VOLUME 14, ISSUE 13 • March 29, 2018

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Welcome to the Easter weekend edition of e-gardens. We’re sending it a day early because we know you’re going to be busy.

In this special issue, "Coping with Shade…"
• Groundcovers to grow where it's too shady for turfgrass;
• Shrubs and vines that can handle the shade;
• Colorful plants for shady locations;
• Easter lilies, because it's their time to shine; and
• Gardening tasks for this weekend.

Neil Sperry's Lone Star Gardening

It might be the most useful gardening tool you'll buy this year. Here's what you need to know about it:

• 344 pages, 840 of my photographs.
• 11 chapters covering all aspects of gardening.
• Chapter 2 alone will pay for the book: a 48-page calendar, 4 pages per month, telling you when to plant, prune, fertilize and spray all of your plants.
• Hardback, printed in Texas on high-quality paper.
• Only $31.95 plus tax, postage.
• I sign every book as we sell them, personally inscribed if requested.

• Not in stores and not on Amazon.
• Order from my website now, or call my office (800) 752-4769 weekdays. We will be closed on Good Friday.
• Satisfaction guaranteed.

Photo: Liriope and English ivy blend beautifully in this wall planting.

When the Grass Just Won't Grow

I alluded to this last week when I told you my most-asked question of my professional life has to do with getting grass to grow in the shade. When that just doesn't work, I've put together your next options.

Photo: Liriope in bloom in summer is an attractive replacement for turfgrass.

Shade Opens New Doors

To many gardeners the changeover from a sunny landscape to one that's dominated by shade is overwhelming. It means learning new tools - new plants to accomplish your goals. I've made a list of the best shrubs for shady gardens in Texas.

Photo: See what I did with this shaded part of our landscape.

When You Want Color

Elsewhere this issue we're covering shrubs and groundcovers that will grow well in shade. What about ways to get color? What are your options? I have some good first-hand suggestions. Click through to see them.

Photo: Crotons colorful with coleus.

Happy Easter!

Churches will be filled with them. You probably have one at home and maybe one at work. They're among our most beautiful floral crops, but have empathy for their growers.

Photo: The delicate purity of a lovely Easter lily belies its great challenges.

Gardening This Weekend

This is a crazy time of a gardener's year. There's so much going on. Let me add to your list a few things you won't want to forget - critical tasks of this time.

Photo: Plant angelonias now for color all summer.

And, in closing…

We hope that by sending e-gardens a day early we’ve helped you get a head start on your weekend gardening projects.

If you've enjoyed this special edition that addresses the question I'm asked more than any other (plants that will grow in the shade), please share it with others. Here is a link you can copy and paste into e-mails and social media.

http://neilsperry.com/egardens/20180329/20180329.html

Until next week, I hope to see you on my website, my Facebook page, or at our church for any of the seven Easter services this Sunday morning, or we can visit on radio or via podcasts.

Until then, thanks for reading, and

Happy Gardening!

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