DeSoto Civic Garden Club refreshes Welcome Center planters for summer

Aug, 19, 2025 – Visitors arriving at the Mississippi Welcome Center on southbound I-55 near Hernando are being greeted with a fresh burst of color this summer, thanks to the efforts of the DeSoto Civic Garden Club.

Club members Rusty Todd and Pat Tennant recently refurbished four planters at the entrance of the Welcome Center, planting crotons with the help of a generous donation from Dabney’s Nursery in Memphis.

Crotons, known for their bold foliage, thrive in the summer heat and are vigorous growers. They perform well in part sun but can also withstand intense sunlight. In bright conditions, their wavy yellow leaves shift to shades of orange with a striking red center vein.

The DeSoto Civic Garden Club updates the planters throughout the year to reflect the changing seasons. As late fall and winter approach, members plan to replace the crotons with pansies, ensuring the displays remain vibrant year-round.

The club’s ongoing mission is to stimulate knowledge and love of gardening among its members and the community.

The DeSoto Civic Garden Club is a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., and The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc.