Darlene Underwood is a Mississippi master gardener, national accredited flower show judge and Garden Clubs of Mississippi third vice-president. Reach her at darlene.underwood@att.net.
Springtime is delightful anywhere, but especially on the Coast! Fruit trees are blooming, perennials are popping up and native azaleas are showing fabulous color along the riverbanks, ponds and maybe even in our gardens. What a glorious cacophony of visual beauty! To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. So, let’s get outdoors and […]
What’s a holiday feast without herbs to turbocharge your favorite dishes? Many herbs can be grown indoors during the cooler part of the year here on the Coast, and most can be moved into our gardens once the weather warms up. Herbs not only add flavor to food, but they also make attractive house plants […]
Just when we see most of our garden blooms fading with cooler fall weather, low and behold, native wildflowers put on their spectacular display. Whether planted in flower beds or self-seeded along rural fence lines, vacant lots and drainage ditches, it’s hard not to notice this breathtaking display of fall beauty. The value of this […]
Chrysanthemums are the quintessential flower of fall. Who doesn’t remember the huge mums worn by their high school homecoming court? How about the orange and yellow nursery mums adorning many Coast porches each Halloween? Admittedly, I’ve killed many a potted mum — not intentionally, of course, but from sheer neglect or enthusiasm to keep them […]
Gardening is not as pleasant in the August heat, so during this month, I’m looking for a way to keep myself in a gardening frame of mind. For instance, I’m pondering what I’d like to plant when the sweltering heat subsides, usually mid-October. Early mornings or late afternoons find me walking the perimeter of my […]
“I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree …” Here on the Coast, we enjoy the beauty of majestic live oaks. These mighty trees bend with constant winds sweeping across the Gulf. They have survived hurricanes, tornadoes, construction and commercial development. They have provided shade and respite from our sweltering […]
Now that summer officially has reached the Coast, it’s a forgone conclusion that our gardens are gloriously blooming or struggling with heat, humidity or the inexperience or neglect of human hands. There are many ways to kill a beloved plant and, believe me, I’ve killed my fair share. As a college student craving the solace […]
With the warmer weather and an abundance of flowers blooming, most of us are enjoying getting outside to work in our gardens, stroll the neighborhood or hike in one of the many parks along the Coast. It’s not unusual to spot an unfamiliar plant growing along the trail or popping up unannounced in the flower […]
Spring brings anticipation of new beginnings, new adventures and an almost uncontrollable desire to spend more time outside, whether to enjoy a cup of coffee or entertain family and friends. On the Coast, nurseries and home improvement stores are filled with color, beauty and new plant varieties. If you’re like me, it’s difficult not to […]
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful plants, orchids are prized for their delicate and unusual blooms. Whether they are displayed individually or in groupings, these gorgeous flowers brighten our homes, offices and studios. They often are used in arrangements, bouquets and boutonnieres to make occasions like weddings and school dances even more […]
