VOLUME 19, ISSUE 50 • December 14, 2023

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Wow! What a week. Christmas is for Caring for the Denton State Supported Living Center each day through tomorrow on WBAP. (Please call 214.525.2550 to help us.) Also, signing and mailing several hundred books. (Thank you!)

In this issue…
• Stocks to buy;
• I saw a crape myrtle miracle;
• This weekend's to-do list;
• Diane Sitton's Christmas home tour in Lufkin;
• I've answered your questions.

NEIL SPERRY'S LONE STAR GARDENING
Last chance for delivery by Christmas
(See deadlines below)

STILL ON SALE. ONLY $34.95,
BUT HURRY!

• A gift that will be used for many years.
• 344 pages. 840 photos. Scores of lists and charts to help you make great choices.
• Detailed chapters on trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, annuals, perennials, lawns, fruit, and vegetables.
• A 48-page perpetual calendar (Chapter 2) telling you when to plant, prune, fertilize and spray all the plants that you're growing.
• Written to cover every county in Texas.
• I sign every copy as it sells, and I personally guarantee satisfaction or I'll refund every penny. (85,000 copies sold so far and no one has asked for a refund yet.)

Not in stores and not on Amazon.

ORDER FROM NEILSPERRY.COM
OR CALL MY OFFICE M-F 9-5
(800) 752-4769

Deadlines for ordering for Christmas delivery:
Personalized books: 2 P.M. Sat. Dec. 16
Simple signatures: 6 P.M. Sun. Dec. 17

Photo: The beautiful brilliance of stocks in a Texas winter.

Gardening This Weekend

Less than two weeks and two weekends until Christmas. Remember that garden centers make great places for last-minute shopping. No crowds and lots of great choices. But we're here to talk about homework assignments. Click through to see them.

Photo: Cyclamen come in many shades, tolerate light frosts.

Sharing the season

Diane Sitton says the Christmas home tour in Lufkin is one of her annual favorites. She was just there, and she’s filed a fun report!

Photo: Save a tree by making one from Christmas tree stands.

I've seen a miracle!

I went back to the car. Lynn was busy shopping and my legs had grown weary waiting. As I sat there tuning the radio, I realized I was seeing something I thought I would never see. Click through and I'll explain.

Photo: I'll zoom back a little and you'll understand better.

Take stock of stocks

Not many Texans know them. Fewer of us grow them. Stocks ought to be in everyone's garden in some form or fashion. They're great sources of cool-season color, whether planted in beds in South Texas or featured in patio pots just about anywhere. Pull up a chair. Let's have a talk.

Photo: Now that's what I call a show-stopper!

Q&A
Ask Neil

Questions this week ranged from Oakleaf hydrangeas to Anna apples, live oaks to an old Arizona ash. Click to see for yourself.

And, in closing…

That's it for this week's e-gardens. Thanks for spending some time with us. I really enjoyed putting it together for you, and I have some fun things in store for next week.

If you've been thinking about buying or giving my book, this would be a great time. I have it on a special sale and I'd be honored to sign a copy for you. Here's that link again.

Remember us at the phone banks for Christmas is for Caring for residents of the Denton State Supported Living Center. If you'd like to help, give us a call 6AM - 7PM tomorrow Friday. (214) 525-2550.

Thanks for reading…

And happy gardening!

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