VOLUME 20, ISSUE 38 • September 19, 2024

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Gardening This Weekend

The next 6 weeks are some of my most productive times in my landscape and garden. There are critical things that need our attention as September motors its way through. Click to see what I've included.

Photo: Divide 'Goldsturm' gloriosa daisies now.

Native Son: Old Friends

Our friend Steven Chamblee spent 13 very productive years at Chandor Gardens in Weatherford. He recently paid a return visit and was pleasantly surprised. He shares his warm stories.

Photo: 140-foot-long curved pergola brought back some special construction memories to Steven.

When we treat crape myrtles right

This may seem like an odd time to be featuring crape myrtles, but when I saw this planting in Allen 4 days ago I couldn't help myself. There are several important things we can learn from it. Click to see my quick list.

Photo: Crape myrtles on Alma in Allen last Sunday.

Here's you a pretty Native Texan

When the subject turns to landscaping with native Texas plants I get a little nervous. That's especially the case with shrubs. We don't have a wealth of widely adapted shrubs that bring a lot to our gardens. Here's one that does, though. I'll tell you about it.

Photo: American beautyberry's name is very descriptive.

Q&A – Ask Neil

I feel like our plants are all in the waiting room feeling a bit under the weather. This week we feature sickly looking examples of: Monterey oak, abelia, Little Gem magnolia, and spiraeas. Poor babies. It’s not easy to be a landscape in Texas. See how I addressed these and more.

And, in closing…

Click image for larger view.

Here's a photo with a little back story:
This past Monday I was standing in the parking lot of Calloway's on Eldorado Pkwy. in McKinney taking photos of this bed when in pulled a car Lynn and I recognized.

Here's how the conversation went:
"Hi, Pastor."
"Hi, Neil. What's going on? What's that plant?"
"Well, I'm taking photos of the perfect plant for you. Its name starts with
"'a-n-g-e-l.' Angelonia." It's a beautiful summer annual."
And, Tommy, if you'll stand still I can get my pastor's shadow on the angelonia."

So now you know why I have a photo with a shadow in it. That's a special shadow.

And last night was Band Night

Click here for larger image.

The football stadium at McKinney I.S.D. was completely full (home side). The parking lot was completely full (home side). The streets coming in were backed up for miles. Our city turned out to support all 8 of our high school and middle school bands for Band Night last night. The 3 big high schools did their competition halftime shows (and they got to see one another) and the middle schools played in between. The finalé is what you see here – all of the band students in our district on the field together playing at the same time. Just beautiful. Fine Arts rock in McKinney I.S.D.!

That's e-gardens for this week. Here's hoping you've enjoyed it and that you'll bring the whole neighborhood with you next Thursday at 6 when the next e-gardens flies into your e-mailbox.

Please know how much you are appreciated, especially when you let our advertisers know that you see their ads here.

I'll hope to be chatting with you live on my radio programs this weekend.

Until then, thanks for reading…

And happy gardening!