VOLUME 22, ISSUE 34 • August 20, 2026

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Gardening This Weekend

When I was a kid, I enjoyed school, but I enjoyed my summer gardening even more. That said, I've listed things that must be done soon to set the table for success this fall and next spring. Take a look.

Photo: Pentas are available in nurseries and can be planted now for color this fall.

A pampered peperomia

Be patient with me on this one. I haven't seen this plant in a garden center in 35 years. It's probably out there, but I've missed it. If you find it, try it. I'll tell you why I love it so much. It's called Parallel Peperomia - not exactly a catchy name I'll admit. But it's definitely available.

Photo: My prize on our front porch.

Gregg's mistflower is an unsung hero

It's hard to figure whether gardeners or butterflies love this plant more. On a good autumn day, a mistflower clump may have more wings than blossoms, and who's going to complain about that? But there's more to the story. Let's tell it.

Photo: Gregg's mistflower way out in Alpine. Photo by Neil Sperry.

Late-season weeds

Two projects of the next couple of weeks can give you a better-looking lawn this fall and into next spring. One is to kill a weed that's been hiding, and the other is to prevent ugly weeds of early spring. Either way, you need to read this!

Photo: This is the weed that's about to pop out and surprise you.

Q&A – Ask Neil

Two of you asked about Mexican petunias this week and an odd white growth on them. And a sadly common question about lacebark elms. The difference between "drought-tolerant" and "drought-resistant" plants. Sudden death of a Japanese maple. See how I answered them all.

And, in closing…

Thanks for stopping by our little part of the garden this week. I hope you'll be back next week. We're already busy putting together a new round of timely and informative stories.

We've almost made it through another Texas summer together. Keep applying the sunblock. Get your pets into some kind of cool place and give them fresh water. Do the same for your backyard birds.

I'll be on the radio this weekend, and I hope your ears and dialing fingers will be there with me. Here's a list of stations and times.

Until next week, take care of yourself…

And happy gardening!