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Letter to the editor

Hummingbird heaven is a humdinger

By Times Staff, Wires
Published October 13, 2007

Garden designs, prim or petrifying

Visit www.gardendesign.com to see Garden Design magazine's list of "the way hot 100," the top plants of the year. You'll find everything from familiar annuals to gardening "Dr. Seuss style" - "funky and freaky" plantings (dreadlocks, bed of nails, yellow and maroon eyeballs). You don't have to grow your mother's garden. Lots of other helpful horticultural how-tos are here too.

Sprays scale back insect infestation

Scale insects on camellias, holly, gardenia, magnolia and other broad-leaved evergreens can be controlled with sprays of light horticultural oil, fish oil (Organocide) or Neem oil. For heavy infestations, Orthene or malathion can be used. Always follow label instructions for application rates and treatment intervals, the experts at the Pinellas extension service say.

Squash the typical Halloween decor

Pile pumpkins, gourds and winter squash on a footed glass cake stand, inside a tall hurricane lantern, inside a big glass bowl for a display that will last a couple of weeks in the house. Creamy white Sweet Dumplings, with pale green and yellow stripes, may be a pleasant and sophisticated relief from the bright orange of a jack-o'-lantern.

An unsubtle hint to Canada geese

Yes, Canada geese are majestic birds, but no, they are not always welcome visitors, as anyone knows who has tried to walk around a golf course or pond that the geese have taken over. Instead of chemical deterrents or other lethal methods, consider the three-dimensional Bird-X Coyote, 37 inches long, with an imposing presence and a terrorizing look. This'll scare those creatures back to Moose Jaw! Wile E., here, is $59. The company also makes a floating gator head ($69), said to deter cormorants, geese, ducks, herons and egrets. To see and hear more or order, go to www.bird-x.com.

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 17:06:09]