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A plant has a cluster of yellow and orange flowers.
April 28, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

The last group of native plants I want to highlight during Native Plant Month are those that pollinators can’t resist. Some of my favorites in this group are liatris, coreopsis, gaillardia and gaura.

These plants are beautiful and bring life to my garden through the pollinators they attract. With the right care, they truly thrive.

A collage depicts clusters of tiny purple, white, yellow and red flowers.
April 21, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Next up in my series celebrating April as Native Plant Month are those that thrive in sunny landscapes.

One of my favorites is yarrow, a tough, drought-tolerant perennial that does especially well in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, yarrow is very low maintenance and even thrives in poor, sandy or rocky soils.

Closeup of thick, round succulent leaves that are reddish green.
April 14, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

I often get asked which plants thrive in the shade, so today I want to discuss some native selections that do just that.

During a recent visit to a nursery in New Albany, Mississippi, I came across some unique native plants that are perfect for partially to fully shaded areas. These plants brighten spaces, support pollinators and require minimal maintenance.

One of my favorites is Golden Ragwort, known scientifically as Packera aurea. It is a versatile perennial in the daisy family that provides year-round interest.

Wispy orange and white flowers bloom in clusters on bushes.
April 7, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

April is Native Plant Month, making it the perfect time to celebrate the beauty and importance of native species. Native azalea is one of my favorites, and it is currently putting on a spectacular show.

Throughout this month, I’ll highlight other native plants that thrive in our region.

Close up shot of a lawn mower cutting grass
April 2, 2025 - Filed Under: Turfgrass and Lawn Management

When it comes to taking care of your lawn and garden, there is plenty of advice passed down through generations. While it may seem like sound information, it may not be true. 

Garden plants in various containers on a wooden table
March 31, 2025 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden

Have you ever considered growing your own food, raising chickens, or building a stockpile of preserved goods in your pantry? 

A white flower blooms next to green fruit.
March 31, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

I recently came across a remarkable papaya plant thriving since 2014 inside a greenhouse, and it has now grown into a productive tree.

White flowers grow in a cluster on a branch.
March 24, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Growing citrus in containers has been a rewarding experience for me and some of my friends, and it might be something you should consider for your own landscape.

March 17, 2025 - Filed Under: Community, Landscape Architecture, Smart Landscapes

PICAYUNE, Miss. -- The public is invited to celebrate part of the Mississippi State University Crosby Arboretum’s history during the Strawberries & Cream Festival April 13 in Picayune.

Bright pink flowers bloom against deep purple leaves.
March 17, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Loropetalums have a bold beauty in landscapes that I admire, but I’ve noticed that the traditional, large varieties can sometimes be a bit overwhelming in small garden spaces.

Pink flowers bloom on dark-green foliage.
March 10, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

If you’re looking for plants that are easy to grow, bloom nonstop and attract a flurry of pollinators, let me introduce you to two standout salvias: Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink.

These vibrant, long-blooming beauties not only add stunning color to the garden but also provide essential nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.

Two partially green citrus fruits hang on a tree.
March 7, 2025 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Crops, Commercial Fruit and Nuts, Fruit, Specialty Crop Production, Fruit and Nut Diseases

RAYMOND, Miss. -- A statewide citrus quarantine was issued recently for Mississippi after one of the most serious citrus plant diseases in the world was detected in the state. Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing or HLB, was confirmed earlier this year, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or USDA APHIS. There is no cure for the disease, which is caused by a bacterial infection spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, a gnat-sized insect. Infected trees die within a few years.

A small tree covered with red berries grows outside a building.
March 3, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

I recently saw two grand weeping yaupon hollies growing at a business in Columbia, Mississippi, and was reminded of how useful these trees are in the landscape. Their graceful, cascading branches and finely textured foliage created an elegant presence.

A small, purple flower blooms off a branch.
February 24, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

I am always on the lookout for plants that produce nutritious fruits and berries, and during a recent visit to a local nursery, I was drawn to some goji berry plants.

Green and purple lettuce.
February 21, 2025 - Filed Under: Food, Vegetable Gardens

Did you know lettuce was one of the first vegetables brought to America by Christopher Columbus? What a great fun fact!

A plant with large purple leaves grows in a container.
February 17, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

While it is fun to include seasonal color and exciting annuals, perennials make up the backbone of a landscape. Some are dependable but not eye-catching, while others do it all.

Heuchera, commonly known as Coral Bells or alumroot, is one of my favorite perennials for adding a striking combination of color, texture and year-round interest to the garden.

A cluster of white flowers have red centers.
February 10, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

As we approach Valentine’s Day, you may be searching for the perfect gift for your plant-loving Valentine. I recommend you consider a Bleeding Heart vine celebrated for its beautiful flowers, which perfectly symbolize love and passion.

Rose bush being pruned with pruners
February 4, 2025 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden, Flower Gardens

If you have rose bushes in your landscape, now is the time for pruning! Heavy pruning needs to be done mid-February to mid-March while the plants are still dormant.

A plant has large green leaves with white edges and stripes.
February 3, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Philodendrons are indoor plants that seem to tell their own story with unique colors, textures and shapes. I recently felt inspired by varieties that made me imagine how they could enhance different spaces in my home and garden.

A tree branch is covered by three kinds of grayish-green patches.
January 27, 2025 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Throughout the year, I often receive calls from concerned individuals about gray, fuzzy growths appearing on plants that seem to be causing harm. The culprit that raises the alarm is usually lichen.

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