Nick Ternes of Botanophilia: Hostas, Shade Gardening, Trees & Plant Hybridizing

This week on Hosta La Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast, Betsy and Mandy welcome Nick Ternes, owner of Botanophilia LLC, hosta hybridizer, nursery owner, garden educator, speaker, and self-described plant geek. Known throughout the gardening world for his deep knowledge of hostas, shade gardening, trees, shrubs, and rare plants, Nick has spent decades helping gardeners create landscapes that are both beautiful and sustainable. In this episode, Nick shares the story behind Botanophilia, his journey from passionate plant collector to respected nursery owner, and what he's learned through years of growing, breeding, and evaluating plants. We discuss hosta hybridizing, selecting the right trees for the landscape, designing gardens that work as complete ecosystems, and why some of the most exciting plants in the garden aren't hostas at all. Whether you're a hosta enthusiast, shade gardener, plant collector, tree lover, or simply looking for inspiration from one of horticulture's most knowledgeable voices, you'll find plenty of practical advice, favorite plants, and fascinating stories in this conversation. Topics include: Hosta hybridizing and breeding Shade garden design Companion plants for hostas Trees and woody plants for northern gardens Rare and unusual plants Running a specialty plant nursery Gardening education and public speaking Building a garden instead of a collection Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at [email protected] and follow Hosta La Vista on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts. This title and description should rank well for searches involving Nick Ternes, Botanophilia, hostas, hosta hybridizer, shade gardening, and trees, while still sounding natural to listeners.