Neil Sperry, Author at Neil Sperry's GARDENS

Armadillos are back

By Neil Sperry • July 15, 2025

They’re an icon of the Southwest. Unfortunately, they’re also native to the 11-acre Sperry pecan forest. They forage at night, and it’s not uncommon to have one run past you ...

Fairy rings – they have them in Scotland, too

By Neil Sperry • July 15, 2025

If you were watching the CBS broadcast of the Genesis Scottish Open golf tournament this past Sunday you might have noticed the curious circles in the fairways and greens. Is ...

What exactly is “root rot?”

By Neil Sperry • July 9, 2025

A lot of plant deaths are explained away casually as being “root rot.” People seem content with that broad-sweep explanation, but what does it really tell us? Certainly, most plants ...

Favorite Foliage

By Neil Sperry • July 9, 2025

Don’t get me wrong – I have no issue at all with plants that want to bloom in the heat. But it’s nice when there are also plants with colorful ...

Q&A – Ask Neil: July 10, 2025

By Neil Sperry • July 8, 2025

(Please read these instructions carefully.)Before you post your question, please look at recent issues to see if someone else has already asked it. You might find your answer there. July ...

Subdue summer sun with a shade sail – by Diane Morey Sitton

By Diane Morey Sitton • July 8, 2025

It’s no wonder shade sails are more popular than ever for shading patios, decks, poolsides and other outdoor spaces. The sail-like garden structures are relatively easy to install, they are ...

Gardening This Weekend: July 10, 2025

By Neil Sperry • July 8, 2025

Here’s that shorter list of things to get done here in mid-summer. PLANT• Summer and fall annuals, but stick with types that can handle the hottest of weather. Lantana, cleome, ...

Hydrangea ‘White Wedding’ – by Steve Huddleston

By Steve Huddleston • June 30, 2025

The two most popular kinds of hydrangeas grown in Texas are mophead hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla, and oakleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia. Mopheads are often sold as Mother’s Day gifts. Their huge, ...

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