Don"t let mosquitoes and other insects bug you this summer. By incorporating certain insect-repellent plants in your landscape, you"ll be able to keep the bugs at bay without the use of chemicals.

Here"s a look at a few natural insect repellents you"ll likely find at your local nursery or garden center: Catnip (Nepeta cataria) Not just for felines, this herb has been found to be 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET, the chemical found in most common commercial mosquito and bug repellents.

It"s much friendlier as well. DEET was developed by the United States Army during World War II. While it is an effective insect repellent, studies conducted at Duke University Medical Center indicate that the chemical may cause brain-cell death and trigger behavioral changes after frequent or prolonged use. Catnip thrives in a sunny spot with well-drained soil - the same kind of soil you"ve probably got surrounding your deck or patio.

A perennial herb, catnip produces masses of gray-green foliage some people describe as "hairy." It"s not a profuse bloomer, but its soft blue flowers are a welcome spot of color. Marigolds Though many contemporary gardeners have sworn off this once-popular flower, the plant your mother probably grew en masse deserves a second look - and sniff.

One good whiff of a marigold, and there"s no doubt it"s not the best-smelling fragrance in the world. As strange as it may smell to you, the scent is even more unpleasant for insects, particularly mosquitoes.

That"s why this tried-and-true garden gem is great for planting around decks, patios and porches and incorporating in garden beds. It"s also good in the veggie garden where it repels insects that attack produce and beneficial insects. Whether you choose Mexican marigolds (tagetes erectus) with their pincushion flowerheads or the dainty French marigolds (Tagetes patula), these flowers are easily grown from seed and are a perfect plant for a child"s first garden experience.

Other marigolds you might want to try include: Signet marigolds (tagetes tenuifolia): lacy, lemon-scented foliage and edible flowers with a spicy tarragon flavor Tangerine scented marigold (tagetes lemonii): a Southwestern variety with leaves that smell like lemon and mint Spanish tarragon (tagetes lucida): anise-flavored with simple flowers Irish lace (tagetes filifolia): tiny white flowers and lacy leaves.

Grow them in a sunny spot and you"ll have a summer full of bright orange, red and yellow blossoms - and fewer insects. Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) Marigolds may not have the most pleasing of fragrances, but lemon thyme certainly does.

This oh-so-touchable herb emits a wonderful lemon fragrance when brushed with the hand. But as tantalizing as the scent is to humans, its smell is far from pleasing for those back-yard buzzers that plague summer evenings. Though it looks like English thyme and is grown in the same manner, its common name is all it has in common with its better-known culinary cousin.

With its wonderful lemon flavor, it can be used in any recipe calling for lemon juice, lemon zest or other lemon flavoring. An evergreen perennial, lemon thyme is hardy in zones 4-11 and prefers full sun. It doesn"t require a lot of water and can grow like a weed, which means you"ll never run out. It"s glossy green foliage can even been sheared to form an English knot garden - which makes it perfect for formal gardens as well.

Whether planted as a hedge behind other flowers, interspersed in a bed or border or used in pots on a deck or window sill, lemon thyme is a must-have for any garden. Lemon basil (Ocimum basilicum) This tender, aromatic annual is covered with small flowers and offers up a wonderful lemony fragrance. But don"t let the name fool you. Unlike the herb lemon thyme, lemon basil has some finicky water requirements.

It must be watered regularly, but not overwatered. Though it is an annual, it will self-sow freely. As it is easy to grow from seed, it"s often included in the vegetable garden where some growers say it not only improves the taste of tomatoes but deters white flies as well. Given those qualities, consider under-planting your patio tomatoes with lemon basil.

Just think: better tasting tomatoes, fewer bugs and a pretty pot to boot! In your voice Read reactions to this story Newest first Oldest first Add your comment (max maxchars characters) You must be logged in to leave a comment.

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According to USA Today, "S. Darko" starts filming tomorrow, and one of the few actors returning from the original is Daveigh Chase. In the first film, she played Donnie's little sister, Samantha, who is the focus of the sequel. Darko" devotees who remember Chase as an adorable tiny dancer in the Sparkle Motion troupe will be shocked to see that she's about 7 feet tall now.

