It is surely no surprise that Mississippi chose its state flower, the Magnolia Southern Grandiflora, for its new state flag.

White flowers provide a sparkle of light in a shade garden. They can brighten the darkest corners.

Having survived June and July, more than a handful of dedicated gardeners are ready to throw in their holey, smelly gardening gloves by August’s arrival.

At the busy intersection of 13th Street and Quintard Avenue, drivers and passengers are treated to an extraordinary sight: the garden of Temple Beth El, the home of Anniston’s Jewish congregation.

On Anniston’s west side stands a cherished Episcopal house of worship built by a native son, John Ward Noble, as a gift to the city. This magnificent building, the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, sits on four acres. The grounds contain lush green spaces populated by towering trees. The…

The grounds surrounding Grace Episcopal Church in Anniston are as lovely as the building itself. A glorious dogwood frames the front of the church. A crepe myrtle reaches almost to the top of the bell tower. Close to 10th Street and a stone’s throw from the hospital are two ginkgo trees. In …

We are currently appreciating the joy of springtime. Every year the color seems to be more flamboyant as our gardens come alive after a long sleep.

Two years ago on March 19, the city of Jacksonville got caught up in a big storm as monster tornadoes ravaged our neighborhoods, destroying homes and shaking our sense of security. We survived through the strength of our community.

Unique houses of worship and the incomparable gardens that surround them improve the heart and soul of an area. Regardless of the belief systems of the congregants or the size of the membership roster, these sacred gardens are a gift to those who take the time to savor nature’s glory.

As in all towns, there are beautiful houses of worship in our area. We are fortunate to have many with distinguished histories as well. Each has some distinct feature that makes it admired.

February, the month of valentines, chocolate hearts and flowers, is here. The traditional colors of pink and red for this Hallmark moment appear in stores like magic once the Christmas trees disappear.

It is January and New Year’s resolutions are flying off the shelves — plans to lose dozens of pounds, join a gym, eat healthier.

The marathon race to purchase the perfect gift is in full swing. My inbox is overloaded with “holiday bargains.” The mailman drops off about a dozen catalogs a week. The conservationist in me says “stop the madness” as I think of the trees being decimated to interest me in buying one more th…

Alabamans have been busy observing the state’s bicentennial — 200 years since Alabama declared statehood — with parades, exhibits and programs. Over these two centuries, we have seen turmoil and we have seen calm, and we sing “Sweet Home Alabama.”

I can remember my groovy house in the early 1970s. Orange shag carpet, orange plaid curtains, orange striped chairs, orange wallpaper. I even had an orange suit.

Some years, summer never seems to leave; other years winter’s cold arrives during fall, and true fall becomes the overlooked middle child.

McClellan, once the site of Fort McClellan, is home to lush green spaces and thick forests. Where there were once tanks, guns and soldiers in uniform, there are now medical clinics, senior citizens’ homes, upscale neighborhoods and a gymnasium.

HEFLIN — If it grows out of the dirt in Cleburne County, Melanie Taylor Spaulding knows about it or wants to know about it.

Over the past months we have been exploring the color wheel to get our creative juices flowing. We are creating the perfect landscape using the tool of the color wheel to help the gardener (or the artist) design with color.

In recent months, The Southern Gardener has been exploring the enormous role of color on our cultures, our personal lives and especially our gardens.

We can use the color purple in foliage and flowers. Either way, we add a touch of drama to our gardens.

Adding color is an engaging experience as the gardener plays with contrasting and harmonious hues (and everything in between).

It was a Monday afternoon. Anja McCastle was putting the finishing touches on a yearlong remodel of her Jacksonville home. She had done much of the work herself.

Spring is a dress rehearsal for summer.

It seems like yesterday and also like decades ago that my husband, the dog, and I huddled in a tiny closet with cell phone, bike helmets (except for the dog) while a war raged around my home of 48 years. There is no way to describe the terror of the hour once my cell phone jangled “take cove…