Anna Jarvis sent 500 white carnations in honor of her mother to the first formal Mother’s Day service. Over the next few years, Jarvis worked to make Mother’s Day a national holiday and President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in 1914. Carnations became an integral part of this movement, and today are still the most popular flower associated with Mother’s Day.

As the official Mother’s Day flower, carnations symbolize piety, faith, and the timeless beauty of motherhood. In particular, white carnations symbolize pure, unconditional love and remembrance of mothers who have passed away. Over 100 years ago, carnations were chosen because they were the favorite flower of Anna Jarvis’s mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis.

“Its whiteness is to symbolize the truth, purity and broad charity of mother love; its fragrance, her memory and her prayers.” Jarvis explained in a 1927 interview with Parents’ Magazine.

Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) are just one type within the diverse genus Dianthus. Dianthus have always been a favorite among gardeners due to their sweet, spicy scent and beautiful blossoms. The Greek botanist Theophrastus named these plants Dianthos or “divine flower”. This combined the Greek words dios (devine) and anthos (flower).

The Romans brought Dianthus to Europe and England, and from there these plants were eventually brought to the New World. Dianthus can be annuals, biennials and perennials. More than 300 species and hundreds of hybrid varieties exist.

All members of the Dianthus family are referred to as “pinks”, from the Latin word pinct, meaning pinked or scalloped. Dianthus are often called “border carnations,” while Dianthus caryophyllus are the large, traditional florists’ carnations. Dianthus height can vary from two inches to three feet tall, but most garden varieties are 10 to 20 inches tall.

Dianthus flowers have five petals and come in a variety of colors including all shades of white, pink, yellow and red, with a huge variety of flower shapes and markings. Most produce richly fragrant flowers in the spring or summer, sometimes blooming until the first frost. The leaves are often glaucous grey-green or blue-green.

Sweet William, a member of the Dianthus family, have been cultivated for at least 1000 years. It is a biennial but can reseed They were brought over to the American colonies from England very early. They were a staple of English cottage gardens. In addition, they were highly valued for ease of cultivation, vibrant blooms and esteemed for their heavy, clove-like fragrance.

Sweet William was one of Thomas Jefferson’s favorite ornamentals. Jefferson wrote in his garden book that “sweet William began to open” at his childhood home, Shadwell, on April 16, 1767. He later planted them in his famous oval flower beds at Monticello in 1807. This species is often associated with early American Gardens and continues to be cherished for its red, pink, and white blooms

Sweet Williams are tender perennials, but many gardeners treat them like biennials replanting every two years. The single Sweet Williams were commonly cultivated by most households in England for hundreds of years. Double varieties were much rarer, but they did exist as far back as the 16th century.

Dianthus should be planted where they will receive at least 6 hours of full sun each day. Avoid over-watering to reduce root-rotting diseases. Plant Dianthus 12 to 18 inches apart. The crown must be level with the surface of the soil. Dianthus will not tolerate wet soils. In addition, it needs good air circulation and should not be heavily mulched. It is winter hardy to Zone 5.

Dianthuses multiply readily, have a spicy fragrance and make good cut flowers. Furthermore, they are deer resistant. Remove spent blooms on tall varieties, or shear back mounding plants after bloom to encourage rebloom and keep these plants healthy. After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch or two above the soil line.

Dianthus is a very diverse plant and can contribute to garden design in many ways. Dwarf varieties can be used as edging for a border, in containers or in in rock gardens. Medium-to-tall varieties are effective in flower borders, in gardens for cut flowers, and in front of shrubs.

Dianthus is also a culinary flower. Crystallized petals are used for decorating cakes, while fresh petals can be used in salads, pies, and sandwiches. It is important when using dianthus for culinary purposes to remove the petal base, which is quite bitter.

These are a few Dianthus recommended for the valley.

Sweet William, of course. A biennial covered with spicy-smelling, bicolored flowers in late spring. It grows 12 to 18 inches tall. Sweet William’s reseeding behavior can provide new plants year after year.

