Brandee Gruener

3 days ago | southernliving.com | Brandee Gruener

We plant our summer gardens with dreams of lush foliage and huge blooms. But some years, things turn out differently despite our best intentions. We neglect the watering and weeding, and then soaring temperatures and long dry spells move in to finish off our favorite flowers. What we really needed was bullet-proof summer blooms that look beautiful no matter how much care and attention they receive.

4 days ago | aol.com | Brandee Gruener

Bright and dark paint colors can attract wasps and mosquitoes, so it’s best to steer clear of vibrant hues and wood tones. Light, neutral colors like beige, white, or khaki may help deter bugs and mimic the choices of beekeepers for good reason. Sky-blue ceilings, rooted in Southern tradition as “haint blue,” are believed to confuse bugs and spirits alike—and may just keep wasps at bay. Porches are a very popular gathering place, and not just for us.

4 days ago | southernliving.com | Brandee Gruener

And it was ranked 7th overall in summer vacation spots across the country. By Brandee GruenerPublished on June 2, 2025 Credit: Visit PCB Key TakeawaysTripadvisor has declared that Panama City Beach is thetop destination in Florida for summer travel. Tripadvisor tracks which travel destinations are trending each year with itsSummer Travel Index. Panama City Beach was followed byKey West in eighth placeand Clearwater in ninth.

6 days ago | southernliving.com | Brandee Gruener

Key Takeaways Lake days, beach days, hikes along the coast: We're packing in all the fun we can this summer. We're also bringing home buckets of sand despite our best efforts. Sand collects in our shoes, the rolls of our pants, our swimsuits, our beach bags and towels, and just about everywhere else. No matter how much we shake out our shoes and clothing, we're bound to carry tiny grains of sand home with us after every outing.

1 week ago | southernliving.com | Brandee Gruener

Key Takeaways Annual sunflowers rise above it all and reach for the sky, attracting bees, birds, and human admirers. Their huge, nodding heads grow best in the back of a border or vegetable garden, where they can soak up plenty of rays without casting too much shade. This is the first thing to know about growing large sunflowers-don't let their charming yellow blooms block the light for other sun-loving plants. But that's not all you should consider when choosing companion plants for sunflowers.