To prepare for Daveigh the giantess, I suggest watching DVDs of HBO's "Big Love," in which she plays the wickedly manipulative Rhonda Volmer. Match made in mess-ville I always thought Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty would be the perfect couple, and by "perfect," I mean, mutually scary, smelly and scabby. Anyway, the lovely duo shared some crack-flavored kisses at a party Tuesday thrown by Winolicious. I can just picture the merry musicians as marrieds, enjoying a spot of tea while conversing about the news of the day.

By a spot of tea, I mean lukewarm water with dirt, soap and Wild Turkey in it, which was prepared by Amy's cat after it mistook Pete's bucket o' White Russians spiked with Robitussin for mere milk. Smells like Josh Hartnett Giorgio Armani has chosen handsome Josh Hartnett to front his latest fragrance, Emporio Armani Diamonds for Men.

Armani seriously buttered up the screen babe in his promotional comments, saying: "Both on and off screen he has a charm and charisma that is magnetic. His individuality, allure and nonchalant way of being are all qualities which inspired me in the creation of this new fragrance." The scent will be available worldwide starting in August. Bush-whack Columnist Cindy Adams has seen the script for Oliver Stone's controversial upcoming Dubya biopic, "W."

Here are some of her observations: "Flashbacks have college-boy W. Poppy.' Bush Sr. Jeb, castigating George, asking if he's 'knocked up' a girl named Susie, complaining, 'You never kept your word once. You deeply disappoint me.' Juicy! Josh Brolin is playing the Prez, Elizabeth Banks stars as Laura, James Cromwell is Bush Sr. Ellen Burstyn is Barbara Bush.

W." is Stone's first screen stab at a president who's currently in office. Quote of the Day "I call my GPS System Vera. She sounds like an elderly British woman."

Singer-songwriter STEPHIN MERRITT, 42, in Interview magazine Birthdays Director Dennis Hopper, 72 Singers, musicians Pervis Jackson, 70 The Spinners Taj Mahal, 66 Jesse Winchester, 64 George Johnson, 55 The Brothers Johnson Enya, 47 Trent Reznor, 43 Nine Inch Nails Jordan Knight, 38 New Kids on the Block Kandi Burruss, 32 Xscape Actors, talk show hosts Bill Paxton, 53 Bob Saget, 52 Craig Ferguson, 46 Hill Harper, 42 Sendhil Ramamurthy, 34 Reach Tamara at tikenberg courier-journal.com or (502) 582-4174. Read her blog at www.courier-journal.com tamara.

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As a space fragrance brand, Greenleafâ s superior expertise in fragrance, colour, wax, product formulations and packaging differentiates them from other lines in this industry. Lifestyle brings on new brands within its different departments in order to offer a plethora of choices to our customers.

By introducing high-end fragrance brand Greenleaf from the US, we have added another name to the existing global brands within Lifestyle. Greenleafâ s fragrance offerings vary from the simple warmth of Cinnamon to more complex fine fragrances like Flurries, Blushing Tulips, or Classic Linen and even Sea Spray. To add to these are all-time favorite Vanilla, sensational Jasmine and refreshing Citrus Verbena.

By specifically formulating each fragrance, Greenleaf products guarantee consistency in fragrance and quality across all its product lines which include candles, potpourri and others. Its artistic packaging makes the product ideal for gifts.

If you are an eternal gift giving person, check out Greenleafâ s Candle Cube Votives.

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The purposeful clashing of manly and womanly smells probably can be traced to Thierry Mugler's Angel, says Luca Turin, a scholar in olfactory science. It was a 5 o'clock shadow and chest hair on a floral with a touch of vanilla," Turin says.

Turin and Tania Sanchez, a perfume collector and reviewer, reviewed more than 1,500 perfumes and colognes for their "Perfumes: The Guide" (Viking, 2008). Florals never really go away. Turin, meanwhile, says the interest in fresh, woody, transparent florals started in the niche fragrance market - mostly small producers - and has now gone mainstream. Fresh and woody, that's a hippie scent," Sanchez adds.

