VOLUME 22, ISSUE 15 • April 9, 2026

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

I hope you enjoy reading this week's e-gardens as much as I did in doing my part. There's a lot of great spring information included.

In this issue…
• Japanese maples win Texans' hearts;
• This weekend's main goals;
• My choices for summertime color;
• Diane Sitton's great ideas for in-between spaces; and
• I answer your questions.

NEIL SPERRY'S LONE STAR GARDENING
Best $34.95 you ever spent on your
landscape and garden!

The book that will pay for itself this season!

• 344 pages. 840 of my photos. More than 25 multi-page charts.
• Hardback, printed in Texas.
• Satisfaction guaranteed or I'll personally refund every penny.
• It covers every aspect of landscaping, lawns, fruit, flower, and vegetable gardening for every county in Texas.
• Not in stores and not on Amazon.
• I sign every copy as it sells.

ORDER FROM MY WEBSITE
Or call my office M-F afternoons
(800) 752-4769
Also available at Calloway's and Cornelius Nurseries

Photo: Coleus – my lifelong favorite plant for summertime color (since I was a youngster).

Gardening This Weekend

Let's hear a big "Hallelujah!" as we enter the prime time of spring. Weather has warmed. Prospects of rain have returned. Plants are growing and the birds are singing. It's a great time to be a Texan. Let's outline things you'll want to accomplish this weekend.

Photo: New Blue Wonder fanflower and Dahlberg daisy dazzle for the summer.

Side yard savvy

In one of the most compelling of her stories ever, Diane shows us how to turn useless space into beauty. Check it out!

Photo: Use low walls, screens or fencing boards to separate side yards into garden rooms and to conceal utilitarian items.

Japanese maples hit the big time in Texas

They've become some of the most popular tree purchases from Texas nurseries, but many are brought home to difficult challenges. I'll explain why I say that and I'll give you a couple of tips to success. Read on.

Photo: Nurseries are well stocked with Japanese maples this time of year. Photo at Calloway's

Favorite Sources of Summertime Color

Plant masters worldwide have brought us hundreds of options when it comes to summertime color. Choices abound, and wise gardeners will try many. But we still fall back to our favorites. I'll give you my own list.

Photo: I've been growing coleus since I was coloring with Crayons.

Q&A – Ask Neil

Damage to an Ann magnolia. A Chinese pistachio that's growing off course. Complete details on pruning a surprising nandina. Bagworms, and are mosquito misters good things? Click for my answers.

And, in closing…

It's been quite a week in the Sperry lives. We had a wonderful Easter and I hope you did, too.

Of course, I'll be on the air this weekend live. Here are the stations, times, frequencies, and phone numbers. I hope you'll call.

Image clickable for larger view.

And the highlight of our week, the Easter stork left a sweet little baby girl for grandson Alex and his wife Sophie on Saturday. Our great-granddaughter Frankie was born, and I’m admittedly just a little bit biased, but she is gorgeous. And the photos prove it – she’s pretty fond of her mom and dad. God is great!

Happy weekend, and thanks for reading!

Until next week,

Happy Gardening!

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