VOLUME 19, ISSUE 18 • May 4, 2023

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Hey, May! Glad to see you! Let's see what we can cook up together.

In this issue…
• Invasive plants from the Far East;
• What's that stuff on my trunks?
• Top of the list things to get done;
• Steve Huddleston's shade-loving bloomer; and
• Trees in trouble in our Q&A.

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Photo: Japanese kerria is that rare shrub that actually blooms well in shade.

Gardening This Weekend

Things in the Sperry landscape have been slow-moving this spring. But we're finally up to speed, with a late spring and summer ahead of us. I've made a list of the things I've targeted for the next several days. Click through to take a look.

Photo: The Sperry backyard - Spring is our favorite time.

A Source of Shade Color

by Steve Huddleston
It's hard to find flowering shrubs for the shade, and this one isn't exactly at the top of the pops chart. However, Japanese kerria ought to be one you consider if shade is an issue. Steve Huddleston will tell you about it.

Photo: Japanese kerria is in bloom right now in North Texas.

Lichens Worry Gardeners

I get many questions each year from gardeners who are concerned about these growths on the trunks and limbs of their trees. They're called "lichens" and I'll share a few details about them.

Photo: Lichens beginning to cover this tree's trunk.

The Two Most Invasive Plants in Texas

That's by my determination. I guess there could be others, but Chinese privet and Japanese honeysuckle seem determined to conquer the world where I live. Let me share their stories.

Photo: Chinese privet and Japanese honeysuckle are growing and blooming together in the fence across the road from our house.

Q&A
Ask Neil

You’ll see the forest and the trees this week. Lotsa trees in lotsa trouble. A couple of other topics thrown in for good measure.

And, in closing…

That's it for e-gardens for this week. I thought you'd enjoy a photo I found online from a pet shelter apparently named We Love Animals.

Click image for larger view.

What is left of me will be broadcasting live all weekend as normal on radio. I hope you'll join me.

This has been an extremely strenuous March, April, and very early May. My wife is a hero in McKinney where we live. She has been awarded Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and had a beautiful performing art center named for her.

Lynn is running for re-election to the McKinney School Board this Saturday 7-7, and huge dollars have been brought in from the other side of the Metroplex in support of Lynn's opponent. I've been working on her campaign 12 hours a day for the past 12 weeks.

If you're in McKinney, please re-elect #TheGreatSlate: Amy Dankel, Stephanie O'Dell and Lynn Sperry. Every vote counts! We will announce the results Saturday night on Lynn's Facebook page "Lynn Sperry for school board."

That's it for now. Until next week, vote in your own local elections…

And happy gardening!

McKinney ISD

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