Allwood Alpinus Group Dianthus are hardy to zones 4-8, 12-20” tall, and come in various color, flowering all summer. Recommended cultivars include ‘Becky Robinson’, ‘Doris’, ’Mars’, and ‘Mrs. Sinkins’.

Cheddar and cottage pinks are perennial forms of Dianthus. Native to Cheddar Gorge, England, they have spicy clove-scented flowers and face upward for maximum color impact. Their foliage is blue-gray or green. Some varieties grow as low as 2 inches, others as tall as 16 inches. The low-growing varieties work well in rock gardens.

‘Firewitch’ is a Dianthus selected as the Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year in 2006. This German cultivar is one of the bluest-foliaged, hardy, longest flowering and most heat tolerant many types of Dianthus. It has single, vibrant magenta-pink blossoms that are nearly fringed on the edges.

Mother’s Day is almost here, now go out and buy mom some flowers! Contact me at the Wood County WVU Extension Office 304-424-1960 or e-mail me at jj.barrett@mail.wvu.edu with questions. Good Luck and until next time, Happy Gardening!

2026 marks Americas 250th Anniversary. Compared to today, colonial gardens were an essential component of survival, located near the house to prevent starvation and treat illness. Gardening meant feeding your family and having a ready supply of medicine. Kitchen gardens were a vital source of daily nutrition.

In many instances, gardening today is a hobby or a way to get fresh, great tasting and nutritious produce from your backyard. It is often a pursuit intended for enjoyment, to reduce stress and provide both exercise and a connection to nature, rather than for survival.

First let me say there were no specific “herb gardens”. Many consider these “kitchen gardens” because they were very practical and served the purpose of providing food, medicine, seasonings, and fragrance. Herbs were mixed in with vegetable plantings. However, pungent herbs were separated from vegetables.

Larger vegetables such as snap or pole beans, sweet corn and pumpkins were grown in the larger, outlying fields. Fruit trees were incorporated into the garden from outside edges to focal points in the center of the garden squares

Most European and colonial gardens developed from Tudor and Medieval gardening styles. Colonial gardens in the United States were quite diverse, drawing influence from early immigrants and their own heritage. Colonists from France, England, the Netherlands and Germany created gardens that reflected traditions from their homeland.

Plants brought to the Colonies included vegetables, herbs, flowers, bulbs, and fruit trees. They were placed in gardens with plants native to the United States, including tobacco, corn and other vegetables, trees, flowering shrubs, vines, and wild flowers.

Corn was a major food source for the colonies and Native Americans. Colonial families grew quite a bit for corn for making corn meal. Native Americans had been using corn ground into meal and flour for years in their cooking and people in the colonies quickly adapted growing this staple food.

A surge in popularity for cornmeal occurred around the American Civil War. Corn was plentiful and cheap, and corn bread and other dishes made from cornmeal were a quick and simple meal.

Gardens differed depending on the colonists’ needs. Garden dimensions were proportional to the size of their family. In rural areas gardens were planted around structures such as buildings, fences, livestock pens, walkways, and surrounding work areas. Most colonists did not place plants around the foundation of the home, his practice emerged later in the Victorian era.

Most colonial gardens were about function and efficiency. Gardens would be laid out in square or rectangular shaped raised-beds framed with tree saplings. This allowed gardeners access to the entire gardening space. Plants were usually in tightly packed rows to save space and walkways were created from soil, gravel, or crushed clamshells, and surrounding each bed.

Hedges or picket fences surrounding the garden to protect plants from animals and damaging wind but some would use wooden fences. A larger, central walkway leading to the focal point in the garden that was usually a well or similar stone feature.

Colonists also took advantage of hills on their property and planted crops such as peas, lettuce, and radishes earlier in the season on southern-facing slopes to take advantage of the warmer soil.

