Plant Connection: A Plant Podcast to Reconnect You With Nature, One Plant At A Time

Pecan pie, praline, pecan brittle. It’s hard to imagine a time when pecans weren’t a beloved staple, particularly in the American South. But pecans are one of the most recently domesticated food plants. In today’s episode of Plant Connection, I dig into the surprising history of the pecan tree - an unassuming native plant that quietly propagated across America. We begin in the mid-1800s with a man...

With its flexible yet tough shoots, arrowwood (or Viburnum dentatum) was the perfect plant for making arrow shafts. But that’s not all. The Cherokee and other tribes made use of arrowwood for both survival and medicinal purposes, and that’s why I wanted to look into its history in this episode of Plant Connection. And the story of arrowwood doesn’t end in the past. With over a hundred species, som...

Most of us know blueberries as the sweet “superfood” we toss into smoothies or onto our pancakes. But the story of the blueberry runs much deeper, touching myth, history, survival, and children’s literature. In this episode, I take you into the world of the wild blueberry (or Vaccinium angustifolium if we want to get technical) - a low bush plant that carries a rich legacy. From Robert McCloskey’s...

What comes to mind when you think of the hawthorn? Maybe it’s a positive memory of one in your garden sharing its beauty all year round - or maybe it’s the sharp sting of a thorn! In this episode, we explore why the many varieties of hawthorn have captured human imagination for centuries, and why it continues to offer protection and wonder to those who know where to look for it. Hawthorn is a smal...

Some plants quietly impact the world around us - the natural world and the people living in it, offering food, meaning, and connection - without demanding much attention… The serviceberry is one of them. In this episode, I explore the deep-rooted beauty of this humble plant and what it has to offer. The serviceberry, also known as juneberry (amongst a few other names), is a lesser-known member of...

For centuries, people have turned to nature for healing, reflection, and renewal. And the dogwood tree is one of those plants that have offered this sense of healing. This week, I explore the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) - a tree that marks the arrival of spring with its delicate white blooms. From its role in the Charlottesville Dogwood Vietnam Memorial to its surprising historical uses, th...

The sugar maple is more than just a tree - it’s a symbol of community, resilience, and the gifts nature offers us. And that’s why in this first episode of Plant Connection, I’ve decided to explore the deep relationship between humans and this iconic tree. The sugar maple has long been cherished for its wonderful colors and its role in producing maple syrup. But beyond its beauty and utility, the s...

Do you ever feel stressed, stretched thin, and in need of a break from it all? You’re not alone. Welcome to Plant Connection. If you’re looking to reconnect with the world and find balance in the chaos, this podcast is for you. I’m your host, Lisa Cutshaw, a landscape architect and erstwhile plant ecologist – nature lover, farmer, hiker, seeker – and if you’re interested in exploring ways to deepe...