Okay, so I'm biased. I have a son who is autistic and when any group that makes life more fulfilling for those with developmental difficulties has a gardening event, you can bet it'll get top billing from me.

This is the information they sent in with the notice:

The Sunshine Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization and an agency of the United Way. Sunshine has been serving individuals with developmental disabilities in Galveston County since 1953. We currently provide Day-habilitation and Supportive Employment services to adults with developmental disabilities. Because of recent, drastic cuts in government funding for support to individuals with Mental Health and Mental Retardation, fundraising and donations are vital to Sunshine.

All proceeds from our sales go directly to our Client Enrichment Fund, which allows us to take our participants on educational outings in the Houston-Galveston area throughout the year. Our sales include a variety of potted herbs and plants home-grown in our 1,800 square foot greenhouse, as well as beautiful, original ceramic pieces made with lots of love and smiles at Sunshine's ceramics shop.

Before we get to the expanded May calendar, here are some questions from readers:

DEAR BRENDA: I've been trying to get clematis to grow but with no luck. I read in your book that you had one but it died. Have you replaced it? Katie.

DEAR KATIE: No, I haven't replaced it. I tried, but never could get another one going. What I had was a huge white Henryii, the flowers must have measured at least 10 inches across. It was a fluke, I think. In all my years of writing about gardening here, I have seen only one or two clematis growing outside a greenhouse.

Clematis like a cold winter, they like very porous sandy, slightly alkaline soil, mild summers and even rainfall. Here they get almost zero winter, heavy clay, slightly alkaline soil, blasting hot summers with heavy monsoon rains alternating with periods of drought.

Here's what I did that one time. I had a tree in the front yard with a big hole down at the base. I don't know what caused it but it seemed to go down for an eternity. I bought this clematis that I had seen blooming at the old Silver Leaf Nursery. It had grown in and among a lot of other plants (that place was an absolute jungle by the time it closed) so I had miles of stem already.

I threw the root system down the hole. Then I dumped a whole bag of really expensive topsoil down the hole. Don't ask me why. I was young and inexperienced and someone said with clematis you should put their feet in a cool spot and their heads in the sun. I figured this qualified, although all it got was morning sun. But I figured morning sun here is equal to all day sun in England where they grow so profusely.

It actually grew! I wired it to the tree. It grew for five (or maybe it was 10, I forget) years, dying back in winter and coming back in summer. I was so proud of it. Suddenly, one day, I looked out there and I had this HUGE white flower. Talk about excited! It bloomed and bloomed every summer for about five years.

Then the stupid tree died. I'll never forgive that tree. Husband insisted it be taken down because it was right next to the house. He has this thing about termites. I was furious. Needless to say, that was the end of the clematis. I prayed for it to return, but it never did.

Don't waste your time with clematis. We have so many incredible vines that love our heat and humidity and monsoon rains and droughts. In shade, try bleeding heart or hyacinth bean vine or any of the jasmines. In sun try Rangoon creeper, coral vine, passionvines or butterflyvine. Get these started and they'll strut their stuff for years with almost zero care.

DEAR BRENDA: How do you know which insects are doing what to your plants? I see damage but never see any insects. K.P.

DEAR K.P.: You have to get up early. Most insects don't like the hot sun. They do their feeding in the early morning. With your permission, I'll answer this with an excerpt from “The Lazy Gardener's Guide” (page 29):

“Insect Calling Cards: Grasshoppers and caterpillars chew leaves. Aphids, thrips and mites cause leaves to shrivel up, curl and/or yellow. Red spiders curl leaves. Spider mites leave speckled or “bronzed” leaves. Tea scale leaves white specks. Fungi cause white mildew or black sooty mold. Whitefly will billow like powder when an infected stem is shaken. Wilted or curled leaves indicate too much or too little water. Black or brown leaf edges on leaves may be sunburn from too much sun. Long snaky branches mean the plant needs more sun.

“Insect Removal: One of the great mysteries to me is how we cheerfully accept caterpillar destruction on butterflyweed (Monarchs!), but if similar damage appears on other plants, we grab insecticides. How do you know it’s not another butterfly-in-the-making? The vast majority of insects are beneficial, keeping harmful insects in check. Eliminate beneficials, and you create worse insect problems down the line.

“Is the damage killing the plant? Or only making it look temporarily sad? Check leaf undersides early in the morning. Blasting plants with a hard water spray, especially leaf undersides, eliminate many harmful insects. Soap kills all insects. Spray with solution of one tablespoon of Ivory or Palmolive liquid soap in a water-filled, well-cleaned Windex-type spray bottle. (Soap dissolves their protective waxy coatings.)

