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There are a few plants that bring both beauty and function to the landscape, and pineapple guava is one of those rare gems that does it all.

During a recent visit to Paul and Donna Ingram’s garden in Vicksburg, Mississippi, I was inspired by how beautifully they’ve showcased this remarkable plant.

White flowers have spiky red centers.
A bush is covered in red and white flowers.
Mark Hill
Mark Hill

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi’s lakes, rivers and streams are some of the best places to cool off, relax and connect with nature. As the days get warmer and more people head to the water, it’s worth remembering that even fun outdoor activities can affect water quality.

Two canoes are paddled down a small, forested stream.

Deciduous plants are those that shed their foliage at the end of the growing season. I recently had the pleasure of seeing the beautiful collection that Warren County Master Gardener Beattie Williams has curated.

While there were several standout selections in her garden, one that immediately caught my eye was Virginia sweetspire. This is a native shrub that offers something beautiful for every season.

White spikes of blooms hang from a green shrub.
A green shrub has clusters of purple blooms.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Expect to see significantly less cotton than usual blooming in Mississippi later this year.

Row crop growers in the state had already indicated scaling back cotton acreage by 30% when they locked in their planting intentions for 2025, anticipating planting about 360,000 acres. That was before consistent rain through much of May -- the crop’s primary planting window in Mississippi -- kept planters out of fields.

Part of a row of cotton plants in their infancy emerging from soil.

PICAYUNE, Miss. -- Photographers from Mississippi and across the globe can display their talent in a photo competition that introduces Bugfest 2025 – BeetleMania! The competition kicks off The Crosby Arboretum’s 23rd annual September celebration of insects and arthropods and their ecological value. This year’s fest will highlight beetles.

A katydid sits inside a swamp sunflower.

Strawberry Green Tea is a refreshing blend that combines earthy, tangy, and sweet flavors you will surely enjoy! I hope you enjoy this final recipe I’ll share with you as The Food Factor comes to a close after nearly 11 years.

A woman holds a glass of strawberry gree tea in a kitchen.
Strawberry Green Tea is a refreshing summertime drink packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients.

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