Teresa Watkins Receives:

Two 2026 GardenComm Media Awards Silver Laurel Medals of Achievement

Orlando, FL — July 20, 2026 — Teresa Watkins has received two 2026 GardenComm Silver Laurel Medals of Achievement in Speaking & Broadcast presented by GardenComm: Garden Communicators International. The international awards program recognizes individuals and companies that achieve the highest levels of talent and professionalism in garden communications. The 2026 competition drew 146 entries across 43 categories.

Watkins earned the Silver Laurel Medals for Speaking & Broadcast for her radio show, “Better Lawns and Gardens - How to Grow Caladiums” and “Speaking & Broadcast: Radio program: Better Lawns and Gardens - Fall Prep for Winter.”

“The Silver Laurel Medal recipients represent the creativity, skill and professionalism that strengthen garden communications,” said Kathy Jentz, president of GardenComm. “Their work informs, inspires and connects audiences with gardening in meaningful ways, and we are proud to recognize their achievement.”

Since the early 1980s, the GardenComm Media Awards program has recognized outstanding garden-focused work across writing, photography, publishing, digital media, broadcast, podcasting and other communications disciplines.

The 2026 Silver Laurel Medal recipients were announced July 20 during the GardenComm Silver Laurel Media Awards Live Stream. The full list of 2026 winners are available at gardencomm.org/awards/2026-winners. For more information about the awards, contact Chris Sabbarese at info@gardencomm.org.

Teresa Watkins is a landscape designer, horticulturist, and garden author who hosts Better Lawns and Gardens, Florida’s most widely syndicated garden radio show. She broadcasts live every Saturday from 7–9 a.m. EST on WFLA-Orlando, iHeart Radio, on Florida radio stations, with full podcast episodes available on all major platforms. Her show blends Florida‑friendly landscaping, water conservation, sustainable gardening, and monthly how‑to advice, along with interviews, listener Q&A, and her signature “Dirty Word of the Day.

About GardenComm

GardenComm, Garden Communicators International, is an organization of professional communicators in the green and garden industry including book authors, bloggers, staff editors, syndicated columnists, freelance writers, photographers, speakers, landscape designers, television and radio personalities, consultants, publishers, extension service agents and more. No other organization in the industry has as much contact with the buying public as GardenComm members. Learn more at www.gardencomm.org.

Afternoon Tea at King Charles III's home? Brilliant!

One of the exclusive highlights of our 2027 Chelsea Flower Show & Best of English Gardens tour is a memorable afternoon tea at King Charles III's Highgrove gardens, accompanied by an intimate guided visit through his renowned royal gardens. Experience the finest English hospitality, including exceptional dining at a Michelin Guide One-Star restaurant featuring modern British farm-to-table cuisine set within the stunning Elizabethan manor of Gravetye Manor

Discover some of England's most inspiring and celebrated gardens, including the historic Garden Museum, Great Dixter, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Iford Manor, the charming cottage gardens of the Cotswolds, and the world-class RHS Wisley Gardens. This extraordinary journey combines royal elegance, horticultural excellence, and quintessential English charm. https://tinyurl.com/4t9u5e5e

Only a few spots left. Limited space is available for this exclusive garden experience. https://tinyurl.com/y7cemr5r

#ArtInBloomGardenTours #Chelsea2027 #EnglishGardenTour #GardensOfEngland #RoyalGardens #KingCharlesGardens #HighgroveHouse #WilliamRobinson #GravetyeGardens #GardenAdventure #MICHELIN #michelinonestar

Orange Eclectic Garden Inspiration

How inspiring can a private garden tour be? Step inside this stunning West Coast garden, that I've affectionately nicknamed "Orange Eclectic," and discover how bold, vibrant color can transform an ordinary sloped landscape into a breathtaking terraced outdoor retreat. From eye-catching plant combinations, and garden art on the ground and in the air, to creative design details, this garden showcases the power of color to bring energy, personality, and excitement to every corner of the landscape. See all of the Orange Eclectic Garden album on my Facebook page.

Ready for more garden inspiration? Explore the full lineup of Art in Bloom Garden Tours for 2027, featuring extraordinary private gardens, beautiful destinations, and unforgettable experiences. All tours are confirmed, and space is limited, so reserve your spot soon. https://www.artinbloomgardentours.com/2027-garden-tours

September Large Mouth Bass Full Moon

September 26, 2026, 12:49 PM: Full Bass Moon – With over 7,700 lakes, bass fishing is at its peak statewide this month under the bright moon.

Check out each month of my Florida Full Moons here,

Treat Yourself To Afternoon Tea at King Charles III's home, Highgrove.

One of the exclusive highlights of our 2027 Chelsea Flower Show & Best of English Gardens tour is a memorable afternoon tea at King Charles III's Highgrove gardens, accompanied by an intimate guided visit through his renowned royal gardens. Experience the finest English hospitality, including exceptional dining at a Michelin Guide One-Star restaurant featuring modern British farm-to-table cuisine set within the stunning Elizabethan manor of Gravetye.