“BENEFICIAL INSECTS/SOLUTIONS: Many beneficials are available in nurseries. Ladybugs and green lacewings eat aphids, spider mites and lacebugs. Praying mantis come in egg cases that germinate in warm areas. Don’t leave eggs unobserved inside the house! Diatomaceous earth is ground-up, razor-sharp fossils that stops slugs, snails, fleas, ticks and roaches. Bacillus thuringiensis, a fungus, controls bagworms and caterpillars. Apply these, and organic treatments, to problems only. They eliminate beneficial insects too. Ask your nurseryman for other new organic or natural solutions on the market.”

But don't forget the LAZY GARDENER'S MOTTO:

“If a plant has unacceptable levels of insect or disease damage, don't treat! Replace that plant with one that doesn't have unacceptable levels of insect or disease damage in your area.”

Remember too, in wiping out whatever's eating a particular plant, you may also be wiping out nearby beneficial insects which just might be keeping other harmful insects in check. If you have a bad infestation down the line, it could be because you killed out the beneficials that would have stopped it. Make sure the damage is really worth treating.

DEAR BRENDA: I keep hearing about soil pH. Exactly what does that mean and do I need to worry about it? Hal.

DEAR HAL: Boy, what an easy column to write. Again I'm going to just lift the answer right out of my “Guide”:

“Soil pH stands for “potential of hydrogen” or “the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration or, more precisely, of the hydrogen ion activity.” With soil, pH refers to a 0-13 soil alkalinity/acidity scale. 7.0 is neutral. Higher is more alkaline; lower, more acidic. Most plants prefer a neutral soil. Some (notably azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas, magnolias, roses and tomatoes) like a slightly acidic soil. Soil is a complex universe. Man has only explored a small portion of it. If you’re going to mess with individual elements, get professional guidance, or you can make a mess. Compost is the safest route to healthy soil. Good quality compost is the way Nature takes care of soils. As it decomposes, it corrects whatever’s wrong.”

DEAR BRENDA: A neighbor has put in one of those misting insecticides. It comes on automatically and I'm afraid it's going to kill all the butterflies I'm trying to attract with my habitat garden. What can I do. S. Jones

DEAR S. This is a tough one and I get asked it a lot as these systems are becoming more popular. The best thing I can suggest is that you go talk to the neighbor and try to get the nozzles positioned so they are right next to his house and don't in anyway come near your yard. But that's not going to make a lot of difference on a windy day.

Be prepared for him to tell you that it is spraying a “natural,” “safe” or “organic” insecticide. The problem is that it really doesn't matter if an insecticide is organic or manmade. They kill all insects. A butterfly is an insect. So are beneficials like dragonflies.

I suggest if you live in a subdivision with a property owners association, you and all the other neighbors who are trying to attract butterflies go before the board and ask their help in discouraging these systems. Or at least in making homeowners aware of the importance of positioning them so that they do the least damage possible to their neighbors' gardens.

Lacking that, try to get a schedule of when his spray is going to come on. Then wash your plants down as quickly as possible after the spraying.

Good luck!

Finally! Here is an updated garden calendar for May for the Greater Houston/Galveston/Beaumont area. If your group has a May event that is not listed, it's because it was not sent to me in time.

(Send gardening questions and gardening event notices to Brenda at brenda@guidrynews.com.  Gardening event notices must be submitted by the 20th of the preceding month (eg. July events must be submitted by June 20.)

Saturday-Sunday (April 30-May 1): Peckerwood Garden Open Days, 1-5 p.m., 20571 FM 359 in Hempstead, 979-826-3232, www.peckerwoodgarden.com; $5. Open Days are an opportunity for the public to visit Peckerwood Garden for self-guided tours between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Parking is at Yucca Do Nursery. Please contact us or visit our web site for further information.>>

Saturday-Sunday, April 30-May 1: Oleander Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Moody Gardens, One Hope Boulevard in Galveston; free. Birding and Butterfly Habitat Tours, Oleander Sale. International Oleander Society event, www.oleander.org. 

