Dear Neil: I have experienced this smaller tree for many years wondering it was a yaupon holly. This yr, however, it has formulated these fruit. Now I know it is not a yaupon. Can you inform me what it is?

Response: You have a Texas persimmon (Diospyros texana). It’s indigenous to the Hill Region and Southwest Texas and into Mexico. It’s a charming significant shrub/small tree that does bear a excellent resemblance to yaupon hollies besides that its leaves are semi-evergreen and relatively fuzzy. But the black fruit on woman specimens is the giveaway. This very little tree is a handsome landscape addition the place it can be developed. As opposed to yaupons, which tolerate wet soils and shade, Texas persimmons will need wonderful drainage and full or just about full sunlight. They’re also winter-hardy only to Zone 8B, meaning that they will freeze when temperatures fall into single digits.

Dear Neil: I have some iris and narcissus bulbs that I will need to transplant. Is it as well late to do so?

Response: If you are chatting about bearded iris tubers (by far the most common iris), they can be transplanted at pretty much any time. Late September is great, but you could nevertheless do so now. Of study course, they won’t bloom a great deal (if at all) subsequent spring, but they will create and be completely ready the next year. As for the narcissus, I would maintain off until eventually August. They are presently well into creating roots and expanding for subsequent spring’s bloom time.

Expensive Neil: Do pecan hulls make very good backyard garden mulch?

Reply: Certainly. Exceptional. They appear marvelous, additionally they lay flat. Do not rototill them into the soil, however, of they’ll end up tying up nitrogen. Your crops will produce pale foliage and will develop lethargically. After a yr they will have damaged down enough that that will not be a concern. If you have a superior supply of the hulls, give them a try out.

Pricey Neil: I have what I imagine are mealy bugs on two of my patio vegetation (Chinese evergreens) that I have brought indoors for the wintertime. How can I get rid of them?

Reply: All those are a comfortable-bodied form of scale insect. There are insecticides that are labeled…