Karen Bowen

1 day ago | yumasun.com | Karen Bowen

When it is 115 outside and too hot to garden, and your kids or grandkids are complaining that there is nothing to do, pack up your car and head to Scottsdale. You will find a cool oasis called Butterfly Wonderland at 9500 E. Via de Ventura. This is the largest outdoor butterfly pavilion in North America that offers a journey through an Amazon rainforest complete with mist, plants, and exotic butterflies. It is handicap-accessible and has accommodations for autistic visitors.

1 week ago | yumasun.com | Karen Bowen

If you are looking for a medium-sized, evergreen shrub that produces fruit, you might like growing a Barbados cherry, Malpighia emarginata. This interesting plant is also called Acerola or Wild Crepe Myrtle. A second species also called Barbados cherry, Malpighia glabra, is mostly ornamental. It produces very little fruit, but its fruit tastes identical to M. emarginata. Scientists at the University of Florida created the “Florida Sweet” Barbados cherry that is popular with gardeners.

2 weeks ago | yumasun.com | Karen Bowen

Each year on National Flag Day, June 14, we celebrate our flag which symbolizes America’s democracy and our freedoms. Americans are asked to proudly fly their U.S. flag on Flag Day. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day; and in 1949, Congress permanently established June 14 as National Flag Day. This year on June 14, we also celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, which was established on June 14, 1775.

3 weeks ago | yumasun.com | Karen Bowen

Plant invaders are threatening Arizona, but they are not from another galaxy. They are invasive plants which have entered Arizona from other states or countries and are harming our local ecosystems. The good news is that only about 15% of non-native plants are considered invasive. However, according to the USDA, the U.S. spends over $137 billion annually to control and repair damage done by invasive species, both plant and animal.

4 weeks ago | yumasun.com | Karen Bowen

National Garden Week, June 1-7, is a special week for garden clubs to connect with their communities and provide information not only about gardening and its benefits, but also about the benefits of being a garden club member. In this age of cellphone obsessions, social contact has declined significantly. Being a member of a garden club offers people the opportunity to talk with others and share gardening ideas, learn new information about gardening, and just have fun socializing.