VOLUME 22, ISSUE 23 • June 4, 2026

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Happy June. Happy Summer. I hope you enjoy this issue of e-gardens that we've prepared in that light.

In this issue…
• Save a spot for abelias;
• Leafcutter bees;
• This weekend's assignments;
• When your lawn develops spots; and
• Your questions, my answers.

NEIL SPERRY'S LONE STAR GARDENING

Our office is closed for the next 7-10 days while wonderful Gretchen recovers from surgery for a broken shoulder. During that time, we will not be able to take and process orders for my book via phone.

If you care to place your order from my website, you are welcome to do so. We will get labels prepared and books sent as soon as she's up to doing so. Doctors tell her she should feel much better soon.

Signed copies are available at most Calloways and Cornelius Nurseries in DFW, Austin, and Greater Houston.

Photo: Twist of Lime Abelia brings a refreshing color to the Texas landscape.

Gardening This Weekend

With June come longer evenings. More time to garden. But also, more responsibilities. I'll list the most critical ones here. See what you think.

Photo: Colocasias are sisters to elephant ears. They bring an especially tropical look to their surroundings.

Abelias abound

Old-fashioned glossy abelia has been one of America's most dependable landscape shrubs for decades. More recently, compact and variegated selections have come into the market. Steve Huddleston shares some of the best.

Photo: Glossy abelia brings lasting beauty. Photo by Neil Sperry

"Bee" as in "Beneficial"

When we see the curious work of this little insect, our first instinct is not one of gratitude. "What's eating my plant?" is what we exclaim. Imagine our surprise when we find the precise semi-circles have been cut by a bee and that she's actually beneficial.

Photo: Work of a leafcutter bee on a Sperry bougainvillea a couple of years back.

When you're seeing spots…

I came across a couple of photos from a few years ago. It was an interesting challenge I'd faced several times on the air and in print. This is the "Before" photo. Click through to see if you can figure what the cause of the spots might have been.

Photo: What caused all these spots in the man's lawn?

Q&A – Ask Neil

When is a bur oak not a bur oak and when is iron deficiency something entirely different? I'll sort them out. A tough spot to landscape, and a crape myrtle's problem I can't see, much less solve. A Jane magnolia that's not happy. See my replies.

And, in closing…

That's it for this issue of e-gardens, but we're working vigorously on next week's version as you read this.

If you enjoy our weekly free newsletter, please forward it on to a friend and invite them to sign up as well. And be sure to let our advertisers know, too.

Until next week, thanks for reading. Include Gretchen in your "Get well" prayers. Tune me in on the radio. And wear your sunscreen!

Happy gardening!

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