Home & Garden

All moms receive free admission and the first 250 mothers will receive a free potted plant, each day, courtesy of Rountree Plantation Garden Center. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 12-13. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 704-825-4490; www.dsbg.org.

“Southern Living” magazine recognized local interior designer Barrie Benson as one of five “new tastemakers of the South” in their May issue. Benson tells their “Southern Style” column her signature style for both clothing and design are “clean silhouettes with bold prints.”

Gardeners can be a funny bunch of folks – many have landscape beds full of plants they can pronounce but they shy away from the tongue-twisters. Crocosmia is a good example. A hardy, reliable beauty, it is not typically found in backyard gardens.

Take a cue from some of the most well-decorated hotels and incorporate ‘em into your own little nest. Whether an addition, paint change or simple trick, we’ve got great ideas from some of our favorite hotels. Check out our design tweaks from super-sweet hotels now!

Ornaments alone cannot make a classical garden. But such landscapes are inherently architectural and rely on structure to help give them form. Scale and placement are key, and the character of certain pieces can set a whole mood. Ancient Romans similarly mixed it up: placing the busts of philosophers in certain areas to spark serious conversation, and those of playful demigods to set the mood for pleasure and relaxation. They even had a name for their love of outdoor living: otium.

Q. My fully screened porch exterior is under its yearly attack by carpenter bees. They don’t seem to do anything serious to the unpainted wood porch, except drilling little holes in the wood. How can I thwart them with the least environmental impact?

This plan is a ranch design with a finished lower level. Features on the main floor include a butler’s pantry with wine storage, a mother-in-law suite, and a large deck that connects to the master bedroom.

Joyce Clark Hicks finds the best of everything for your home and garden.

Charlotte Community Garden Tour: Tour Wilmore, Country Club Heights, Central United Methodist, and Winterfield. Free.

These homes were sold in March. Data provided by Carolina Multiple Listing Services Inc.