Don't forget herbs when planting that special garden that will become your own unique human habitat. Plant a variety of herbs around the perennial shrubs and you'll enjoy a fragrant haven that both soothes and stimulates the senses. ...more

March 22, 2009

My father was a tobacconist and purchased this machine to use in his business. He bought it in England in the 1960s. It measures 4 feet by 1 1/2 feet by 3 1/2 feet and was driven by a diesel engine. It has a brass tag marked "Robert Legg, London. England." I would like to know its history and value. ...more

November 2, 2008

Voodoo lily Most of the year, it sits innocuously among the other shrubs, all pretty green leaves. But come time to bloom, the voodoo lily produces a blood-purple blossom that stinks to high heaven and is pollinated by flies, beetles and other not-so-pretty insects, says Brian Parsons, director of conservation at Ohio's Holden Arboretum. (Thanks to Tish King at www.ruralramblings.com for the very buggy photo.) ...more

October 26, 2008

I know how to get to paradise in this life. It lies atop a hill about 60 miles north of Rome where a gentleman-cardinal built a garden in the 16th century. His architects created it from water and stone, green leaves and vine. But the result is more than the sum of its parts. Villa Lante embodies the humanist ideals of the Italian Renaissance. ...more

October 19, 2008

At 10:22 a.m. on Sept. 13, there was a breeze. And with it came some cool and some crisp. Oh, sure, by noon it was close to 90, but I got my little fix. I felt fall before it was even official. Nine days early! We all whine about not getting enough fall here in Florida, but you can find it if you try. ...more

October 5, 2008

If you like women a little on the trashy side, the Agri-Civic Center was the place to be Saturday afternoon. ...more

September 22, 2008

The Plant City Garden Club presented its June beautification award to Peg and Steve Dobrovic of 579 Country Meadow Road. Their use of a variety of textures, colors, sizes and shapes has turned a modest-sized front yard into a garden delight. ...more

August 13, 2008

The Plant City Garden Club beautification award for May goes to Mark and Vickie Connor of 902 Mahoney St. ...more

June 25, 2008

Somewhere during my formative years my educational growth stumbled. At least in the opinion of some legislatures and political correctiveists. Somehow the concept of evolution not only didn't appear contrary to my religious upbringing it seemed logical and rational. ...more

May 17, 2008

Liriope Hardy little fellas, these plants are my favorites because they can take a variety of conditions, from sun to shade, watered well or hardly at all. ...more

May 7, 2008