By Eddie Smith, MSU Extension Service It’s summer, and we’re celebrating a historic milestone -- the 250th birthday of the United States of America. As families and friends gather for Fourth of July fireworks, food and lots of fun, consider bringing the patriotic spirit into your garden all year long. Gardens often serve as beautiful backdrops for those special moments in our lives. Using bold shades of red, white and blue flowers is one way to honor our country’s independence. With hundreds...

By Eddie Smith, MSU Extension Service The tiny chapel at the Chapel Garden in Brandon is a place where color, texture and thoughtful design have created a peaceful retreat. (Photo by MSU Extension/Eddie Smith) Sometimes the beauty of a garden draws people in for a visit, while other times the location is already a destination, and the surrounding garden creates the appropriate atmosphere. I recently visited the Chapel Garden in Brandon that invites guests to slow down and take in the...