VOLUME 22, ISSUE 45 • November 5, 2026

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Gardening This Weekend

I see nothing extraordinary in the weather forecasts across Texas the next several days, so that means it's straight forward with gardening in this wonderful interlude we call mid-fall. I'll outline the things we'll want to accomplish here in early November.

Photo: Crotons by the pool or on the patio will need warmth and really bright light indoors this winter.

Little plant is big on color

I remember the first time I saw this plant growing in a greenhouse. It was in full bloom, and I thought it was maybe the prettiest little flowering tropical pot plant I'd ever seen. But where I saw it was the unusual thing. Let me tell you about it.

Photo: Crossandra (left) blooms for several months with just normal care.

Texas Garden Tip: Tree Trunks

Most of us worry about tree trunks about like we worried about turning our sundials back by an hour last Sunday morning. Trunks are just a necessary part of being a tree. They don't get much love. But I have a short list of suggestions that could keep your trees a lot happier.

Photo: What's wrong with the trunk of this crape myrtle?

Native Texan with a flair for fall

If you've gardened very long in Texas you've probably encountered Virginia creeper. It's notable for three things, and each should be discussed. Click through and I'll point them out.

Photo: Not many native Texas plants look this lovely in the fall, but Virginia creeper puts on a great show.

Q&A – Ask Neil

This week I have a great addition to an answer from last week. I pay my last visit to pre-emergents for the fall. A bougainvillea is being chewed up, and someone wants to know if they have a good way to water new shrubs. Two more lawn questions, and a dead patch in an Oakleaf holly. Check it all out.

And, in closing…

I've been working on this week's e-gardens since last Friday, and here it is Thursday. We need to lick the envelop and get it ready to "Send." I hope you enjoy it.

Join me live on the radio this weekend. Here's the page that gives you the stations, times, and phone numbers. Give me a call.

Images clickable for larger views.

Four personal family photos to wrap it all up. Happy birthday to our grandson Nolan. We had dinner with him and his dad last night. Nolan visited his sister Audrey who is working on her PhD in Georgia a week or two ago. Here is the cookie she prepared for him. Sweet girl for a great little brother who now towers over her.

And their Uncle Todd and his wife attended a wedding in Denver last week. They drove their camper, then Jen flew back to California, but Todd and his sidekick Hollywood took the scenic route home. I'm going to share a few of his photos over the next few weeks. He really has a keen eye.

🚌 Finally, on behalf of the Texans who attend, work at, or volunteer for our state's public schools, thanks for voting two days ago for candidates who have spoken out on their behalf. Unfortunately, many districts that had bond issues on their ballots saw them fail, so please continue to work hard in support of the children and our schools. Encourage our elected officials to do likewise. (That's spoken as the husband of a Texas school board member.)

Thanks for reading e-gardens, and until next week…

Happy gardening!