In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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February 4, 2008

Winter interest & Giants football

I was a guest on Farmer Fred Hoffman’s radio show Sunday morning (The KFBK Garden Show, KFBK 1530, is on from 8:30 to 10 a.m., while Get Growing , KSTE 650, follows from 10 a.m. to noon) and each week Hoffman poses a “Garden Grappler” question. The puzzle he presents to listeners is often tied to the weather or current events.

Sunday’s Garden Grappler was to name a plant with winter interest that began with a letter from the word “Giants.” And even though “Giants” has six letters, Hoffman’s contest is open to the first five listeners who get the answer right.

Listeners guessed Gardenia, Ilex, Azalea, Narcissus, Silver Fir. The “T” was never chosen.

I’d add: galanthus (snowflakes), ivy, incense cedar, acanthus, aconite, tulip, toyon, snowberry, sarcococca to the list.

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