Ornamental Outlook:A Great Source of Information For Both The Novice And Professional

Ornamental Outlook Magazine has great information on new plant varieties, insects to look out for, profiles on major growers, and so much more. Although the magazine is geared for the Southeast United States, it contains information that is beneficial to all plant enthusiasts. The publisher offers other trade magazines as well. Best of all, if you are in the industry, they are free. I have subscribed to them for many years. The advertisers provide wonderful array of products. There is wonderful photography to back up the articles.

Liz Taylor, Tori Spelling and Kathy Griffith all love Gardens.

Celebrities are people just like us, and since gardening is America's number one past time, many movie stars, famous athletes and entertainers find joy in getting their hands in the soil. They love the experience of planting seeds, watching them sprout and starting vegetable gardens.

Recent celebrities digging in the garden include Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott planting an organic vegetable garden on their reality TV show Tory and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood on the Oxygen network. Suzanne Somer's large organic garden was featured on the Kathy Griffith reality show My Life on the D List. Liz Taylor created a top selling fragrance out of the gardenias growing in her garden.

As the weekend approaches, take time to smell the roses, enjoy harvesting some vegetables, or take a walk in a park.

Related Links
www.newsday.com/...garden/inside-celebrity-gardens-1.1385826
www.npr.org/programs/morning/gardenseries/index.html
www.itv.com/Lifestyle/ThisMorning/HomeandGarden/Mygarden123/default.html

Star Fruit, Carambola, Five Fingers.

Tropical Fruit Tip

Have you tried the Star Fruit? In the Tropical Islands is is also known as five fingers. Cut the fruit sideways and you will find out why. There are five points like a star or a hand spread out wide. This fruit is packed with antioxidants and has loads of vitamin c, the same as an orange. Native the China, the scientific name is Carambola. This tropical fruit tree grows anywhere there is no chance of a freeze. Carambola tastes somewhat like a cross between a pineapple and an apple: its a bit mild and tart. It has loads of fiber. Chop it up and add to salads. It blends nicely with a fruit salad, a lettuce salad, even tuna or chicken salad. The sliced fruit floats, add these stars to your punch bowl for a festive occasion!

Go Visit Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Nestled among a native pine land in western Delray Beach, Florida is a gem one must experience first hand. The largest Japanese garden in the Southeast United States has over 200 acres of land. There are two museum buildings, that include a tea house, restaurant with a Delicious reasonably priced menu and wonderful fully stocked gift shop. The grounds are simply spectacular. You get to see the essence of Japan through a selection of native and exotic South Florida landscape trees, bushes and ground covers. There are flowing waters of ponds, waterfalls and fountains. Wonderful reflective sculpture gardens, bridges, pavilions,gates,and paths all blend together to make this place seem a vacation to Japan, only a lot closer. Reiko Nishioka, the Director of Education of Morikami for seventeen years was our tour guide for the day. I have visited the gardens countless times over the years and it always provides the opportunity to heal, rejuvenate and sooth your mind body and spirit. Mr. Hoichi Kurisu designed the gardens with the intention to provide a therapeutic environment. He succeeds in ways that have to be experienced to firsthand.