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As so many gardeners are staying at home these days, we’ve had more opportunity to enjoy the spring display. And then, perhaps inevitably, “normal” spring frost and freeze visited – some plants are vulnerable to damage. The amount of damage will depend on how far along they are in their development. Home fruit-growers may have…Read more about Assessing Freeze Injury on Horticultural Plants[Read More]


Most gardeners have heard of the wise advice “leaves of three, let it be” referring to the pest plant poison ivy. While not quite as catchy, the saying really should be “leaflets of three, let it be.” Poison ivy leaves are compound rather than simple – a single leaf is divided into three separate portions,…Read more about ‘Leaves’ of Three, Let It Be Should Be ‘Leaflets’ of Three[Read More]


We often receive inquiries from folks wanting to add landscape plants that will attract birds. Most folks primarily think of plants with edible berries. Birds require not only food such as fruits and seeds, but also shelter and water. Planting a variety of plants that offer these resources across the seasons will help attract more…Read more about It’s for the Birds![Read More]


The 2019 season provided challenges that were unexpected to the Green Industry, which included an abundance of rainfall followed by drought-like conditions, new invasive pests, concerns about glyphosate use, and many others.  The Purdue Landscape Report focuses on timely articles that help Green Industry professionals make decisions for their business and keep abreast of looming…Read more about A Look Back at a Challenging 2019 Season[Read More]


It’s not unusual for Indiana weather to have trouble deciding what season it is. Warm spells during the dormant period often lead to bulbs poking their foliage (and sometimes flower buds) through the soil.  While we’re more used to seeing this happen during February warm spells, our frigid temperatures arrived a bit early in the…Read more about Mother Nature Gives Spring Bulbs the Heave-Ho![Read More]




Deicing salts can save your neck this winter, but they can spell disaster for landscape plants. Whether the salt is sprayed on the plants from passing traffic near the road or is shoveled onto plants near the sidewalk, the salt can cause damage. Salts can adversely affect plants in several ways. Salts deposited on the…Read more about Deicing salts helpful for people but not landscape plants[Read More]


Susan E. Yoder, Executive Director, Seed Your Future It’s an uneasy time in horticulture. Many in the industry are aging and retiring. Employers across the industry cannot find enough qualified candidates to fill their open positions. Certification programs, training programs, and college and university horticulture programs are not growing – and in many cases, declining….Read more about Growing Green Collars – Seed Your Future[Read More]


Just as sure as you try to predict the weather, it is likely to change. But going out on a limb, I predict that we will have a bit of a dud for fall color display this year. Not a very risky prediction, considering that many plants already are starting to turn color and/or drop…Read more about Why Fall Color is Sometimes a Dud[Read More]


You are invited to attend this free educational opportunity on campus or via webinar to this event on October 23rd!  If you are interested in attending in person, please contact Kyle Daniel at daniel38@purdue.edu for details.     Title: The Changing Nursery Industry: How Will You Adapt? Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2:30-5:15 PM, EDT Moderator:…Read more about Educational Event: The Changing Nursery Industry: How Will You Adapt?[Read More]


It seems like yesterday that we were worried if Mother Nature’s faucet would ever stop (some of you still have that thought in some parts of the state).  Now, in many parts of the state, soil moisture is all but gone after a few heat waves passed through the Midwest, with many plants that are…Read more about Feast or Famine: Landscape plants are struggling due to precipitation extremes[Read More]


Let’s get this out of the way….Plants and their ecosystems are amazing.  To survive in so many environments with abundant or minimal resources without capabilities to migrate, plants are one of the most amazing organisms on the planet.  Though research is abundant in above ground plant systems, below ground ecology is starting to show the…Read more about Zombie Tree Needs Close Friends to Survive[Read More]


Plants differ in their adaptability to different growing conditions. Sunshine is one of the most significant factors. We often think of light as being either sunny or shady, but, in fact, there are many “shades” of light in between. Your garden may experience light shade, such as that filtered through an overhanging tree; dense shade,…Read more about Perennials for Shady Gardens[Read More]



Don’t miss the 2019 Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day on July 9th!  Your opportunity to interact with Purdue Specialists, see the latest on-going research and best management practices, and network with others in the Green Industry.  This is the premiere Green Industry education event that you’ll find this summer!  https://www.mrtf.org/event/turf-and-landscape-field-day/?event_date=2019-07-09   In the landscape track,…Read more about Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day[Read More]


Biology: Purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) is a common winter annual broadleaf weed found throughout the US. It is closely related to another winter annual broadleaf, henbit (Lamium amplexicaule). Both have vibrant purple flowers that can been seen now in lawns, landscapes, and fields.  To see more about henbit, refer to this article from last spring: https://purduelandscapereport.org///article/spotlight-on-weeds-henbit-lamium-amplexicaule/…Read more about Spotlight on Weeds: Purple deadnettle[Read More]


A question that I often receive goes something like…. ‘How do I control grassy weeds in liriope and iris?’ At first glance, it would appear that those ornamental plants are very similar to grasses, but looks may be deceiving as they are actually not grasses.  We know that broadleaf weeds can be controlled in grasses…Read more about Killing Grasses in ‘Grasses’? How to control grasses in non-grassy ornamental plants[Read More]


A new publication for nursery growers has been released!  This publication, a joint venture between Purdue University and Indiana Department of Natural Resources, informs that nursery and landscape industry about new state regulations regarding invasive plants.  The rule goes into effect in two stages. As of April 18, 2019, it is illegal to introduce a…Read more about What Nurseries Need to Know About the Invasive Species Regulation? New Publication for Nursery Growers[Read More]


Q: I’ve attached pictures of the only tree we have on our property. Because it is our only tree, I am deeply concerned with the possibilities of irreparable damage to it. As you can see, one of the branches broke off during a November windstorm. Unfortunately, that left a bare gap on the trunk. Please…Read more about Ornamental Pear Fallout[Read More]


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