Resources for landscapes and gardens in the Midwest
Volutella stem and leaf blight, caused by the fungal pathogen Coccinonectria pachysandricola (=Volutella pachysandricola), can cause major damage to Pachysandra – destroying large areas in a bed. (Fig 1) Infected leaves first develop tan or brown blotches with dark brown margins, which expand, often with concentric lighter and darker target-like zones. (Figs 2a,b) Stem and[Read More…]
It is easy to confuse Hemlock (Tsuga spp.) and Yew (Taxus spp.) unless you can see the overall plant habit or have them both side by side. Further confusing them is that both species may be pruned into hedges or other shapes that obscure the natural plant habits. Hemlock has short needles, 1/4 – 3/4″[Read More…]
Fungal diseases of ornamentals will always be a limitation to profitable plant production and management—how significant that limitation is in your hands. Fungicides are effective in reducing the risk of loss– in numbers, in quality and in terms of aesthetics. However, fungicide costs in terms of product cost, number of applications and labor need to[Read More…]
When emerald ash borer swept through the Midwest it left three kinds of ash trees in its wake: the dead, the dying, and the diligently protected and thriving. The hunt was on for ways to stop this insect and save North America’s ash trees. Now, nearly 20 years later, not only do we have tools[Read More…]
A look back at the past year may help us be alert to problems ahead. Here’s a summary of the most common problems received in the diagnostic lab on woody ornamentals in 2018. As is typical for most years there were more non-disease (abiotic) problems than infectious (biotic) diseases found on PPDL lab samples in[Read More…]
The Professional Landscape Management School is held annually in Evansville, IN. The two day conference for Green Industry professionals focuses on current, research-based best management practices. Leading experts and specialists will be speaking on various topics, such as insect and pest management, plant health care, weed control, and more. Continuing educational credits will be requested[Read More…]
The 2019 Indiana Arborist Association Annual Conference will be held in Indianapolis at the Indianapolis Marriott East, January 22-24th, 2019. The IAA and our partners will be offering a full 3-day program with educational opportunities and trade show for anyone involved in planning, planting or managing trees in the built environment. The conference proceedings will[Read More…]
This short course has been cancelled for these dates. We’re working on a new set of dates to offer this program, so keep checking back with www.PurdueLandscapeReport.org for updated information. The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Short Course is an immersive, condensed, intensive entry-level educational experience for personnel in the Controlled Environment industry, as well as those with CEA[Read More…]
This short course has been cancelled for these dates. We’re working on a new set of dates to offer this program, so keep checking back with www.PurdueLandscapeReport.org for updated information. The Landscape Management Short Course is an immersive, condensed, intensive entry-level educational experience for personnel in the Green industry, as well as those with experience[Read More…]
The Indiana Green Expo is Indiana’s largest and most comprehensive Green Industry educational conference and trade show serving Indiana and the Midwest. The 2019 Indiana Green Expo (IGE) is sponsored by the Indiana Nursery & Landscape Association and the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation. Unlike some for-profit trade shows, all proceeds from the IGE are used[Read More…]
Boxwoods have so many pests it’s a wonder we continue to grow them. On top of boxwood mites, psyllids, and leafminers boxwood blight has been spreading since 2011. Boxwoods are special though so we work to protect them from each new threat. That work will get harder if box tree moth gets established in North[Read More…]
Biology: Common chickweed (Stellaria media) is a winter annual broadleaf weed. In lawns, it forms dense, prostrate patches throughout North America, but can grow relatively tall in the landscape. Common chickweed germinates from seed in late summer or early fall. However, germination timings can vary throughout the year if conditions are shady, and moist enough. Identification: Common[Read More…]
The time is now to start protecting your trees! Now that your ears are perked up, let’s talk a bit about Southwest injury on trees. Bark cracking (Fig.1) is a phenomenon that occurs in many species of trees and can have many causes. One of the most common types of bark cracking is termed Southwest[Read More…]
The DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology has discovered that a shipment of boxwood plants infected with boxwood blight was shipped to Indiana in May. This is important because boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata) is a fungal disease that infests members of the popular Buxaceae family, and is often transported through the nursery trade. Hosts[Read More…]
Burning bush is so named for its brilliant red foliage display in autumn. But we sometimes get questions asking why their shrub fails to color up, with leaves that remain green until they drop from the plant. Fall color or lack thereof is affected by a number of factors, including genetics of the plant and[Read More…]
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