Garden Writer at Plant Addicts
About Robbin Small
Robbin Small is a Plant Addicts garden writer with nearly 30 years of experience in and around the horticultural industry and hands-on gardening experience across a wide range of climates.
She has gardened in five diverse gardening zones in the United States as well as northeast Scotland and Cornwall in southwest England. Her family settled in the Puget Sound region in the early 2000s, where the mild climate allows for nearly year-round gardening.
Robbin joined the Plant Addicts writing team in 2022, where she combines her horticultural background, teaching experience, and interest in sustainable gardening to help home gardeners choose plants and care for their landscapes more successfully.
Her Approach to Gardening
Robbin approaches gardening with a focus on sustainability, long-term plant performance, and choosing plants that provide value beyond a single season. Her experience across different climates helps inform how she evaluates plant adaptability, water use, seasonal interest, wildlife value, and the practical needs of home gardeners.
Since 2008, Robbin has served as a Washington State University Master Gardener volunteer for her local County Extension, teaching sustainable gardening practices for both edible gardens and ornamental landscapes.
Education and Horticultural Training
Bachelor of Liberal Arts
Focus in German Language and Culture and Northern European Art History
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Certificate in Ornamental Horticulture
The Royal Horticultural Society
Duchy College Rosewarne, Cornwall, UK
WSU Master Gardener
Master Gardener volunteer since 2008
WSU Master Gardener of the Year for Kitsap County, 2011
Hands-On Horticultural Experience
Robbin has spent nearly three decades working in and around horticulture while gardening in a wide range of growing conditions. Her experience includes five gardening zones in the United States as well as gardens in northeast Scotland and Cornwall in southwest England.
Her long-term work as a Washington State University Master Gardener volunteer has included teaching members of her community about sustainable gardening techniques for food crops, ornamental gardens, and home landscapes.
Her background gives her a broad perspective on plant selection, garden design, seasonal performance, water-wise gardening, propagation, native plants, containers, houseplants, and the ways gardening practices can support both people and the environment.
Areas of Expertise
Robbin's work covers sustainable home gardening, plant selection, landscape design, edible gardens, containers, native plants, and propagation.
Favorite Plants
Robbin's list of favorite plants changes with the seasons, but the plants she values most usually provide at least three, and preferably four, seasons of interest. Interesting seedheads, late-season flowers, distinctive bark, colorful foliage, and strong winter silhouettes all help a plant earn a place in her garden.
She also appreciates native plants that support backyard wildlife and tropical houseplants that can spend the summer outdoors on the patio.
Ninebark is a particular favorite because it provides interest throughout much of the year. Its foliage can deliver dramatic color, its flowers attract beneficial pollinators, and mature stems develop peeling, multicolored bark that becomes especially visible after the leaves drop.
Featured Gardening Articles
Robbin writes practical guides covering trees, shrubs, perennials, planting techniques, containers, and seasonal plant care.
Tree Planting
Planting Trees
Practical guidance for planting trees and helping them establish successfully in the landscape.
Watering
Watering Shrubs & Trees
Understanding water needs for newly planted and established woody plants.
Perennials
Planting Poppies
Site preparation and planting guidance for growing poppies successfully.
Perennials
Planting Yarrow
Planting and establishment guidance for this durable, pollinator-friendly perennial.
Container Gardening
Growing African Daisy In Pots
Container growing advice for African daisies, including planting and ongoing care.
More from Robbin: Larkspur Care.