It's for people who say they want to be conscious of the earth." Here's a sampling of what's new this season: Women: -Very Irresistible Givenchy Summer Cocktail. This scent, with notes of star anise and crushed mint leaf, is intended for sun-drenched skin. There's a companion men's fragrance with a signature accord of "fresh attitude." Hanae Mori Butterfly Eau Fraiche.

This is Hanae Mori's lightest formula thanks to the citrus scents of tangerine and grapefruit that have been added to the traditional berry and woody notes. Ralph Lauren Romance Eau Fraiche. Eau Fraiche is a limited edition intended for summertime getaways. It's a tweak to the original Romance with notes of lotus flower, guava and waterlily.

Dreaming by Tommy Hilfiger. Dreams are a product of imagination and creativity, says Hilfiger. The scents he uses to embody that include peach, white flower petals and white woods. Hermes' Un Jardin Apres la Mousson. Kerala, India, is a place where land and sea merge and it serves as the starting point for this floral-spicy concoction intended as a unisex fragrance.

It favours green notes as well as watery ones and cool spices like coriander. Bond No. 9's Andy Warhol Union Square. Instead, the inspiration is Warhol's brightly coloured flower screenprints made at his Union Square studio with green floral notes. Michael Kors' Island Capri. Sold as part of a trio with the reintroduced Island Fiji and Island Hawaii perfumes, Capri uses basil, bergamot, cypress and jasmine blossom to capture casual glamour.

Pure White Linen Light Breeze by Estee Lauder. The focus is on the environment - the Mediterranean seascape - that is recreated with darjeeling tea, citrus, florals and a touch of honey. Vera Wang Bouquet. Wang first made her mark in wedding gowns, and the bride serves as her muse here. Meanwhile, Vera Wang Flower Princess is flirtier with notes of green ivy and orange flower petals. Chloe. The themes of self-assurance, irreverence and elegance are translated into notes of powder, peony, lychee and freesia.

Sheer Stella by Stella McCartney. The fragrance itself is tinted rose, giving a hint to the heady garden inside. There are ethereal floral notes, a bit of pink pepper and an unusual raspberry-infused base scent. Marc Jacobs Basil, Grapefruit and Pear splash scents. The fashion designer matched his new seasonal fragrances to the light old-Hollywood palette of his ready-to-wear collection. CK One Summer. This is a poolside fragrance, according to the company.

The notes of watermelon, cucumber and watermint are supposed to remind you of a playful day of fun in the sun. YSL Paris Springtime Pont des Amours. This season's limited edition scent mimics the vibe at a Parisian bridge known at the "Bridge of Love" in the early morning hours. The notes include rosebuds, full-bloomed rose and lily of the valley.

Aqua Allegoria Figue-Iris by Guerlain. Figue-Iris emphasizes green fruitiness with fig and iris complemented by a powder note. Aqua Allegoria Laurier-Reglisse taps into the spicy sweetness of licorice and the freshness of laurel. Classique Summer Fragrance by Jean Paul Gaultier. The notes feature bright citrus fruits and a bouquet of exotic flowers, including Arabian jasmine.

Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier. Mango, strawberries and steamed apples help provide the fruit while freesia and muguet help with the floral. Alien Eau Luminescente by Thierry Mugler. The Tiara flower, native to Tahiti, is a key note. It's mixed with amber in an effort to create a sunshine scent. Rose Absolue by Yves Rocher. Perfumers blended the scents of Turkish, Bulgarian and Moroccan roses to update the traditional rose accord.

Sarah Jessica Parker's Covet Pure Bloom. Bored with roses or mixed bouquets, Parker picked the royal Indonesian pikake as the floral note at the heart of her new perfume. DKNY Charmingly Delicious. There are two sister scents offered - Red Delicious Charmingly Delicious is full of red fruity notes mixed with vanilla and Be Delicious Charmingly Delicious is dedicated to the apple with a hint of bright citrus and watery dew. Blushing Cherry Blossom by Bath & Body Works. Cherry Blossoms usher in spring with a sweet floral scent while the air is still crisp.