Discover some of England's most inspiring and celebrated gardens, including the historic Garden Museum, Great Dixter, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Iford Manor Gardens, the charming cottage gardens of the Cotswolds, and the world-class RHS Wisley Gardens. This extraordinary journey combines royal elegance, horticultural excellence, and quintessential English charm. https://tinyurl.com/4t9u5e5e

Only a few spots left. Limited space is available for this exclusive garden experience.

Fyre Wings™ Heuchera Delivers a Burst of Fall Color

Looking for vibrant foliage that shines when summer fades? Fyre Wings™ Heuchera from Terra Nova Nurseries lights up the garden with brilliant red foliage that intensifies as temperatures cool, providing outstanding fall and winter interest in many landscapes.

This compact perennial performs best in part shade, especially in Florida and other warm climates, where protection from intense afternoon sun helps maintain its vivid leaf color. Well-drained, organically enriched soil and consistent moisture will keep plants looking their best.

Beyond its stunning foliage, Fyre Wings™ produces delicate flower stalks that attract pollinators while adding seasonal charm. Whether used in mixed borders, woodland gardens, or decorative containers, this colorful coral bells selection brings months of dramatic color and texture to the landscape.

Garden Tip: Pair Fyre Wings™ with chartreuse, silver, or deep-green foliage plants to create striking autumn combinations that stand out long after many flowering plants have faded are great for container “fillers”.

You will find Fyre Wings™ at your local independent nurseries, box stores, and online at Monrovia, In The Country Garden & Gifts Online Store, and Plant Addicts.

When cities and HOAs grow tired of maintaining landscaped medians, it shows. Crape myrtles, palms, Japanese blueberries, ornamental grasses, and other FDOT-recommended species selected for median plantings are valued for their adaptability and malleability[1], but they still require routine care. While these plants do not need the severe topping often referred to as "crape murder," they do benefit from seasonal pruning in both spring and fall.

Spring pruning should focus on removing crossing branches, limbs that restrict air circulation, and tender new growth that often develops as a result of improper pruning practices. By fall, these vigorous shoots have matured and begun developing into larger branches, requiring additional attention to maintain the plant's natural form.

Those vigorous shoots emerging from the base of a crape myrtle are called suckers. Although they may appear harmless, they can quickly alter the tree's graceful structure and divert energy away from flowering and canopy development. Suckers should be removed as soon as they appear by cutting them as close to their point of origin as possible.

Unfortunately, common maintenance practices often contribute to excessive sucker growth. Repeated injury from string trimmers or mowers around the base of a crape myrtle stimulates the plant to produce even more suckers. For this reason, weed whackers should never be used around the trunks of trees or shrubs. Mechanical damage not only encourages unwanted growth but can also create wounds that invite pests and disease.

For best results, inspect crape myrtles several times during the growing season, especially after pruning, storm damage, or periods of rapid growth. The easiest way to remove suckers is to catch them early. When the shoots are still soft and green, simply rub them off by hand. No tools are necessary, and early removal prevents them from developing into larger branches that require corrective pruning later.

Consistent sucker removal helps maintain the tree's attractive form, improves air circulation within the canopy, and creates a cleaner, more professional appearance. A healthy crape myrtle should showcase its distinctive bark and elegant branching structure, not a thicket of unwanted shoots surrounding its base.

Carefully designed and often expensive median landscapes can quickly become eyesores when routine maintenance is neglected. The lesson for cities, counties, and HOAs is simple: there is no such thing as a "no-maintenance" landscape. Every landscape requires ongoing care to preserve its beauty, safety, and long-term value.

[i] Malleability is the quality of plant material to easily recover after being damaged by vehicles, vandalism or similar causes.  Damaged trees will sprout from roots or stems to quickly restore their ornamental function.  Similarly, trees with high malleability can be more easily managed at a 100 mm or smaller caliper.  Stems are simply removed and replaced by sprouts which take the place of removed stems. Thus, a tree may be managed at a designated caliper diameter for a much longer time than one which cannot be so easily renewed. https://www.fdot.gov/   

Teresa’s note: The species are strong enough to slow down a colliding vehicle from entering the opposite-direction highway but able to give way for safety of humans and vehicles.

Despite living in Florida, the Sunshine State known for its tropical beauty, autumn remains my favorite season. Many people are surprised to learn that even in Florida, we can enjoy beautiful fall foliage that complements all the things we love about the season, from Halloween and Thanksgiving gatherings to pumpkin spice lattes and the cozy aroma of fireplaces and fire pits on crisp evenings. Discover these stunning plants that provide rich autumn colors for your landscapes and holiday containers. Good plants in Zones 7 through 10, all available at local nurseries or through online retailers.

