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Radio Gardening in the Mid-Atlantic

© Wesley Ford

"Hello, you're on the air with Andre Viette!"

That's the line you hear when your call is taken by the renowned perennial plantsman on his weekly call-in radio program, "In the Garden with Andre Viette". Yes, the co-editor of the American Horticultural Society's Plant Finder is available "to take your gardening questions and comments" and speak with you personally during his syndicated radio program that originates from the Shenandoah Valley.

For three hours every Saturday morning this rapidly growing live radio forum deals with a myriad of questions about plants. The show originates from its home station, WSVA in Harrisonburg, Virginia and is syndicated on 39 stations through out the mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states. The show airs from 8:00 to 11:00 AM EST on most of its affiliate stations.

So your not familiar with Andre Viette, and Mark, his son who sometimes fills his shoes when Andre is on the road? Well, if you tune him in, it doesn't take long to peg him as a devoted gardener- a man who is fortunate enough to have a vocation that is his also his avocation. Andre is truly in love with his chosen field of endeavor- not that he arrived there by accident. His radio commentary is spiced with wonderful childhood memories of working and learning from his dad in the family nursery on Long Island, NY. So is it any wonder that son Mark also has a passion for plants.

Having conceded to the forces of development in New York, the Viettes moved their perennial farm to the wide open spaces of the Shenandoah Valley in 1976. With plenty of elbow room at their Fishersville location, the Viettes now raise perennials on 200 acres with special emphasis on daylilies and iris, two plants the father/son combo share a passion for. In addition, over 3,000 other varieties and cultivars of perennial plants are grown and marketed on the farm. You can visit for more information about the Andre Viette Farm and Nursery.

In addition to being asked to co-edit the Plant Finder with noted author and plantswoman Jacqueline Heriteau, Andre has received numerous awards. Recently, he was recognized by the American Horticultural Society. Earlier in 1999 Andre was awarded the Garden Club of America's Medal of Honor for his outstanding service to horticulture.

Other book collaborative efforts include The Hosta Book by the Timber Press and the Time-Life Complete Gardener Perennial Book in which Andre authored the FAQ chapter.

The copyright of the article Radio Gardening in the Mid-Atlantic in Plants & Trees is owned by Wesley Ford. Permission to republish Radio Gardening in the Mid-Atlantic in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.