VOLUME 22, ISSUE 39 • September 24, 2026

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

That taste of cooler mornings was delicious. It sets my thoughts in motion for fall landscaping. This week's e-gardens is written with that in mind.

In this issue…
• Mexican bush sage shines;
• This weekend's assignments;
• It's a jungle out in the landscape;
• Trees that hold up to heat and drought;
• My answers to this week's questions.

NEIL SPERRY'S LONE STAR GARDENING
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Photo: Diane Sitton found lions guarding this lovely gate.

Gardening This Weekend

We're going to encounter some big changes in the weather over the next several weeks. This needs to be the first place you look in e-gardens each issue. I'll keep you on top of things you'll need to be doing. This week's assignments are just one click away.

Photo: Garden mums have come a long way thanks to skilled plant breeders.

It's a jungle out there

We share our gardens with wildlife of all species. Diane Sitton shows us how to bring out the best in the beasts.

Photo: Displaying bird or animal figures in pairs or groups increases their impact.

Best Trees for Heat and Drought

The hero of Texas trees, Steve Houser, has been back at his computer. This time he's helping us find the tree types that can best hold up to bad Texas summers. Great information awaits you!

Photo: There's a reason that live oaks can live for centuries in Texas weather. They're adapted!

It's on stage now across Texas

It's one of the tallest salvias in our gardens, and it's also one of the last ones to bloom. You've heard the old adage of "saving the best for the last." That might apply here. All you need to know is where and how to grow it, and I'll give you those facts.

Photo: Painted Lady butterfly sips from a Mexican bush sage flower.

Q&A – Ask Neil

Drought and St. Augustine ills tied for first place this week. Then the score evened out for a dead aucuba, trimming hollies back considerably, and repairing damage to pecan trees. Take a look to see for yourself.

And, in closing…

That's it for our final e-gardens of the month. We have some important things to accomplish in the quarter of the year that remains, so I'd better start writing now.

But, as always, I'll take time out for live radio this weekend. Here's a list of the stations, frequencies, times, and phone numbers. I look forward to a personal call from you.

One of the great crews from Arborilogical Services has been out at our house yesterday and today taking care of our forest. In no uncertain terms: they are the best!

L to R: Miguel Pastenes (crew foreman - 22 yrs. with Arborilogical Services), Steve Houser (co-founder, owner, and friend - 45 yrs.), some guy named Neil, Jose Luis (22 yrs.), Ramiro (3 yrs.), Balvino (25 yrs.)

Miguel is the 13-time Texas State Tree-Climbing Champion and 2016 North American Champion. Steve was one of the very first people to be named "Texas Arborist of the Year."

Image clickable for larger view.

And that makes a good place to hit "End" for this week's e-gardens. I hope you've enjoyed it, and we'll be watching for you next week, same e-mailbox.

Until then,

Happy gardening!

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