When planting a garden colonists considered things such as sunlight and shade, proximity to water, and honey bees. Most gardeners had beehives very close to the garden to promote pollination and help plants to flourish. Herbs and flowers were also used as ingredients in many perfumes and soaps made in the colonies.

Caring for an herb garden was a vital part of colonial life. Harvesting, drying, and storing properly was important because dried herbs held their essence for less than six months. Planting, wedding, and harvesting were all important aspects of care.

Many cooking and seasoning herbs were grown in colonial gardens. Rosemary, thyme, basil, chives, mint, sage, marjoram, savory, and oregano were tasty and aromatic herbs that were frequently cultivated.

An important use of herbs was for medicine. Horehound was popular for gastric upsets and sassafras was important for dental cleanliness. Cinquefoil, an astringent, was used for night sweats. Coriander was used for gastrointestinal problems and bad breath.

At the time of the Revolutionary War, most colonists with a kitchen garden grew medicinal herbs such hyssop, lavender, comfrey, and fennel, interspersed with vegetables and flowers in their garden. Soldiers at this time would pack a number of herbs that worked best on ailments they normally experienced including chamomile, mint, licorice, yarrow, horsetail, and sage.

Beans, squash and cabbage were popular garden vegetables. Greens were often listed in colonial recipes. These included kale, mustard, Swiss chard, and turnip greens.

Parsnips, carrots and potatoes were grown and often boiled or cooked into stews. Gardens that contained small vegetables such as leaks, onions, garlic, carrots, and cabbage herbs, and flowers were placed near a house door to allow quick and easy access.

There were a variety of flowers and flowering shrubs in the colonial garden including azaleas, sunflowers, hydrangeas, roses, English ivy, clematis, holly, and lilies. Columbine, crocuses, bee balm, grape hyacinth, evening primrose, star-of-bethlehem, and tulips were others grown. Flowers were also used as decorations in homes, churches, taverns, hair, and clothing.

American Founding Father President Thomas Jefferson was an avid gardener. The English pea was his favorite vegetable, and he grew 23 different varieties in his garden at Monticello. Jefferson also documented harvesting lettuce every month of the year and urged gardeners to sow a thimbleful of lettuce seeds every week from early spring to September.

George Washington was also an innovative farmer and gardener. He experimented with improving soil health through crop rotation and composting. Due to market fluctuation and soil nutrient depletion, Washington transitioned Mount Vernon from tobacco production to growing crops such as wheat, peas, and potatoes. In addition, he planted huge vegetable gardens and fruit orchards.

Planting a colonial or kitchen garden will give you a glimpse into the rich history of gardening here in America. A mix of plants and traditions from “Old World” Europe and the “New World” of North America shaped gardening and culture in our great country.

Contact me at the Wood County WVU Extension Office 304-424-1960 or e-mail me at jj.barrett@mail.wvu.edu with questions. Good Luck and until next time, Happy Gardening!

Spring is a time of rebirth when flowers and trees bloom anew and animals bear new young. Spring is an exciting and busy time, and one that people can commemorate in many unique ways. Here are seven ideas to usher in spring this March.

1. Fill a home or business with flowers. Collect some early tulip or daffodil blooms and place them around the house. Offer bouquets of dandelions to children or weave them into flower crowns.

2. Spend time in nature. It’s time to get outside, and there is no better time to do so than the beginning of spring. Soak up the sun and temperate climate, which can be good for your physical and mental well-being.

3. Visit a loved one. Bring some sunshine to an elderly relative by visiting with him or her. Take a stroll outside or sit on a bench and enjoy a picnic.

4. Prepare the garden by cleaning out weeds and tilling the soil. Some early spring preparation ensures everything will be ready when planting time arrives.

5. Prepare an outdoor feast. Whether it’s a picnic or a barbecue, serve up a warm-weather feast with salads, sandwiches and other dishes that are normally served outdoors.

6. Sow some seeds. Encourage each member of your household to pick a favorite plant or flower and sow it in celebration of the first day of spring. It’s possible to make a special spring garden with perennials that will bloom each year.