5.  Nandina Heavenly Bamboo – Southern Living Collection.  Different types of nandina provide continuous color changes and unique foliage transitions. From vivid reds, burgundies, and blush pinks to complementary golden lime hues, these nandina plant varieties deliver dynamic color displays, ensuring your garden remains vibrant throughout every season but especially in Fall.  Obsession, vivid, bright red new growth that transitions beautifully to deep green, Flirt, Features deep red foliage with a compact growth habit, making it perfect for small garden spaces, container plantings, or as an eye-catching border.

4. Loropetalum – another fantastic Southern Living collection, with Red Diamond, midsize shrub 4’ – 6’, red blooms, Purple Daydream, dwarf, Purple Diamond, midsize, and Weeping Purple Pixie, 1’ – 2’ dwarf. Purple foliage, pink blooms.

3. Heuchera – Fyre Wing Dragon Collection, Amber, Jet, Rhodonite, Spinet, Hematite, with Foliage colors of Burgandy, Crimson, Wine, Honey and Fire.  Available through Plant Addicts.com

2. Oakleaf Hydrangea – Native flowering shrub, beautiful. Large oak-like leaves turn vivid red and burgundy in Fall.  You can also buy the new special collection from Proven Winners, Gatsby Gal, Gatsby Pink, and Gatsby Moon.  

1. Copperleaf Acalypha – medium to large shrubs, with striking, heart-shaped leaves that range from 4 to 8 inches long and display a variety of colors, including green, copper, crimson, pink, purple, yellow, and variegated patterns ‘Chocolate’ Tiki Island Sunrise, Louisiana Red, Independent nurseries like Quality Green Specialists, Petersons’ Nursery. Zones 9 - 11.

5. Labesia ‘Kura Kura’ – Houseplant of the Year – A rare tropical houseplant with glossy, turtle shell patterned leaves. This slow growing beauty thrives in warm, humid conditions and is ideal for terrariums or greenhouses. Height: 8-24". Container role: Thriller.

4. Hollywood Hibiscus® Rico Suave™ – Tropical Hibiscus One of my favorite landscape hibiscus varieties. Bright lemon yellow flowers with red and burgundy centers attract hummingbirds and provide nonstop summer color. Full sun. Size: 4’ x 5’. Container role: Thriller.

3.Coleus ‘ColorBlaze® El Brighto’ – Annual of the Year  Bold, eye-catching foliage showcases rich red and deep purple centers framed by vivid golden-yellow edges. Exceptionally heat tolerant and low maintenance, this colorful plant thrives in both sunny and shaded garden settings. Container role: Thriller.

2. Heart to Heart® ‘Bottle Rocket’ – Caladium of the Year Striking foliagr features brilliant red veins, creamy white centers, and rich green margins, creating a dramatic display in the garden or indoors. This versatile plant thrives in both sun and shade and also performs beautifully as a bright-light houseplant. Container role: Thriller.

1.  Rockin'® Fuchsia Salvia - Landscape Annual of the Year.  Brilliant fuchsia flowers accented by dramatic black calyces cover these tough, easy-care plants. This unique coloring represents a remarkable breakthrough in salvia breeding. Beloved by hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, it is a must-have addition to any pollinator-friendly landscape. Continuous Bloom, Heat and drought Tolerant, Deadheading not necessary, Drought  Container: Filler, Thriller.

Find out more information on Proven Winners website.

 5. Labesia ‘Kura Kura’ – Houseplant of the Year – A  rare tropical houseplant with glossy, turtle shell patterned leaves. This slow growing beauty thrives in warm, humid conditions and is ideal for terrariums or greenhouses. Height: 8-24". Container role: Thriller.

4. Hollywood Hibiscus® Rico Suave™ – Tropical Hibiscus One of my favorite landscape hibiscus varieties. Bright lemon yellow flowers with red and burgundy centers attract hummingbirds and provide nonstop summer color. Full sun. Size: 4’ x 5’. Container role: Thriller.

3.Coleus ‘ColorBlaze® El Brighto’ – Annual of the Year  Bold, eye-catching foliage showcases rich red and deep purple centers framed by vivid golden-yellow edges. Exceptionally heat tolerant and low maintenance, this colorful plant thrives in both sunny and shaded garden settings. Container role: Thriller.

2. Heart to Heart® ‘Bottle Rocket’ – Caladium of the Year Striking foliagr features brilliant red veins, creamy white centers, and rich green margins, creating a dramatic display in the garden or indoors. This versatile plant thrives in both sun and shade and also performs beautifully as a bright-light houseplant. Container role: Thriller.

1. Rockin'® Fuchsia Salvia - Landscape Annual of the Year.  Brilliant fuchsia flowers accented by dramatic black calyces cover these tough, easy-care plants. This unique coloring represents a remarkable breakthrough in salvia breeding. Beloved by hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, it is a must-have addition to any pollinator-friendly landscape. Continuous Bloom or Rebloomer Heat and Drought Tolerant No deadheading Not Necessary, Drought  Container: Filler, Thriller.

See all the plants at 2027 National Plants & Recipes of the Year