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

Dear Neil: I planted white crape myrtles on the west and east sides of my patio 10 years ago. As I sit there, I see a fine mist dropping to the ground. The grass refuses to grow beneath the trees even ...

Learn how to prune a crape myrtle the right way and avoid “crape murder,” a common mistake that can damage your tree and ruin its shape.

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 ...

Question: Several crape myrtles in our yard are shedding lots of bark. Is this normal? Answer: Not only are crape myrtles with shedding bark normal — but beautiful. Often under the outer layer of old ...

Q: What is this weed that has invaded part of my yard? What can I do to eliminate it? It is very aggressive. A: This is one of the types of nutsedge. They tend to thrive in wetter parts of our lawns ...

Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia sp) are among the toughest and showiest plants for Texas landscapes. Introduced from China, crape myrtles have been grown in the U.S. since the American Revolution and ...

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 ...

This fast-growing (up to 5 feet per year) woody plant flowers all summer long, making crape myrtle a popular garden favorite. “Specimen trees can be great for shade in the summer,” says Tracy Harrison ...