom early in spring are losing access to sunlight as trees leaf out earlier.
Katja Schulz/Flickr
Many beloved wildflowers bloom in early spring, while trees are still bare and the flowers have access to sunlight. Climate change is throwing trees and wildflowers out of sync.
Bradford pear trees in bloom along a driveway in Sussex County, Del.
Lee Cannon/Flickr
Millions of years before dinosaur footsteps first set tremors through the Earth, this flowering plant family was already thriving – and you can still find them in gardens today.