VOLUME 14, ISSUE 48 • November 29, 2018

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

December and winter are both about to arrive. Yet there's still a lot to get done in gardening. It looks like we’re in for some fairly good weather for the next few days.

Here's what I've brought you this time…
• Colorful cyclamen;
• Why some red oaks don't drop their leaves;
• Staghorn ferns - curious oddities;
• Gardening guides for this week; and
• When trunks are ruined by wires.

Time's running short to buy my book on sale!
Interested in getting my latest book for yourself and one or two friends? I have a deal.

And it's on sale…
First book $33.95, 2nd and 3rd books
to same address only $28.95!
• First book at regular price of only $33.95 plus tax and postage.
• 2nd and 3rd books shipped to the same address only $28.95 each.
• I sign every book and personalize them if requested.
• Satisfaction guaranteed.
• 11 chapters. 344 pages. 840 of my photographs. Covering all aspects of landscaping and gardening in Texas.

To order…
• Available from my website or call my office M-F at (800) 752-4769.
• Not in stores and not on Amazon.
• Not a re-do of my 1991 "cowboy boot" book.

Photo: Cyclamen come in many flavors and forms.

Gardening This Weekend

We're crossing over into December this weekend, so I'll condense your list to only the most critical topics of this time. See what I've outlined.

Photo: It's still prime pansy-planting time across Texas. They hold up to winter's cold.

Cyclamen Come of Age

There was a time, and it wasn't too long ago, when you rarely saw cyclamen. Not in nurseries. Not in flower shops. But those times have changed. I'll tell you how to get the most out of them.

Photo: A mix of cyclamen brings cheer to the holiday.

Fun Ferns

This has been one of my favorite ferns all of my life. But wait 'til you see the plant these fronds are attached to as posted to my Facebook page a couple of weeks ago. I'll tell you more about staghorn ferns in the process.

Photo: Fertile fronds of a staghorn fern.

Question of the Week Number 1: November 29, 2018

"Why do the leaves on my Shumard red oak not fall like leaves on other trees?"

I'll do my best to explain it.

Photo: Sperry red oak will hold leaves all winter.

Question of the Week Number 2: November 29, 2018

"We just bought a new home where the live oak trees look like wires are going to kill them. Is there anything that we can do to save them?"

I'll give it my best shot, but no guarantees.

Photo: This is called "girdling."

And, in closing…

That's it for another e-gardens. In the off chance that you might have missed stories from the past couple of weeks, here are some quick links back to them.

From last week, November 22:
• Oakland hollies;
• Amaryllis around us;
• Mealybugs; and
• Pecan hulls as a mulch.

From November 15:
• Redbor kale;
• Frostcloth to protect;
• Leaf spot on Indian hawthorn.

Remember my new time slot on 570 KLIF Saturday afternoons 1-3. Call (888) 787-KLIF (5543). And, as always, I'll be on WBAP Sunday morning 8-10 at 820AM. That number is (800) 288-WBAP (9227).

Until we meet again soon, thanks for reading, and…

Happy Gardening!

Subscribe to Neil's Podcast!

Available for both Apple and Google Play

Click here to listen on Neil's web site »