VOLUME 15, ISSUE 35 • August 29, 2019

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

It's Labor Day weekend, so that gives you extra time for gardening. The weather is better, and we have a great e-gardens to help you.

Serenity High Fundraiser…
Before I go to e-gardens, however, if you're a biker in the North Texas area, I invite you to join us next Saturday, September 7, at 9 a.m. at Serenity High, 2550 Wilmeth Road, McKinney (south parking lot of McKinney North High School) in McKinney for the second annual Serenity High Ride for Recovery. Serenity High is Texas’ only public high school for youth in recovery from substance abuse who have been advised not to go back to their old school environments. Click here for all of the ride details.

In this issue…
• A fan of the flame;
• Scaling the euonymus;
• Things we need to get done;
• A tree with the leans; and
• When yellow's not pretty.

Book sales are zooming!
Yahoo! Folks must have gotten the message. Fall is the very best time for landscaping because it gives your plants the longest possible time to establish before summer.

Why this is the best work of my career…
• Everything I've ever said or written is summed up in its 344 pages.
• I use 840 of my very best photos to illustrate it.
• A great editor (Carolyn Skei) and graphic designer (Cyndy Smith) worked alongside me.
• Collin Flood (longtime friend and printing consultant) helped me find Clear Visions in San Antonio to print it on high quality paper and as a hardback. We gave Texas printers work – three times, with a fourth time coming before long.

How much and where?
Neil Sperry's Lone Star Gardening
Only $33.95 plus tax, postage

• Not in stores and not on Amazon
• Available from my website, or by calling my office (800) 752-4769 weekdays.
• I sign every book. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Photo: Flame acanthus is a hot-weather all star for Texas.

Gardening This Weekend

Take an hour or two this weekend to tend to things you've been putting off in your landscape and garden. I've listed the critical ones. Take a quick glance.

Photo: THIS is the time for pre-emergents to prevent winter weeds like these!

Hummingbirds and Gardeners Agree…

Flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrificus wrightii - try saying that with a mouthful of oatmeal!) is one great little plant. Let me cite a few reasons.

Photo: This is the way flame acanthus looks for much of the summer.

Question of the Week Number 1: August 29, 2019

"What is wrong with my euonymus plants? Can the plants be saved?"

This problem is common with euonymus, and you must catch it early.

Photo: Golden euonymus is riddled and obviously dying.

Question of the Week - Number 2: August 29, 2019

"My tree is leaning. How should I straighten it, and when should I do it?"

I can answer that question, and it's usually not what most people expect me to tell them.

Photo: Tree (lacebark elm in this case) is at a 45-degree angle.

Another Serenity High Fundraiser…
We of the Serenity High (in McKinney ISD) advisory board are immensely grateful for the support of the North Texas Ace Hardware stores and their “Round Up for Change” this Labor Day weekend. They will be inviting all customers to round their purchases up to the next full dollar, and all of that rounded-up change will benefit Serenity High in McKinney. Thank you, Ace Hardware friends!

Question of the Week - Number 3: August 29, 2019

"My oak tree continues to turn yellow each year. Treatments don't seem to help. What is the problem, and how do I solve it?"

I get this question many times every year on my radio programs in the Metroplex, also on my Facebook page.

Photo: Sent to me by a Facebook friend.

And, in closing…

That's it for our Labor Day issue of e-gardens. I hope you've enjoyed it, and we look forward to seeing your eyeballs next week at this same time.

Until then, hopefully we'll meet up in a nursery or café somewhere. Say "Hi" if we do. I would really enjoy meeting you. Tune me in live on the radio this weekend, or visit via the podcasts. Check in on my website or join me on Facebook.

Until next week, thanks for reading,

And happy gardening!

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