Sunday, May 1: 1:00 - 4:00 pm. - Fort Bend Master Gardeners and the Lone Star Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society presents its annual "Hibiscus Show & Plant Sale" where rare grafted and common hibiscus varieties will be available for sale. Fort Bend County Community Center, 1330 Band Rd., Rosenberg, Tx. (Hwy. 59 at Hwy 36) 281-341-7068 or 281-342-3034 or <http://www.fbmg.com/ or http://www.lonestarahs.org/ 

Sunday, May 1: How to Grow Prize winning Begonias, 2 p.m., Houston Garden Center in Herman Park; free. American Begonia Society Event - No fee. Public welcome. For information call: 713 686-8539

May 3: "Tropical Hibiscus" by Roz and Pat Merritt, 12 noon Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Drive. HCMG sponsored event. Open to public 281-85-5600, http://hcmga.tamu.edu 

May 3: Registration deadline for the May 4-July 27 Harris Master Gardener Class, Wednesdays 9 a.m. –3 p.m., Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Dr.; $150 Information at 713-524-5876, ext 332 or 281-855.5600 or http://urbantaex.tamu.edu/Harris/horticulture.html 

Friday, May 6: Registration deadline for the May 7 "Orchids for Mom" seminar by Dr. Rainer Fink, Orchid Specialist, 11 a.m., Martha's Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass, Navasota, www.marthasbloomers.com; free. Register at 936-870-4044

Friday-Saturday, May 6-7: Spring Extravaganza,” 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Brookwood Community Greenhouses, 1752 FM 1489 in Brookshire, 281-375-2100 or www.brookwoodcommunity.org; free.

Saturday, May 7, "Herbal Soap" by Pam Dozier, 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue; 713-863-8322; $20.00. Learn how to make herbal soap from your garden.

Saturday, May 7: "Art in the Garden" 10:00am to 4:00pm The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920 Tomball, 281 351 8851 or www.arborgate.com; free. Come enjoy strolling through the beautiful gardens at The Arbor Gate while chatting with artisans on hand especially for this event

Saturday, May 7, "Art in the Garden", Visit with Arbor Gate artisan,10am-4pm. The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920 in Tomball, 281 351 8851, www.arborgate.com.  Free.

Saturday, May 7. Sugar Land Garden Club Spring Garden Tour. 10 AM to 5 PM. $8 to visit all 8 gardens or $2 for each individual garden. Visit www.sugarlandgardenclub.org or call 281-565-4658 for the list of garden sites and suggested starting locations.

Saturday, May 7: Butterfly and Hummingbird Landscape and Willows Trail Dedication, 10 a.m., Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, FM 1985; free. Friends of Anahuac Refuge event, 409-267-3337 or www.friendsofanahuacnwr.org. 

Saturday, May 7: Daylily Show and Sale, sale 10 a.m. to sellout, show 1-4:30 p.m., Penney's Court, 1022 Brazos Mall in Lake Jackson; free. Brazosport Daylily Society event, Phone: 281-413-4844.

Sat. May 7, Annual Daylily Flower Show, 1 PM-4 PM Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Garden. 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd. Humble Texas. Info. 281 356 2543. Cypress Creek Daylily Club event.

Saturday, May 7 Hibiscus Society Experts 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and “Silverado Sage” by Rob Trieber, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire, 713-664-4400, www.teasnursery.com; free. 

Saturday (May 7): Backyard Plant and Ceramics Sale, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sunshine Center, Inc., 1726 - 21st Street in Galveston, 409-763-5029 or www.sunshine-; free. Sunshine Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization and an agency of the United Way. Sunshine has been serving individuals with developmental disabilities in Galveston County since 1953. We currently provide Day-habilitation and Supportive Employment services to adults with developmental disabilities. Because of recent, drastic cuts in government funding for support to individuals with Mental Health and Mental Retardation, fundraising and donations are vital to Sunshine. All proceeds from our sales go directly to our Client Enrichment Fund, which allows us to take our participants on educational outings in the Houston-Galveston area throughout the year. Our sales include a variety of potted herbs and plants home-grown in our 1,800 square foot greenhouse, as well as beautiful, original ceramic pieces made with lots of love and smiles at Sunshine's ceramics shop.

Saturday, May 7: Daylily Garden Open House and Tours, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Hope Farms, 18750 F.M. 1484 in Conroe; free. Every weekend through May 28. Make reservations at 936 264 1499.

Saturday, May 7: Bromeliad Sale, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Central Mall, 3100 Highway 365 in Port Arthur; free. Golden Triangle Bromeliad Society event, 409-886-5721 or 713-771-7585.

