I’ve always enjoyed visiting educational gardens across the state, and my recent trip to the Hill Garden in Brandon, Mississippi, was no exception.

Established by the Rankin County Master Gardeners in 1995, this garden is a treasured landmark and one of the oldest Master Gardener projects in Mississippi. It’s a great source of inspiration, offering valuable education and showcasing a variety of plants that flourish in our region.

The Brown-eyed Susans were particularly eye-catching with their bright, daisy-like blooms.

Each flower had vivid yellow petals surrounding a dark brown, dome-shaped center. These cheerful blooms usually appear from late summer to early fall, adding a bold splash of color to both gardens and wild landscapes.

Known for being tough plants, Brown-eyed Susans typically reach 2 to 5 feet tall and spread 1.5 to 2.5 feet wide, forming dense, bushy clumps. Their flowers, though small -- about 1 to 2 inches in diameter -- make an impressive display throughout their blooming season.

Brown-eyed Susans thrive in full sun, needing about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily, although they can tolerate some partial shade.

They prefer well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 7, and they can adapt to a range of soil types, from clay to loam or sandy soils. Incorporating organic matter into the soil helps them thrive even more.

The Orange Cosmos at Hill Garden were also putting on a spectacular show with their vibrant orange, daisy-like blooms.

Their flowers, with a central cluster of disc florets, add both texture and visual interest. They grow 2 to 6 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet. They have a bushy, upright growth pattern supported by slender, branching stems.

Orange Cosmos flowers are 2 to 3 inches in diameter and bloom abundantly throughout late summer and fall. These blooms create a dazzling display that’s hard to miss and that attracts pollinators to the garden.

Like the Brown-eyed Susans, Orange Cosmos thrives in full sun, needing 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. While they can tolerate partial shade, they bloom best in full sun.

Orange Cosmos can grow well in poor to average but well-drained soil. Providing soil that is too rich can result in more leaves but fewer flowers. Avoid heavy clay or overly wet conditions for these plants.

Another plant I enjoyed at Hill Garden was garlic chives, with their small, star-shaped white flowers standing tall on slender stems.

These blooms are visually appealing and edible, too. This makes garlic chives a versatile and practical addition to any garden. With a clump-forming habit, they spread through self-seeding and underground rhizomes, making them easy to propagate and share with fellow gardeners.

Garlic chives prefer full sun but can grow in partial shade. They do best in well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 7. They thrive in a wide range of soils, though slightly rich, loamy soil with added compost or organic matter gives the best results.

If you ever find yourself in Brandon, I highly recommend visiting the Hill Garden at the Rankin County Extension Service office. It is a beautiful place to explore and is an excellent representation of Mississippi’s diverse plant life.