Resources for landscapes and gardens in the Midwest
Landscape Report
Trees, Shrubs, Vines
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…]
Hunting for mushrooms is a fun past-time, even if you are not looking for edible fungi to “spice” up your cooking. However, when you see a fungal invader popping up in your lawn or landscape, they tend to be unwelcome inhabitants because they are launching sticky spore masses onto your siding, producing foul odors (Figure[Read More…]
If you’re looking to add native shrubs to your home landscape, fall is an excellent time to look for those with good fall color. While many factors affect the display of fall color, there are a number of native shrub species that perform reliably in our area. Here’s a short list to consider including their[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…]
Have you ever noticed the fuzzy growth (Fig1) on the underside of an oak or sycamore leaf and wondered what was wrong with the tree? Fuzzy mats of hairy growth on the underside of tree leaves (Fig 2) are often mistaken for a plant disease or insect problem. In actuality, the whitish-tan fuzzy growth is[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…]
What is your go-to postemergence herbicide? If you answered Roundup (glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup), you would be in the majority for landscape and nursery professionals. Though glyphosate works very well on most weed species, there are times when other products may be more effective or offer a less phtytotoxic (damage to ornamental[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…]
Ornamental dogwoods are prone to several leaf spot diseases, but the fungus, Septoria, is commonly found in Indiana. It causes angular, brown lesions bordered by a purplish color on the leaf. The leaf spot symptoms are similar to dogwood anthracnose, however, Septoria does not infect the twigs or branches so it is a much less[Read More…]
Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) is a low growing native shrub that is valued for its adaptability to many soil types, wet or dry conditions, easy care as a ground cover, and for preventing erosion on slopes. It is often found in highway medians (Fig. 1), in parks or as a foundation planting around commercial buildings.[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…]
Although most cities contain an Elm Street, very few cities can claim having mature American elms on that street, or any other. The American elm was a premier street tree: Tolerant of compacted soil, fast growing, long-lived, and with a beautiful vase-shaped form. It’s very popularity led to its downfall. The introduction of Dutch elm[Read More…]
Like anthracnose diseases of other shade trees, sycamore anthracnose is a very common occurrence in the landscape (Figure 1). Symptoms of sycamore anthracnose normally develop as small spots or dead areas centered along the veins of leaves or along leaf margins (Figure 2). Under conducive conditions these spots expand, killing more leaf tissue and causing[Read More…]
Sign-up to receive email news and alerts from Purdue Landscape Working Group:
