VOLUME 22, ISSUE 22 • May 28, 2026

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

You'll find some great late-spring gardening goodies in this week's e-gardens pages. Hopefully you'll find it all helpful as you get things ready for a full summer of fun.

In this issue…
• Mandevillas hit the big time;
• This weekend's assignments;
• Saving water helps the budget;
• Diane Sitton visits backyards in Galveston; and
• I answer your questions.

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Photo: Mandevillas love Texas in summertime.

Gardening This Weekend

As we wrap up May we look into the summer. That means there are several critical tasks that ought to be finished before the hot weather arrives. I've put them onto my list. See if you agree.

Photo: It's sunflower season in Texas.

Galveston's gardens … color, comfort, creativity

Diane Sitton finds the best stories and the most wonderful photos in Galveston - this time in their backyards on tour. You're going to love her report!

Photo: A Galveston backyard shows all the elements of a traditional knot garden.

Mad About Mandevillas

It's hard to beat the tropical looks of mandevillas blooming profusely during warm summer days. Breeders have made so many great changes they're worth a try in your landscape. Odds are that you already have some. Well, gardener, pick up some more!

Photo: Deep pink - the color many people associate with Mandevillas.

Saving water saves money

Water is one of Texas' most precious commodities. As our population swells, our supplies become more strained. Let's talk about how we can all coexist and still respect the importance of greenery around us.

Photo: Irrigation audit finds this head functioning perfectly.

Q&A – Ask Neil

Sunshine ligustrums are being eaten. Gardenias keep failing. Live oaks with tip die-back. A peach tree with scores of new shoots. Deer-proof landscaping. All that and more. See how I've answered.

And, in closing…

Here's hoping you've enjoyed this week's edition e-gardens. If you have, please let others know about us. I'm planning some great stories for upcoming weeks and you and they will want to be a part of them.

In the meantime, join me on the radio each week. Here's a link to times and stations. We post podcasts of the programs on my website early each week. I write for a dozen Texas newspapers, so I'll be watching for your eyes to join me there.

And I'll see you in local garden centers and burger joints - and, of course, in church.

Until next week, thanks for reading. And…

Happy Gardening!

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