This aims to marry those two things in a bottle with notes including mandarin, melon and jasmine. Harajuku Lovers. Love is cute and frilly; Lil Angel is sassy and sexy; Music is tough with attitude; Baby is girlie and sweet; and G, presumably for Gwen, is the leader of the pack.

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Try Cetaphil with SPF 15. WE'LL FIND IT! Having trouble finding a particular item? We'll try to help you locate it. Because of the volume of mail, we cannot track down every request. Write to us at Buyer's Edge Find It, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, P.O. Box 4689, Atlanta, GA 30302; e-mail buyersedge ajc.com (please include your name, the city you live in and a daytime phone number); or call 404-582-7642.

A: Janine, I found a moisturizer for you at just over $10. Cetaphil makes a good, all-purpose daily facial moisturizer with an SPF 15. It's not a high-dollar sexy product, but it should take care of your basic moisturizing needs. It's fragrance free and comes in a convenient pump bottle. You'll find 4-ounce bottles for $11.79 at Ulta, 3495 Buckhead Loop, Atlanta, 404-266-3559. Q: I have been looking for Hoyt's aftershave for over 20 years.

It is yellow and comes in a small, clear bottle. I used to find it at small, non-chain drugstores downtown. BILL MURPHY, via e-mail A: Bill, you still can find Hoyt's cologne in downtown Atlanta. This fragrance has been around for 100 years-plus, and legend has it that it offers good luck to many, including those who enjoy a bit of gambling. You'll find 5-ounce bottles of Hoyt's for $11.99 at Miller's Rexall Drug, 87 Broad St. S.W.,

Atlanta, 404-523-8481. Q: It's been many years since I've been able to find Johnson paste wax in the yellow tub. I love the smell, which sends me back to my childhood, when my mother used to keep our wood floors sparkling with a lot of elbow grease and Johnson wax. I'd like to use it on my floors if you could find it for me.

BLANCHE KENNEDY, Atlanta A: This old-time favorite is still around, even if it isn't as prevalent as it once was. You'll find 1-pound tubs of SC Johnson paste wax in the original formula for $7.49 at Smith Ace Hardware, 601 College Ave., Decatur, 404-373-3335. Q: I have always used Read Three Bean Salad that comes in a can.

It's sweet and tart and so much easier than making it from scratch. I haven't found it since I've moved to Dunwoody. If you could find this for me, I'd appreciate it very much, and so would my family. NANCY VERDON, Dunwoody A: Made by Seneca foods, Read Three Bean Salad combines green, wax and kidney beans with a dressing that includes sugar and vinegar.

You can pick up 15-ounce cans for $1.39 each at Kroger, 2036 Johnson Ferry Road, Atlanta, 770-455-6799. Q: I found an unusual ice cream recipe that calls for rose petal spread or jam. I want to make it for my sister's bridal shower this spring, but want to practice first. I can't seem to find this product anywhere. Please help so that I can impress my sister with this exotic ice cream for her special event.

KORIE AZADIAN, Atlanta A: What a pretty dessert for a spring shower. There have been a couple of requests lately for rose petal jam. Made in Pakistan, Ahmed brand Rose Petal Spread is available in 17-ounce jars for $2.89 at Cherian International Groceries, 751 DeKalb Industrial Way, Decatur, 404-299-0842. By the way, this Indian market recently moved to larger digs, making for interesting shopping for those looking for a variety of Indian and British staples.

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Lead nurturing, lead scoring and measurement that's easy to adopt. Sampling, big pop posters, and other branding items will be provided, thats not my issue. I am having trouble coming up with an interactive activity (or "in-store event") whereby I can get the sales reps to engage potential customers to playing some sort of fun summer activity IN STORE (perhaps even a game where they win a sample, or other small inexpensive prize).

This would give the rep an opportunity to talk to potential customers about the new summer fragrance, while at the same times engaging in some sort of fun activity with him her. Once again this has to be faily inexpensive event as it will run in at least 45 stores. Any Ideas? Would you like to post a response? Welcome to Know-How Exchange!

This is a collaborative community. We welcome everyone's participation. All you need to do is login. Enter your account info in the box above (top right). Not a member? Not a problem. Register here (it's FREE and EASY).

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