Neil Sperry gives answers on kumquats, crape myrtle aphids/scale, shade lawn fixes with mondograss, dahlias vs. zinnias, and Asian jasmine.

A: A crape myrtle shedding bark is completely normal. Also referred to as ‘exfoliating bark’, this process simply reveals newer inner bark, often cinnamon red in color. This process can be more ...

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a beloved choice for many North American gardeners, known for its stunning summer blooms, vibrant foliage in the fall, and impressive bark. With its ability to ...

Also known as "Lilac of the South" due to its popularity in zones 7 to 9, crape myrtle is a deciduous shrub or small tree that explodes with white, deep rose, or magenta blossoms from July to ...

Dear Neil: I am battling Asian bark scale on a crape myrtle and have been using horticultural oil spray that is labeled for scale insects. After six consecutive daily sprayings I’m not seeing visible ...

Discover what to do with crepe myrtle in March. These 3 jobs will set your tree up for a summer of vibrant flowering. Pruning ...

Not long ago, I received the following email: “I have two crape myrtle trees in my front yard, one about 25 years old and one about 10 years old. They are in full sun. They usually bloom later than ...