VOLUME 17, ISSUE 37 • September 16, 2021

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Fall officially rolls in next week, but there are changes underway already. This week's e-gardens reflects some of the important ones.

In this issue…
• Oxblood lilies burst into bloom;
• Live oaks burst their bark;
• Roots burst the pavement;
• This weekend's homework assignments; and
• Steven Chamblee is back!

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Photo: It's a happy day when oxblood lilies suddenly appear along the Sperry driveway.

Gardening This Weekend

Late-ish September is a critical time in the landscape and garden. I've collected a few of the most important things we all need to accomplish and jotted them onto my list. Better check through them.

Photo: Bluebonnet-sowing time is running out.

WUZZUP???

When you ask Steven Chamblee what he’s been doing, you never know what to expect.

Photo: Mark Chamblee (L) and Steven Chamblee. In case you were wondering, no, they are not identical twins.

They weathered the storm

Oxblood lilies may be heirloom plants, but I was still concerned about whether the planting along our drive was going to survive last February's cold. But here they are - living, blooming proof that they did! Let me tell you about them.

Photo: Oxblood lilies -unsung super bulbs of Texas.

Root of the Matter

Fall is a great time to think about roots. If changes are needed, the next few months are the best months to accomplish them. Let's pull back the topsoil and take a look at these unheralded parts of successful gardening.

Photo: It may be a bit too late to deal with the roots that caused this problem.

Question of the Week: September 16, 2021

"Why is all the bark coming off my tree? Will it survive?"

I know I covered this here two or three months ago, but the questions keep pouring in. I'll update my answer.

Photo: Live oak trunk continues to deteriorate.

And, in closing…

That's it for e-gardens for this week, but I'll be back with another same time same e-mailbox next week. In the meantime, please join me on my website, on the radio or via my podcasts.

Click image for larger view.

This is cane, otherwise known as "reed cane," or "bassoon cane" (Arundo donax). (I took this photo on the east side of the McKinney airport day before yesterday.) It's been planted in Texas for erosion control for 80 years. Our granddaughters play bassoon and oboe, and their reeds come from this plant. When I learned that you could have pushed me over with a cane plume. Scroll down in this story and you'll see confirmation. http://arundoresearch.com/q-and-a/

So that's our little plant lesson for this week. Until next week, thanks for reeding (that's a joke), and

Happy gardening!

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