Monday, May 9: "How to Start a Community or School Garden" by Gary Edmondson, 4:00-6:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; free. Register at 713-880-5540. Information at www.urbanharvest.org.  Learn the basic ingredients for a successful community or school garden, including planning, coordination, finances, and garden design. Gary Edmondson is

Monday (May 9th): Snakes in the Garden by Mike Howlett, 7pm, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hill in Kingwood; free. Lake Houston Gardeners event, 832-368-9870

Wednesday, May 11: Lunch Bunch: Members Auction Highlights, noon to 1 p.m. Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, TX 77338, 281-443-8731; Free. Bring a sack lunch.

Wednesday, May 11: “May Flowers & Herbs” seminar, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Festival Hill, International Festival Institute in Round Top; $60. Register at 979-249-5283

Thursday, May 12, 2005 - Green Thumb Seminars presents "Plant Propagation," by Fort Bend Master Gardeners, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Rd in Rosenberg; free. Green Thumb Seminar, (281) 342-3034; http://www.co.fort-bend.tx.us  OR www.fbmg.com. 

Thursday, May 12: "Companion Plants for Roses" by Donna Hilliard and Diana Norman of Wabash Antiques & Feed. 7:30 pm Hermann Park Garden Center. Free. Houston Rose Society, 713-861-5412 or www.houstonrose.org 

Friday, May 13: Registration deadline for the May 14 "Containers and Hanging Baskets for Summer" seminar by Gay Houston and Karen Weir, B.A. Horticulture, 11 a.m., Martha's Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass, Navasota, www.marthasbloomers.com: free. Register at 936-870-4044

Friday, May 13: “Herbs in the Garden” by Molly Fowler, 10:30 a.m., Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive; free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event, 713-284-1989.

Saturday, May 14, "Garden Pest & Disease Control" by Lucy Harrell, 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue; 713-863-8322; free. Author of " Ladies of the Garden" Learn how to use natural ways to control pest and disease in the garden.

Saturday, May 14: Daylily Sale and Flower show, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. sale, 1-4 p.m . show, Mall of the Mainland, 10,000 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway in Texas City; free. Lone Star Daylily Society event, 281-328-3308.

Saturday, May 14 Spring Beauty Photo Contest WINNERS PHOTO GALLERY SHOW 11 a.m. Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire, 713-664-4400, www.teasnursery.com; free.

<< Saturday (May 14): Home Fruit Growers' Open House for three home fruit orchards in the Santa Fe area. Each site open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. Wide variety of fruit and citrus trees. Visit website for more information: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm.  Galveston County Extension Office event (281-534-3413, ext. 6). Free. 

Saturday, May 14, Palms and Cycads” Michael Morrison, County Agent for Harris County, 10 a.m., Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire, 713-664-4400, www.teasnursery.com; free.

Saturday-Sunday (May 14-15): Peckerwood Garden Open Days, 1-5 p.m., 20571 FM 359 in Hempstead, 979-826-3232, www.peckerwoodgarden.com; $5. Open Days are an opportunity for the public to visit Peckerwood Garden for self-guided tours between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Parking is at Yucca Do Nursery. Please contact us or visit our web site for further information.

May 14 & 15: Plant Sale, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Bromeliad Society, Houston and Cactus & Succulent Society, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway 77024; Free. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 713-681-8433, www.houstonarboretum.org. 

May 14-15: 20th Annual Spring Garden Tour sponsored by the Beaumont Council of Garden Clubs on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15 - 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Advance tickets are $6.00 and $7.00 at door. Tickets may be purchased at Shell Plant Farm, at entrance to tour gardens and Garden Council members. Gardens on tour are: Jean and Hans Sheridan - 4345 Sterling Lane; Judge and Mrs. Howell Cobb - 2511 Long Street; Lourdes Diaz and Dr. Albert Diaz-Saldana - 22 Avenue of the Oaks; Mary Helon and Louis Torres - 3150 Brownstone Place and Beaumont Botanical Gardens, Tyrrell Park. Tour tickets include entry into Warren Loose Conservatory and Council Plant Sale. For more information call 409-866-2910 or 409-892-1137.

Sunday, May 15: Mosaic Stepping Stone Class 1:00pm The Arbor Gate 15635 FM 2920 Tomball 281 351 8851 or www.arborgate.com $35 due at time of registration. Design and construct your own stepping stone using cut glass mosaic pieces.

Sunday, May 15: Daylily Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Payne’s in the Grass Garden, 2137 Melanie Lane in Pearland, 281-485-3821; free.

Sunday, May 15: Daylily Bloom Fest, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Shimek’s Garden, 3122 County Road 237 in Alvin, 281-331-4395 or www.hal-pc.org/~neshimek; free.