7. Make spring-related crafts. Colorful wreaths, centerpieces and garlands can bring some of the natural wonders of spring indoors.

There’s no shortage of small projects that can change the look and feel of a home. Many of these undertakings can be achieved with a modest investment.

∫ Front door replacement: A new front door instantly improves curb appeal and can make a home more secure and energy-efficient. Painting the existing front door is an even smaller project that still offers appeal.

∫ Lighting addition: Whether a homeowner enlarges a window or adds skylights, natural light can produce incredible results. Investing in new lighting can feel like expanding a space without pushing out walls.

∫ Kitchen and bath fixture upgrades: Faucets and door pulls are used every day. Swapping existing fixtures for something a little more modern can unify spaces and provide subtle changes that enhance these popular spaces.

∫ Wood floor restoration: Scuffing and scratches can adversely affect the pristine look of a natural wood floor. Homeowners can polish a floor to restore its shine. A professional service will sand down and refinish older floors at a fraction of the cost of a new floor installation.

∫ Exterior lighting: Lighting isn’t just important inside. A welcoming glow in the yard is awe-inspiring. There are many energy-efficient lighting options, including ones that do not need to be hard-wired to the circuitry inside the home.

∫ Staircase renovation: Coordinate the staircase to the style in the home with a decorative carpet runner. A secure runner is attractive and can help reduce slipping down the stairs. Tighten shaky railings or replace them while upgrading the stair treads.

∫ Interior paint: Change the color of walls, doors, cabinets, or even furniture with paint. All homeowners need is a paint color that inspires them and a little bit of time.

∫ Replace outlet covers: Upgrade outlet covers with screwless options. Screwless plates for outlets and light switches can make walls look more sleek.

∫ Entry organizer installation: Banish clutter from the home by catching it at the door. An entry organizer with spaces for shoes, coats, backpacks, and shopping bags can be eye-catching and functional.

∫ Carpets cleaning: Soiled carpets can look drab and dingy. Homeowners can rent carpet-cleaning machines or hire services to revitalize carpets with a deep cleaning.

Bird feeders are particularly important in colder climates and during wintertime when food may be scarce. Keeping birds well fed helps them survive over winter and continue to repopulate in the spring. Bird feeding isn’t all for the birds, either. Ashley Dayer, an associate professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech, argues that feeding birds also is a benefit to humans because it stimulates compassion for the animals.

The type of bird feeder a person places in the yard determines which species may be drawn to the property. The following are various types of feeders to consider.

Suet feeders

Suet cakes are high-energy food sources that attract birds like woodpeckers and nuthatches. They are particularly beneficial in colder months or regions where birds need extra fat for energy. These cage-like feeders snap around the rectangular suet cake and hang from a pole or tree.

Ground feeder

Ground feeders are simple screen-bottomed trays that sit several inches off of the ground or on a deck to help keep seeds and grain from coming in contact with droppings. Ground feeders are a favorite of juncos, sparrows, goldfinches, and cardinals, among others.

Sugar water feeder

These feeders come in different shapes, from tubes to round dishes, and are magnets to hummingbirds. They typically have red coloring to be more attractive to those high-speed flyers.

Nyjer bird feeder

Small birds like goldfinches love to dine on nyjer seeds, which are tiny, black thistle seeds. These feeders are tube-shaped mesh socks designed to hold this specific seed. The small feeding ports prevent seed waste and cater to the small beaks of finches.

Hopper bird feeder

These are the feeders many people think of when they envision bird feeders. Hopper bird feeders hold a large amount of seed and often have a roof or a design that mimics a house or barn. The covered design helps to keep seeds dry and might be the best hanging feeder for people who live in areas with a lot of rain. Hoppers will attract blue jays, grackles, cardinals, and blackbirds.

Tube feeders

Tube feeders will attract an array of birds. They are cylindrical in shape with various ports to enable birds to perch and feed.

