Plants That Mark Time

In this episode of Hort Culture, Alexis, Brett, and Ray dive into a heartfelt and often hilarious conversation about how plants intertwine with memory, grief, celebration, and personal identity. What begins with snack talk and Brett’s possum joke evolves into a rich discussion about the power of plants to mark life’s most meaningful moments—from memorial trees and generational houseplants to the sensory triggers tied to loved ones and childhood.

The crew shares stories of plants passed down through families, the emotion of planting in memory of someone, and the surprising ways a smell, flower, or species can evoke someone’s presence. They explore the symbolism of trees and flowers associated with different people in their lives, including themselves—Alexis as a witch hazel, Ray as a serviceberry or hemlock, and Brett as an atlas blue cedar or beech.

This episode is a tribute to how deeply rooted plants are in who we are and how we remember. If you’ve ever gifted a plant, inherited one, or found comfort in tending to one, this one’s for you.

Topics covered:

• The humor and chaos of recording a podcast about plants
• Memorial and celebration plants
• Generational plants and heirloom species
• Sensory memory and plant associations
• The hosts’ personal "plant alter egos"

Quote of the Episode:
“We come from snacks and to snacks we shall return.”

Questions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: [email protected]

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