VOLUME 12, ISSUE 23 • July 7, 2016

Neil Sperry, editor. Gretchen Drew, design.

What an assortment of topics we have for you.

• The worst parkway tree for Texas!

• More mushrooms than you've ever seen!

• Colorful Sperry-favorite perennials you need to grow!

• Gardening tasks for this weekend, and a whole lot more!

Also worthy of their first e-gardens mention: podcasts of my WBAP Sunday morning radio programs. We keep them on my website for you. Give 'em a listen.

Photo: Neil admits that 'Goldsturm' gloriosa daisies are among his favorite perennial flowers.

Gardening This Weekend

Can you identify this insect pest? I have details and suggestions on what to do about them.

Photo: Lacebugs on a rare host plant for them – dayflowers. Look at the black specks on the backs of the leaves.

A Couple of Sperry Favorites

I am in love with these two plants, and to see them together in a bed in McKinney just told me how bold we've become in our choices of garden color. I have the details.

Photo: Let me tell you about these two plants, longtime favorites at our house.

A Quick Spot of Shade Color

It's not always easy to get good color for shade. I use a lot of variegated plants such as these four liriopes. I have details and you'll see the photo better on the link page.

Photo: Variegated liriope ('Aztec Grass') in the shaded Sperry garden.

Question of the Week

"Neil, the HOA requires two live oaks be planted in the parkway in front of each home in our neighborhood. Isn't that a mistake?"

I am asked this question many times each week. I have four strong opinions.

Photo: HOA is requiring this kind of planting. Good idea or bad?

Fun Fungi

When you see these things cropping up in your lawn, it may make you uneasy. But there are some fabulous photos and important information hiding just one page away. You're about to be dazzled!

Photo: Mushrooms are a field of botany all to themselves. Wait 'til you see the collection of photos I've accumulated!

And, in closing…

That's it for e-gardens this week. I'm heading out tomorrow morning to start searching for stories that need to be told, and I'll bring them back here next Thursday at 6.

Three short pieces of business before I leave:

Here is your link to the past e-gardens. (Scroll down just a bit to see them.)

I'll be signing my newest book for shipping next Monday morning. If you don't have one, better get it. It's not in stores, nor is it on Amazon. Here is the only place you can order it.

Join Neil on Facebook. It’s a community of more than 54,000 gardeners (including Neil) helping one another enjoy the world’s greatest hobby.

Over and out. Until next Thursday,
Happy Gardening!

Neil

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