Window and smart bird feeders

These types of bird feeders attach to windows to allow homeowners to view the birds up close. Smart varieties have cameras on the feeders that will send a feed via an app to a smart phone or computer. Some even may identify the bird species on the feeder at any given point in time.

Each spring presents an opportunity for homeowners to get back outside and tend to their gardens. As the temperatures rise, homeowners can consider these spring planning pointers to ensure their landscapes look lush and full in the months ahead.

∫ Start with the soil. Soil can serve as the starting point each spring. Winter can take its toll on a garden and even overwhelm the area with debris over the colder months. Clear rocks and other debris from the area before loosening the soil. The Farmer’s Almanac recommends loosening soil to a depth of at least eight inches if planting a new garden. An existing garden may only need to be loosened to a depth of around six inches, after which homeowners can mix compost into the soil in early spring. Compost is organic matter that provides nutrients and helps to build strong plant roots.

∫ Consider a raised garden in colder climates. The Farmer’s Almanac notes raised gardens can help homeowners in colder climates dry out and warm up wet, cold soils more quickly. Homeowners in such regions also can cover their beds with black plastic or cardboard prior to planting. Doing so can protect the beds from late-season snow and spring rains and also helps to overcome erosion.

∫ Take soil temperatures. Unpredictable weather is among the noticeable effects of climate change in recent years. That lack of predictability can make spring planting a little more tricky than it once was. Experts note that soil temperatures around 50 F are best for cool-season crops, while soil should be 60 F or warmer when planting warm-weather plants such as tomatoes.

∫ Work with a garden center to identify what to plant. The right plants for one region may not be ideal for another, so homeowners are urged to work with a local landscaper or garden center before planting. Such a consultation can be especially useful for homeowners planting a new garden. Landscapers and garden center professionals will know which plants work in the local climate.

∫ Consider planting vegetables in the spring. Various garden experts note that spring is an ideal time to plant a vegetable garden. If planted at the right time, a vegetable garden can save homeowners money on their grocery bills and provide a season’s worth of fresh veggies. Lettuce and spinach are sun- and shade-friendly vegetables, which can make them good options for a spring garden. Cool-season root vegetables, which include beets, carrots and swiss chard, are some other notable veggies that can thrive in early spring.

All that time in the kitchen makes these popular rooms to renovate. Homeowners who want to give their kitchens a new look and feel without doing a full renovation can consider kitchen cabinet projects. An understanding of kitchen cabinet projects can help homeowners decide if this undertaking is for them.

∫ Cabinet renovations do not necessarily require replacement. Some cabinets may not need to be removed and replaced. The renovation experts at HGTV note that kitchen cabinet refacing can be a budget-friendly way to give a new look to cabinets that do not require replacement. Refacing can be as extensive as homeowners prefer, but such projects can create a whole new aesthetic in the kitchen depending on the extent of the project.

∫ There are many different types of kitchen cabinets. Homeowners who have never been involved in a cabinet project should know they will have many different options to choose from. Face-frame cabinets are a traditional choice made with a frame around the door and any drawers that might be included as part of the cabinets. Some additional options include full overlay cabinets, frameless cabinets, recessed panel cabinets, and Shaker cabinets. Homeowners hesitant to choose their own cabinets can work with a contractor and/or interior designer to find the option that aligns best with their current kitchen.

∫ Cabinet materials and finishes vary as well. Cabinets can be made from an array of materials, including wood, laminate, metal, and plastic. Cabinets also can be finished with paint, stain, glaze, and lacquer. Each finish has its own unique characteristics. For example, painted cabinets may need to be tended to with greater frequency than other options because paint can fade. However, painted cabinets remain popular because homeowners can paint them any color at any time.

∫ Consider the countertops when adjusting kitchen cabinets. Kitchens tend to have color schemes, and that scheme is often reflected in the color of cabinets and countertops. When tweaking just the cabinets, homeowners should give ample consideration to the overall color scheme of their kitchens. Interior designers can be invaluable resources for homeowners who aren’t quite sure how new or refaced cabinets will fit into an overall color scheme.

