One of the most common weeds that present significant challenges to both landscapers and growers are thistles. There are several reasons that thistles are difficult to control, including thousands of viable seeds per plant (Fig. 1), rhizomatous growth characteristics (Canada thistle) (Fig. 2), and large root system (Fig. 3). There are three major types of[Read More…]
Resources for landscapes and gardens in the Midwest
Landscape Report
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Have you noticed large, messy webs on trees? You may have seen a colony of fall webworms. These caterpillars hatch in mid-July but tend to become more noticeable as the summer progresses. They often eat branches bare of leaves but are they a threat to tree health? What do they look like? Fall webworms[Read More…]
This spring the PPDL received several samples, calls and emails related to dying weeping cherry trees (Fig. 1, 2, 3). Reports of this phenomenon came from as far away as Missouri. Ornamental cherry trees (and related Prunus spp.) are susceptible to multiple problems, including southwest injury (Fig. 4) Botryosphaeria dieback/canker (Fig. 5), bacterial canker and[Read More…]
The Purdue Landscape Report Team is excited to offer you an online learning opportunity on Wednesday, August 19th at 12:00 pm (Eastern) via Zoom and Facebook Live. This is part of our on-going, biweekly series. The topics and speakers will vary each session, so check out the newsletter every two weeks to find out what[Read More…]
Plants that experience extremes in soil moisture may develop spots on their leaves, called “oedema” (also spelled “edema”). The spots may first appear as a blister or raised spot, particularly on the undersides of leaves, but may occur on the top side as well as on the stems. Eventually, the blister develops a rust-colored, cork-like[Read More…]
Hollyhock (Alcea spp.), an anchor plant for the back of the cottage garden, bloom mid-summer with numerous flowers on tall spikes, providing beauty for us, and food for bees, hummingbirds and butterflies. The most common varieties are biennial, taking two years to complete their lifecycle, although some persist as short-lived perennials. Fortunately, they are prolific[Read More…]
The Purdue Landscape Report Team began a new, free online series that will continue Wednesday (Aug. 5th) and follow the day after the newsletter every two weeks at noon (Eastern time zone). The topics and speakers will vary each session, so check out the newsletter every two weeks to find out what follows the next[Read More…]
Preemergence herbicides should be the primary tool for a landscape weed control program. The primary reasons to develop a strong preemergence herbicide program are 1) Decreased phytotoxicity (plant damage) to landscape plants and 2) Reducing the amount of times required to visit a property. With the difficulty of attracting quality labor in our industry, time[Read More…]
Willows (Salix spp.) can be beautiful additions to the landscape. These iconic trees can be found growing naturally in river bottoms, along ponds, rivers, and streams; all areas with consistently moist soil. In the landscape, where soil moisture is much more variable, willows can be stressed by drought, increasing damage from a number of canker[Read More…]
The Purdue Landscape Report Team will begin a new, free online series that will start tomorrow (July 22) and follow the day after the newsletter every two weeks at noon Eastern time zone. The topics and speakers will vary each session, so check out the newsletter every two weeks to find out what follows the[Read More…]
Several caterpillar pests feed on trees and shrubs in July. Although most trees can tolerate some defoliation, the injury can be unsightly for much of the summer. Damage to plants can be reduced by timely applications of insecticides. Proper choice of insecticides can reduce impacts on pollinators and natural enemies of spider mites that do[Read More…]
Hot, dry summers are not that unusual in the Midwest, but 2020’s hot dry spell started considerably earlier than usual, before summer even officially began! To make it a triple whammy, the hard freeze in early May caused some landscape plants to burn up more stored carbohydrate reserves to produce a second round of foliage.[Read More…]
Slime flux (also known as wet wood) is a dark, foul-smelling and unsightly seepage of sap from tree trunks (fig. 1). The disease is not usually a serious problem but the appearance can be alarming. Slime flux is caused by common surface-inhabiting bacteria or yeast fungi that enter the trunk through wounds associated with improper[Read More…]
Don’t miss the opportunity to virtually attend the annual Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day! For the first time, we are offering cutting edge research and updated best management practices online. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Green industry professionals from landscape firms, lawn care companies, golf courses, sports turf companies, garden centers and more are invited[Read More…]
Late frosts and wet weather were especially hard on oaks this spring. Surviving leaves on many oaks did not grow normally. Sustained warm weather in the summer will allow oaks to grow past their injury and thrive. Oak tatters is a common response to cold snaps in the late spring. Leaf growth is distorted. Affected[Read More…]
Many are familiar with Rhizosphaera needlecast of spruce. If you aren’t, please see these two articles by Janna Beckerman and Megan Haas for more information about the disease and it’s management on spruce. The common name for the disease, needlecast, describes the ultimate fate of the needles: they are cast off. Loss of leaves or[Read More…]
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