VOLUME 22, ISSUE 24 • June 11, 2026

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

This e-gardens may look a little different to you. I've prepared it prior to our closing our office for 10-12 days as Gretchen has surgery to repair a painfully broken shoulder. She does all the assembly work for our newsletter, so this issue has a combination of new stories and a couple of good stories from past issues that merit repeating. I think you'll find it useful and fun.

In this issue…
• Blooms that last only one day;
• Updated checklist for this weekend;
• Two ultra-timely lawn issues;
• Diane Sitton is waving her flags; and
• Lemon lollipops look yummy.

NEIL SPERRY'S LONE STAR GARDENING

Our office has been closed for a few days. If you’ve been trying to order my book, I’ll let you know when Gretchen has recovered enough from her shoulder surgery to download your order. It shouldn’t be too much longer. Thanks for your patience.

In the meantime, signed copies are available at most Calloway's and Cornelius Nurseries in DFW, Austin, and Houston. Thanks for your patience.

Photo: Flags are where you find them. Fly your flag proudly for Flag Day! Photo by Diane Sitton.

Gardening This Weekend

Take a little "quiet time" in the landscape or garden early in the morning or late in the evening and accomplish the important tasks for early to mid-June. Check through this weekend's list.

Photo: Coleus have been bred for sun tolerance.

In the garden…where patriotism grows

Diane Sitton inspires us all.

Photo: Flying high. Potting shed, she-shed, garden shed…call it what you will…this mini-retreat radiates patriotism.

Love You Some Lemon Lollipop

This popular tropical is in nurseries right now, and maybe it's time you got some into your gardens to enjoy the rest of the summer and fall. I'll tell you about it.

Photo: Lemon lollipop stands up to the summer.

Last call on these two lawn care tips

Two critical turf management tips need your attention this weekend. It's time for the second application of pre-emergent granules for crabgrass and grassburs, and if you have St. Augustine, its second feeding needs to be made before you get into the hottest part of the summer. I’ll explain why.

Photo: Grassburs, gray leaf spot demand attention now.

Blooms That Last for a Day

Some of our favorite flowers also last the shortest of times. They open and close all within one 24-hour period, often in less time than that. I've chosen some of the best.

Photo: Daylilies are my all-time favorite flowers.

And, in closing…

That's it for this week's atypical e-gardens. Things will be back to normal very soon.

Until then, please join me live on the radio this weekend. Check out my Q&A columns in a dozen Texas newspapers. (Hope yours is one of them.) And I'll see you at church and buying crape myrtles at your favorite local nursery.

Be well, and

Happy Gardening!

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