∫ Consider replacement if necessary. A kitchen cabinet replacement project will be more expensive than refacing the cabinets. But there are instances when cabinets require replacement. Excessive wear and tear, insufficient storage, a dated appearance, and cabinets that appear to be sagging off the wall are some indicators that replacement is necessary.

Living rooms tend to be go-to spaces for family movie nights, game watches with fellow fans and places to gather during holiday celebrations. That’s a lot of quality time spent in the living room, and those moments can be more enjoyable if the space is as comfortable as possible. With that in mind, people can consider various ways to make living rooms more comfortable.

∫ Prioritize comfort over aesthetics. In an era of Instagram, it’s easy to fall head over heels with images when designing a living room. Aesthetic appeal certainly has its place in a living room, but it’s important to remember how much living will be done in these rooms when designing them. Comfortable couches and furnishings like ottomans can make it easier to relax in the living room whether you’re watching a movie, cheering on your favorite team or reading a book.

∫ Ensure there’s ample seating. It can be hard to feel comfortable in cramped quarters whether you’re welcoming friends and family into your home or simply lounging around on Sunday mornings. If comfort is your top priority, arrange the room so there’s ample seating throughout and people don’t feel like they’re sitting on top of one another when spending time in the room.

∫ Consider neutral paint colors. Furnishings are not the only things that can affect how comfortable people feel in a living room. The home improvement experts at The Spruce note that neutral paint colors with warm undertones help to establish a cozy feel in a living room. Various shades of white, beige, tan, or even gray can help to establish a warm, comfortable vibe in a living room.

∫ Incorporate the outdoors into the room. The great outdoors can have a calming effect on anyone, so it makes sense that incorporating the outdoors into a living room can make the space feel more comfortable. Furnish the room with plants and look for items with earth-toned furnishings to create a calm and comfortable vibe in the space. In addition, new windows that allow for more natural light and offer views into a yard can help lift spirits and make the room feel more comfortable.

Bazaars are found all over the world, but are notable to Middle Eastern and Asian countries. Bazaars are marketplaces that feature several small shops or vendor stalls. In some countries, bazaars are outdoors and covered by tents, while in others they feature several stalls set up in large rooms.

Holiday bazaars often pop up during the holiday season and mimic international marketplaces. They may be hosted by cities or towns, schools or places of worship. Sometimes they are fundraising opportunities, with nonprofit organizations charging a stall- or table-renting fee for bazaar participants. Holiday fairs and bazaars often bring together an array of different retailers, many of whom are small businesses selling interesting wares.

Shoppers should take advantage of every opportunity to visit these holiday bazaars because they will only be around for a short time. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of bazaar shopping for the holidays.

‱ Patronize small businesses. Holiday bazaars often bring together small businesses that may not normally have storefronts. This allows shoppers to meet the individuals behind businesses they already patronize or discover new firms they were previously unacquainted with.

‱ Shop unique wares. Holiday bazaars may showcase items not easily found elsewhere, from handcrafted jewelry to unique soaps to custom woodworking items.

‱ Develop new relationships. Shopping at holiday bazaars enables you to meet and interact with new people. This can expand your social circles and may even expand your professional network.

‱ Enjoy the shopping experience. Shopping away from the bustle of larger, busier retail stores gives you a break from the harried shopping experience many experience during the holiday season. Rather, holiday fairs and bazaars typically are less crowded and engage at a slower pace. Plus, they may have a more homespun decorating design that can have you feeling like you’re shopping in a Christmas village.

‱ Take advantage of food vendors. Food vendors likely will be mixed within the offerings of the holiday bazaar. That gives you opportunity to take the day off from cooking and enjoy some savory and sweet bites while grabbing gifts.

Holiday shopping bazaars are great places to shop for the holidays.