Well, the past month has certainly been exciting, hasn't it!? We've spent most of it dodging rainstorms and enjoying cooler weather. June looms ahead, and there's still lots to do. We have details in this month's e-gardens. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you'll tell all your friends.

Looking for the perfect Father's Day gift? Neil Sperry's Lone Star Gardening could be the perfect gift. (It's OK to give yourself a gift, too!) Not a revision of his earlier books, but an entirely new format. Not in stores and not on Amazon. Get a personally signed copy of the first printing either from Neil's office at 800-752-4769 or his website.

If you'd like Neil's help with the plants at your place, you’re in the right place. Each month he selects six or eight of greatest reader interest for inclusion in e-gardens. Note: Neil does require a photo for any question that he will use here. Also note that it helps if you let him know where you live. Click here to send Neil your question and photo. Here are his answers to this month's questions.

Neil Sperry's GARDENS magazine features articles about blooming plants, vegetable gardens, landscaping principles and so much more. This month we share a recent magazine article by Mary Wilhite about the legendary passion vine.

Our Native Son's most recent "road trip" took him back to his horticultural roots - to beautiful Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Click to share the remarkable sights Steven Chamblee encountered.

With an eye on the hot, dry months to come, Jenny Wegley of the Dallas Arboretum introduces our readers to a low-growing ornamental pepper that has done well in trials. Click to read her article about 'Maya Mambo'.

Oh, my. We're going to see some big changes as it dries out and gets warmer. We have all the details of things you can plant, what needs to be fed or trimmed, and pests that are likely to stop by for a visit. Click here for your details. (Photo is of rose rosette disease. See "On the Lookout" on next page for information.)

The trunk and root flare of a tree is oh-so-important. This month tree expert Steve Houser of Arborilogical Services helps readers make wise choices about planting depth and soil build-up around trees.

Few plants have served me so well. It's a groundcover for full sun to heavy shade. It's deep green in the summer and Aggie maroon all winter. Almost no pest problems, and it holds up to cold and dry soils. It's the plant with a name that sounds like a sentence: purple wintercreeper euonymus. Click for details.

Whether you are a current subscriber to Neil Sperry's GARDENS Magazine or have always wanted to be, we have an exciting new way we will be making it available to you. We have loved producing one of America's finest regional gardening publications for almost 30 years. Now it's time for a change. We have the details.

It's the start of summer adventures in beautiful, natural Texas settings! The list of events this month includes everything from concerts in the park to garden tours. Check our calendar for June.

Neil's Facebook community went past 40,000 Friends just this past week. It's a village of great gardeners helping one another -- not your traditional Facebook foo-foo, but real Garden Tips and a little fun thrown in along the way. For one odd example, Neil invited people to post their favorite mushroom photos in light of the rains. He compiled them into panels of nine. Wait 'til you see what Facebook followers sent in!

We're happy to introduce Sweet Pea, Queenie, Ritter and Mistie, this month's adoptable pets! They are waiting at DFW Metroplex SPCA shelters for loving new owners. Read their stories here, then pay these special animals a visit!

We're growing us a mighty oak tree here. We planted the e-gardens acorn more than a dozen years ago, and it has grown steadily ever since. We're beyond 40,000 subscribers, but we still have room for more. Please share us with your friends right now, while it's fresh on your mind. Then sit back and imagine a big "Thank you" hug from our staff. It's coming your way!

That's it for this early summer edition of e-gardens. Watch for the effects of suddenly hot weather as it arrives, and take care of yourself and your plants. Oh, and share us with your friends.

Until next time, Happy Gardening!

Neil Sperry