VOLUME 16, ISSUE 7 • February 13, 2020

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

It gets more exciting to write e-gardens with each passing week. Spring is so near! (Yet it's still quite cool in some parts of the state.)

In this issue…
With that proximity to a gardener's favorite season, here's what we have for you this week:
• Flowering quince, the heirloom;
• My two favorite daffodils;
• Preparing for the cold;
• Gardening goals for the weekend; and
• Diane Sitton talks textures.

In this book…
(It's my latest book.)

Neil Sperry's Lone Star Gardening
• And Texas gardening calendar - an entire chapter devoted to timing of all your gardening activities (never in a book of mine before);
• 344 pages and 840 of my best photos;
• Covers all aspects of outdoor gardening in Texas;
• Hardback, printed in Texas on high-quality paper.
• A quarter-century more up-to-date than the old "cowboy boot" book.

Only $33.95 plus tax and postage!
• Satisfaction guaranteed or full refund;
• I sign every copy as it sells.
• Don't grow into spring without it!

Not in stores and not on Amazon
Order from my website.
(Office will be closed Friday and Monday, but you can call after that: 800-752-4769.)

Photo: Flowering quince has been a favorite of Texas gardeners for many generations.

My Top 2 Daffodils

If you're looking for daffodils that will establish and rebloom year after year, you need to read what I've prepared for you today. Of the thousands of varieties, these are my favorites.

Photo: Ice Follies has been a Sperry favorite for 35 years.

Preparing for the Cold

"Forecasters are saying it may freeze tonight. What can I do to protect my plants?”

Click for my answer.

Photo: Cover shrubs that are blooming if it's going to get really cold tonight. It may not get as cold as we originally were told, but check through these suggestions.

Diane Sitton Says Texture Matters

It's an overlooked factor in garden design. Everything you introduce into your garden brings its own textures. Diane explains why that matters.

Photo: Succulent plants bring wonderfully unusual textures.

Old Heirloom Sees a Comeback

Flowering quince was a common shrub in our grandmothers' gardens. Now we're seeing it appear in nurseries and landscapes again. Let me share it with you today.

Photo: Flowering quince is always one of the first shrubs to bloom.

Gardening This Weekend

This part of February has been rather cold and rather wet in our part of Texas, but it looks like the weekend may give us a bit of a break. Here are the things that are becoming very time-sensitive in our landscapes and gardens. Better check 'em out!

Photo: Sweet alyssum is perfect source of late winter color.

And, in closing…

I stopped by a local flower shop earlier this week and their work room was filled with elves turning out beautiful Valentine's arrangements. They wanted me to say "Thanks" for the business.

Between now and next week's e-gardens, I'll hope that you'll be tuned in to my radio programs and that you’ll check in on my Facebook page and website.

Happy Valentine's Day, and

Happy Gardening!

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