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Master Gardeners: The Benefits of Gumballs 

November 3, 2025

By Laura Myers  In the fall, sweetgum trees often get a bad rap in Arkansas. Their spiky seed balls—those hard little “gumballs” that cover yards and sidewalks—can be a real headache. But while many homeowners see them as a nuisance, sweetgum trees actually have a lot of overlooked benefits.  For starters, they’re tough trees that thrive in heavy Arkansas clay soils where other trees struggle. They grow fast, provide great shade,

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Master Gardeners: Mallow Hibiscus: A Showstopper in the Garden 

September 28, 2025

Hibiscus loves full sun and moist, well-drained soil, but can also tolerate short periods of drought once established.  By Sherry Davis Few plants are as beautiful as the mallow hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), also known as rose mallow or swamp hibiscus. With dinner-plate-sized blooms that can span up to 12 inches across, this perennial makes an unforgettable statement in any landscape.  The mallow hibiscus blooms from mid-summer through early fall, providing a

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Master Gardeners: The Trials and Joys of Southern Magnolia 

July 25, 2025

The magnificent magnolia, with its large, shiny leaves and gorgeous, citrus-scented blossoms, can be found adorning many regions in the south.  By Sandy Morad When you think of the South, you think of the southern magnolia, that beautiful, stately, evergreen tree. The citrus scent of those magnificent blossoms fills the air in the spring. The trees are beautiful year-round with their big, shiny leaves. Kids love to climb them. Oh, joy!  The other side is

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Master Gardeners: Hardneck Garlic 

July 2, 2025

Garlic – is it an herb, a spice, a root vegetable, or even a flower? Grow it and you’ll get to decide!  By Lynn Janaskie  One of my favorite plants to grow is hardneck garlic. Garlic has been called an herb, a spice, and a root vegetable. The herb part of it is the leaves, while the spices come from the roots, bark, and seeds.  But garlic also has characteristics of being

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Master Gardeners: Garden Appreciation 

May 29, 2025

Hot pink Camellias and Grape Hyacinths are sure to perk up your spring gardens.  By Jodi Tooke How blessed we are as gardeners to witness the renewal of life each year! But how many pause to appreciate its beauty? My friend Diane brought this to my attention in her presentation on ’Perennials’ through our Know It to Grow It program at the Garland County Public Library. Describing beautiful photos of everything that

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Master Gardeners: The 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show “Gardens of Tomorrow” 

April 27, 2025

The Philadelphia Flower Show features a world-class roster of landscape architects, garden designers, horticulturists, and florists, captivating visitors while showcasing the latest gardening trends and innovations. Photos courtesy of the Philadelphia Flower Show.  By Julia MilanoThe annual Philadelphia Flower Show (PFS) is a wonderful highlight of the changing seasons. First held in 1829, the PFS has been a continuing source of inspiration and wonder for gardeners, bringing together the vision

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Master Gardeners: Irrigation for Integrated Pest Management 

April 6, 2025

Irrigation is a strategic tool for preventing pest problems before they start.  By Jessi Parker Irrigation plays a crucial role in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by influencing plant health, soil conditions, and pest populations. Here’s how proper irrigation practices contribute to IPM:  1. Reducing Plant Stress     •   Proper watering ensures plants remain healthy and resilient against pests.     •   Stressed plants (from drought or overwatering) are more susceptible to pests and diseases.  2. Managing

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Master Gardeners Lost and Found: Painswick, England’s last Rococo Garden 

March 4, 2025

Immortalized by artist Thomas Robins, Painswick Rococo Garden’s restoration began in 1988. Photo credit: Annie Blick. Visit the website atwww.rococogarden.org.uk  By Julia Milano Sometimes formal gardens disappear. Time is not kind to gardens that lack gardeners, water, weeding, and upkeep. The demise of historic landscapes is not only a loss of their plantings but of the people who planned, nurtured, and dreamed of them.  Sometimes it takes “garden detectives” to do the research

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Master Gardeners: Smart Irrigation Controllers: A Wise Choice for Homeowners  

February 4, 2025

A smart irrigation controller is a step toward sustainable gardening, saving water, time, and money.  By Jessi Parker Watering wisely is a cornerstone of a healthy, sustainable garden, and smart irrigation controllers are revolutionizing the way homeowners care for their landscapes. These advanced devices can help take the guesswork out of irrigation, offering convenience, efficiency, and potential water savings while ensuring your plants thrive.  Smart irrigation controllers adjust watering schedules based

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Master Gardeners: Fall Cleanup . . . Not So Fast! 

November 4, 2024

Leaves can be raked and piled around the base of trees and shrubs and raked into garden areas, providing native and diverse habitats for pollinators and invertebrates in the winter months.  By Susan Koenig Let’s think about fall cleanup for a minute. It is that time of year again. However, let’s not be too hasty. We spend all summer planning, planting, grooming, and growing native plants and other plants for pollinators,

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Master Gardeners: Elderberry  

October 1, 2024

Elderberries MUST BE COOKED before consuming.  By Ramona Slick Our local native Elder (Sambucus canadensis) is considered a subspecies of the European Black Elder (Sambucus nigra) now classified in the family Adoxaceae which includes several subspecies of Sambucus along with viburnums.  Elders are multi-stemmed woody shrubs growing 8-12 ft. tall and wide. Stems have large piths that become hollow as they mature. Stems live about 5 years., but new shoots arise from

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Master Gardeners: American Beautyberry 

September 3, 2024

Beautyberries have small, lavender-pink, lilac-like flowers in spring, followed by purple or white berries.  by Lin JohnsonThe most asked question at Garvan Woodland Gardens in the fall is, “What is that plant with the purple berries?” The answer is, of course, the American Beautyberry. It is a deciduous shrub noted for its brightly colored, tightly clustered berries that remain on the bush into winter. It is a fast-growing deciduous shrub. Growing

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About the Cover . . .  

“Brady Roseberry”  Featured at the Big Steam & Roots Music Festival Photography by Jay Hiatt  FIRST – Check out the Gallery Walk $250 Gift Card Giveaway on Pg. 4!  Hello, Hot Springs! As we lean into the autumn equinox, we’re celebrating with a burst of blues, hometown pride, and one seriously striking cover.  This month features

The Carework Project: Reckoning with Love, Labor, and the Living World  

By Jennifer Case  By Erin Wood  The Carework Project: Reckoning with Love, Labor, and the Living World is the third book by Conway resident and University of Central Arkansas creative writing professor Jennifer Case, released last month from Trinity University Press.   Combining elements of memoir, collage, interview, research, and cultural reflection, The Carework Project probes what care

Yoga: Benefits of Tree Pose 

Can you find this mural in downtown Hot Springs? Text a selfie in front of it to receive a free drop-in at The Yoga Place for any class in September. 501-651-0545. Photo by Missy Conry.  By Missy Conry & Melissa Stevens In yoga, balance is about more than simply standing on one

Fall Fashions Include Back-To-School Choices

The transition into autumn signals the busy back-to-school shopping season. As autumn approaches, style is taking a richer turn, and The Velvet Attic Boutique is bringing the season’s changing look to downtown Hot Springs. Their curated autumn lineup mixes seasonal colors, balances rich textures and versatile layers, and features transition-ready