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

Crepe myrtles are certainly beautiful on their own, as the focal point in a flower bed or perched in a corner of the backyard to add some color. But if you’re looking to add color in all seasons or ...

I have crape myrtles that are about 30 years old. I have pruned them every year. The older and bigger ones are not blooming ...

If you have a spot for a specimen shrub or tree, consider planting a crape myrtle. They are cold hardy, produce attractive flowers, have smooth, peeling bark, and a multi-branched, open growth habit, ...

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 myrtles are hardy, low-maintenance plants that come in a variety of sizes and colors. To encourage summer blooms, prune crape myrtles in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.

DEAR NEIL: Regarding your recommendation of crape myrtles along streets, I do admit that under certain circumstances they can be spectacular, but they are not native to our state, and their seeds can ...

Dear Neil: I saw ajuga in a landscape last spring and really liked it. I see it in reference books, but they’re from the Northeast. How well does it do in Texas? The common type Ajuga reptans does ...

Choose less susceptible plants for future plantings. There’s no guarantee, but some plants are less likely to be damaged by ...

Determining what time of year to prune your ornamental deciduous shrubs can be tricky and confusing, but we hope to clear up ...