Then it was off to church camp in Webster County, at Camp Caesar. The folks who run this 4-H facility have worked hard to incorporate some beautiful native gardens into the camp, and the mountain laurel was in full bloom during my week in the mountains. I was reminded of the nature lady who taught me, at that very same camp, about native West Virginia trees. I was so happy to find a sassafras tree in my yard recently - that was one I remember identifying when I was a little camper.

Then it was a jaunt to Alabama for my son's freshman orientation, and I found myself quizzing my son about the native Southern plants (again, lots of crape myrtle and so many varieties of pines). When I finally settled in at home, I needed to answer some of my mail.

Sun exposure

Crystal from Princeton writes: "Could you remind me about how much sun exposure is on the east, west, north and south side. I just moved to a new house and I am planting a new garden. The north side is the shadiest. What about the rest?"

Sometimes when you've gardened for a long time, you forget that everyone was once a beginning gardener. I found this advice for Crystal from the Extension Service of Texas A&M: "Southern exposures have the most intense light. Eastern and western exposures receive about 60 percent of the intensity of southern exposures, while northern exposures receive 20 percent of the intensity of a southern exposure. A southern exposure is the warmest, eastern and western are less warm, and a northern exposure is the cooler."

A good friend who's been gardening as long as I have (or maybe a bit longer) wrote this humorous anecdote about sun exposure:

"A few weeks ago you noted that among recommended tools for gardeners is a compass. You felt that most of us could figure out what direction various portions of our properties were facing. However, our son moved into a new home this spring and asked me for recommendations about what plants to install. The front of the house 'felt' like it faced north, given my limited time visiting at that point. So I suggested shade plants for the front, and continued using that as my frame of reference moving around the house.

"Imagine my surprise when I stopped by in early- to mid-afternoon to see how the plants were faring, and discovered the very hot summer sun beating down on the shade plants along the front of the home. And worse, the sun was going to keep beating down on them until it set. The orientation of the front of the house is northwest at best, probably west northwest. (I still haven't used the recommended compass.) So we had to move plants a quarter turn pretty much around the house. Thought you would appreciate hearing from a direction-challenged reader!"

Roadside trees

Recently, I wrote about the trees blooming along our highways this spring. I had several responses.

Ann Castaldo writes: "Guess I wasn't the only one curious about the beautiful blooming trees along the road (sort of smelled like honeysuckle). I took a branch to the local Extension Office and it's 'black' locust (added to my education that there are several different kinds). Anyway, thought I'd pass it along. We're thinking about relocating some of the saplings from the top of our driveway to near the house. They put on quite a show and smell wonderful. (You just have to remember the seed pods are prolific.)

"Also, after 'existing' in Texas for 13 years and enduring Gulf Coast weather, I can tell you even ice plants (succulent) don't make it in extreme heat. I finally quit trying and went to potted cacti. This is more expensive to start but less trouble once they're established. When it gets too cold you can bring them indoors (a sunny spot in the garage is fine) after debugging (put them in trash bag and spray bag interior with house and garden spray, close bag tightly and leave overnight) and they're good to go in the spring. Plan to start some for our deck and porch since they get really hot in midsummer and you don't have to worry about watering if you're going out of town."

Ashley Orr writes: "I was wondering if the flowering trees mentioned in your last column were catalpa trees (not locusts as mentioned). I noticed many catalpas blooming this year and could identify them by their hanging seed pods." I think there are both out there. I've had my tree books out and I think I've seen both.

I enjoyed this note from Maryann Matheny of Clendenin: "I am so surprised you and your readers do not know about hot-weather Kimberly ferns! I have used them for years on my decks and porch - they are wonderful. Do no confuse them with Boston ferns. They take full sun and heat - it will not hurt them. I water mine with one scoop of Miracle-Gro per gallon of water and mine are huge. Everybody comments that they have never seen ferns like mine. I buy mine every spring at Capitol Market or I noticed Lowe's had them this year. They stay beautiful and green till winter!"

My next trip is to northern Kentucky to do the flowers for our dear niece's wedding. Then, maybe, I'll have time to work in my own yard! My husband will be glad to hand over the reins of the lawn mower and the hose.

Sara Busse is a Charleston resident and Master Gardener. She may be contacted at sjbu...@gmail.com.