The Garden Mixer: A Gardening Podcast · July 31, 2026 · 20 min

Barrel Aged: Botanical Names- Why Do Gardeners Use Them

Botanical Names: Those complicated, two-part, dead language elements of tongue- torture that every gardener looking for a special plant will face at some point in their horticultural journey. Should you embrace the challenge, and feel vulnerable? Or dismiss the challenge and [possibly still] feel vulnerable? This week on One More Sip of The Garden Mixer, Leslie and Marianne discuss the third option — studying with curiosity, speaking with confidence, and ignoring those who use botanical nomenclature as a weapon in conversation. Bet you can think of a few peeps that fit THAT bill. If you find yourself mumbling botanical names in horticultural circles in the profound hope that no one hears you; or vainly sifting through seven types of ‘wood fern,’ searching for the one you want, it’s time to get resources, get confident, and get communicating better in this discipline that you love! Welcome to a Barrel Aged episode of One MoreSip. One More Sip is our every-other-week deepdive on a single topic — released fresh to paid subscribers, and then, after ayear of fine barrel aging, uncorked for the wider Mixer community. You’re holding the bottle now. Enjoy!! If you’d like to catch these episodes whilethey’re still young — and get all the show notes, the GM Chat, and SubstackLIVE events that go with them — upgrading your free subscription is easy andcosts less than a decent bottle of anything. To those already subscribed: our gratitude isdeep. Thank you for supporting our mission: Gardening Shouldn’t Be Boring. Hit the YouTube subscribe button so we can keep you smilingwhile you hit the mess (your garden) out there. The Garden Mixer Podcast https://episodes.fm/1561064602 Full Show Notes bonus episodes at The Garden Mixer Podcast’sSubstack https://thegardenmixerpodcast.substack.com/ Socials – Pick Your Platform: Follow us on Instagram @thegardenmixer https://www.instagram.com/thegardenmixer/ Indulge us on TikTok @the.garden.mixer https://www.tiktok.com/@the.garden.mixer Spar with us on X @gardenmixerpod https://x.com/gardenmixerpod “FrenchBistro” theme by Adieu Adieu. License D0LZBINY30GGTBBW