It seems that some things are blooming later than usual this year, probably because the heat stayed so long. Also, although most things are well recovered from last winter's freeze, some - such as the snowbushes and the crotons - will take a while to get back to where they were. I have one that was taller than me but is now only 18 inches. But some plants are doing great. ...more

November 11, 2009

Perennials are the best investment for your garden, coming back year after year, better and more impressive. Here are five slightly unusual perennials that would add a unique personality to your landscape. ...more

January 11, 2009

Forget yellow mums and orange marigolds. Add a touch of fall with container gardens full of fresh color combinations and plants that welcome the cooler air as much as we do. ...more

October 5, 2008

Mini pineapple Is it a fruit or a faux? This itty-bitty pineapple, a member of the bromeliad family, is actually edible, according to Nature's Pride, a Dutch company that imports and distributes exotic fruits. The mini pineapple plant likes filtered light and will grow to about 2 feet tall. Its tiny fruit gets about 4 inches tall, and has a sweet, tender core. ...more

August 14, 2008

Tropical dogwood (Mussaenda) Butterflies and hummingbirds love this small shrub, which produces pretty little star-shaped flowers year-round. To add to the color interest, the leaf on the end of the stem turns white when a future bloom is in the offing. Plant in sun to partial shade. It likes moist, well-drained soil. (Others in the Mussaenda family produce various color blooms and grow to large shrubs or small trees.) ...more

July 31, 2008

Those of us who can dig a hole in sweltering heat are planting for all we're worth these days. ...more

July 17, 2008

One of the oldest forms of painting, with roots in Chinese ink wash painting and calligraphy, is making a comeback in Carrollwood. ...more

June 11, 2008