MAY 15, 2005: All about Staghorn ferns, Patrick Hudnall, 2:00 PM , Garden Center Herman Park ,1500 Herman Drive , 713-649-3535, free, plants available, Texas Gulf Coast Fern Society.

Monday, May 16: "How to Start a Community or School Garden" by Dr. Bob Randall, 1:00-3:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; free. Register at 713-880-5540. Information at www.urbanharvest.org. Learn the basic ingredients for a successful community or school garden, including planning, coordination, finances, and garden design. Dr. Bob Randall, the director of Urban Harvest, has advised over 150 community gardens over the last 15 years.

May 17: "You Canna if You Wanna" by Dr. Greg Grant, garden writer, lecturer, plant developer at 6:30 pm, Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Free Master Gardener Event. Call 281-855-5600: access http://hcmga.tamu.edu 

Tuesday, May 17: “ Timeless Treasures, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, TX 77338, 281-443-8731; Free.

Wednesday, May 18: "Sell What You Grow at a Green Market" by Ray Sher, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; $30. Register at 713-880-5540. Information at www.urbanharvest.org. Techniques and strategies including selecting vegetables for market, transportation, packaging, pricing, enticing displays, setup, regulations and certifications. Ray Sher is the owner of Westbury Seeds, a garden that grows produce for sale at the Bayou City Farmers' Market.

Wednesday, May 18: Herb Day at Festival Hill luncheon, lecture and garden tour with Madalene Hill and Gwen Barclay, 11 a.m.-2:15 p.m., International Festival Institute in Round Top; $60. Register at 979-249-5283

Thursday, May 19: Grasses, sedges and rushes by Dr. Larry Brown. 7PM, Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway. Native Plant Society event, (713)681-3665. www.npsot.org. 

Thursday, May 19: Registration deadline for two Botanical Arts Workshops by Cynthia Padilla: May 20: “Introduction to Botanical Drawing,” and “Botanical Drawing: Colored Pencil,” both 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, www.cp4.hctx.net/mercer; $65 each. Register at 281-443-8731.

Saturday, May 21 Herbs Society of America - South Texas Unit Experts at Teas, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire, 713-664-4400, www.teasnursery.com; free.

Sunday, May 22: Endangered Species: Beyond the Basics, 10:30 a.m. until noon. Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, TX 77338, 281-443-8731; Free.

May 25: Houston Cactus & Succulent Society presents "Cactus of the Northern Chihuahuan Desert" by Dr. Cathryn A. Hoyt, Executive Director of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, 7:30 PM, Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive. Free. 713-827-8545.

Thursday, May 26: “Less Common Culinary Herbs: Culture and Uses", by Lana Sibs, 7:15 p.m., Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road in Rosenberg; free. Fort Bend Master Gardener event, 281-341-7068 or www.fbmg.com. 

Saturday, May 28, "Herbal Cosmetics" by Pam Dozier, 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue; 713-863-8322; $20.00. Making cosmetics from your herb garden.

Saturday, May 28: Texas Bamboo Societies Bamboo Festival, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, TX 77338, 281-443-8731; Free.

Friday, June 3: Registration deadline for the Master Gardener Class, June 7-July 7, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Park; www.hcmgap2.tamu.edu; $150. Register at 281- 991-8437.

IF YOU ENJOY BRENDA'S COLUMNS, YOU'LL LOVE HER GARDENING BOOKS — available online at www.urbanharvest.com. 

FROM THE LAZY GARDENER •

• “The Lazy Gardener's Guide” — revised and updated! First published 10 years ago, The Guide is described by Brenda as “a gardening book in calendar format … so you don't have to think!” Based on her humorous-yet-informative Houston Chronicle calendar, The Guide details what gardeners should be doing in the garden each month, provides garden designs (using the hardiest plants for our climate) for butterflies, hummingbirds, sun, shade and a variety of other typical suburban situations. Filled with funny and touching anecdotes from decades of covering gardening in the Greater Houston/Galveston area. As the daughter of a BOI, many of these involve Galveston sites and people!

• GARDENING WITH DOGS. Co-authored with Frances Burke Goodman, this little booklet offers tips, landscape plans, good plants for dog-challenged areas and lots of fun insights into why dogs do what they do (and how you might just unknowingly be encouraging “bad” behaviors!)

Look for all these River Bend Company books at your neighborhood nursery this fall or online at www.urbanharvest.com. For a list of potential retail sources, to order by email or to receive an order form, contact River Bend Company at 713-621-3468 or email: RiverBendBook@aol.com.