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The dead lower branches in these Austrian pines (Fig. 1) are due to Diplodia (= Sphaeropsis) tip blight.  The causal fungus infects newly elongating shoots, in late spring, resulting in stunting and death of the new growth (Fig. 2).  Black spore-bearing structures of the causal fungus are formed at the base of the stunted brown…Read more about Diplodia Tip Blight[Read More]


A workhorse of the shade garden, impatiens, also called ‘Busy Lizzies’ delight people by their amazing ability to brighten up shady sites. Downy mildew, caused by the water mold Plasmopara obducens put a damper on things for almost a decade. This downy mildew infects impatiens (Impatiens walleriana), or balsam impatiens (Impatiens basamina). New Guinea impatiens and…Read more about Impatient for new impatiens![Read More]


Trees in our cities and towns beautify our urban landscapes, but they are more than just a pretty face. Their functional values are becoming increasingly more important in the midst of climate change and disappearing urban forests and woodlots.


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]


The urban environment is tough for growing trees and our changing climate is going to make it even tougher. Planting trees is part of the solution, but not the answer. We can’t just keep planting trees; we have to start growing and sustaining existing trees.


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]




Biology: Common mallow (Malva neglecta), also known as cheese mallow, cheese weed, and dwarf mallow, is a winter annual broadleaf weed, though it can also act as a biennial if environmental conditions that favor growth persist. It is generally found in low-maintenance turfgrass lawns, nursery crops, and landscapes. The ability of common mallow to survive in…Read more about Spotlight on Weeds: Common Mallow (Malva neglecta)[Read More]


Registration is now open for a great deal on early-bird registration at the Indiana Green Expo.  This event is Indiana’s largest, most comprehensive green industry event of the year!  Offering over 75 educational seminars plus a Spanish track, certification opportunities, in-depth workshops, numerous CEUs and CCHs to be earned, and a two-day trade show!  You don’t…Read more about Register Now for Indiana Green Expo-The Largest and Most Comprehensive Green Industry Educational Event in Indiana[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]



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 about If it Doesn’t Hurt Your Heart, it Will Feel Like a Kick in the Butt – Wood Decaying Fungi[Read More]


Some say they feel a sharp bite on arms or legs but then have to search to find the cause. What they find is a very tiny black bug, almost too small to cause such a bite. Rest assured, however, that these are the culprits. Think of them as – a big bite in a…Read more about Tiny Little Black Bugs that Deliver a Big Bite![Read More]


As a follow-up to our Horticultural Economist’s, Dr. Ariana Torres, previous research into business and marketing practices of landscape firms across the U.S (https://purduelandscapereport.org//article/2175/), she also co-authored another publication evaluating the business and owner characteristics influencing the adoption of online advertising strategies in the Green Industry.  More information can be found below. As more individuals…Read more about Evaluating the Business and Owner Characteristics Influencing the Adoption of Online Advertising Strategies in the Green Industry[Read More]


If your hostas are looking a little ratty recently you’re not alone (all the photos here are from my garden). Hostas at this time of year tend to have marginal scorch, dieback, leaf spotting and yellowing . A variety of factors may contribute to these symptoms including environment, diseases and insect pests. Anthracnose, caused by…Read more about Hosta – Late Summer Decline[Read More]


This year has been a rollercoaster of good (e.g. continued progress on the long term fight against emerald ash borer) and bad (e.g. sudden oak death potentially being introduced into the Midwest) news about invasive species. There’s been a lot to keep track of, but don’t worry if you’ve missed anything. You can learn all…Read more about Update on invasive pests new and old[Read More]


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