Peonies are a springtime showstopper in many Indiana gardens, and fall is the time to plant your own. This publication covers everything from selecting the right site and variety to proper installation and long-term care. Whether you’re starting fresh or adding to an established bed, these tips will help you grow healthy, beautiful peonies. With[Read More…]
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Landscape Report
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We’ve made it! Meteorological summer started on June 1, but the official start of summer isn’t until June 20. The days are longer, temperatures have risen, and my allergies are in full swing. I let the dogs out last night, and there was still quite a bit of light in the sky just before 10:00[Read More…]
Welcome to the start of Hurricane Season that runs from June through November each year. Why would Indiana care about hurricane season? Certainly, by the time any hurricane might impact the state, it will have been greatly downgraded to what is called an extratropical (i.e., poleward of the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° north latitude)) storm[Read More…]
Precipitation in May has varied tremendously, but most of the state has generally been on the dry side. Areas from Vermillion and Parke Counties to Lake Michigan have received between 25% and 75% of the normal precipitation through May 27 (Figure 1). Conditions were dry enough that thunderstorm winds on May 16 prompted the National[Read More…]
Cool, cloudy weather with frequent rainfall and high humidity provides ideal conditions for the development of several diseases, including downy mildew. The fungus-like pathogens that cause downy mildew are commonly known as ‘water molds’ and are classified as oomycetes. Many types of plants are susceptible to downy mildew diseases, including sunflowers, grapevines, impatiens, other ornamentals,[Read More…]
Tree care, in many cases, can be expensive if you require the assistance of an arborist for pruning or removals. Extreme weather events, characterized by extensive rain and wind, can cause damage to the canopy or, in worst-case scenarios, lead to tree failure. In cases of failures, weather is often the final push to already[Read More…]
Don’t miss the 2025 Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day on Tuesday, July 8, at the William H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center in West Lafayette, Indiana. This annual event offers turf and landscape professionals an opportunity to engage with the latest research, technologies, and best practices in the industry. Click here to see[Read More…]
These three maples have somewhat similar-looking leaves. On the surface, you may think this is simply an academic exercise. But if you care about invasive plants and local ecology, this distinction is an important one. Norway maple is an invasive tree species, while sugar and black maples are native tree species (sometimes called hard maples).[Read More…]
The last few weeks have been on the drier side, particularly for northwestern and west-central Indiana (Figure 1). While temperatures have been seasonal, they are still gradually increasing as we approach summer. Therefore, evapotranspiration rates are starting to increase. This has resulted in the U.S. Drought Monitor classifying much of northern Indiana as Abnormally Dry[Read More…]
Sawflies are frequent pests in the landscape that attack a wide variety of plants, from ornamental flowers to large trees. You might start to see them damaging plants around this time of year as the first generations hatch and begin to feed on foliage. They are often mistaken for caterpillars, which are the larval stages[Read More…]
Recently, there has been an uptick in questions related to one of Indiana’s most notorious invasive pests: the emerald ash borer. Homeowners, businesses, even professionals have asked if ash trees are still present in Indiana, and if the insect is still a threat to our ecosystem. Emerald ash borer wreaked significant havoc among Indiana’s hardwoods,[Read More…]
During a nursery inspection in Owen County in 2024, I noticed an unusual yellowing of the leaves on some American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) trees (Fig 1). A look at the underside of the leaves revealed yellow-orange pustules, suggesting a rust fungus. After help from the Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Lab, this fungal pathogen was[Read More…]
Hypoxylon canker is a common disease of mature hardwood trees both in landscapes and in natural wooded areas. The disease, caused by the wood decay fungus Biscogniauxia (formerly Hypoxylon), is most frequently observed in oak tree species, but can also cause dieback in pecan, hickory, golden rain tree, sycamore, maple, beech, birch, elm, willow, basswood,[Read More…]
Midwestern farmers have faced a buildup of pesticide resistance in pigweeds (waterhemp and Palmer amaranth), highlighting the importance of scouting to detect weeds early in their growth stages. Otherwise, weed escapes are a common issue as herbicides lose their efficacy when weeds are allowed to grow long enough into their growth cycle. The Midwestern Regional[Read More…]
Excessive and in some cases, abusive rainfall amounts; keys to soggy turfgrass management; winter injury potential causes and recovery, red thread, spring golf disease prevention Weather Spring, which officially started on March 20, is rolling along, and into mid-April temperatures in the region are ahead of statistical normal, but lagging somewhat behind last year. I[Read More…]
Despite the wet start to the month, the entire state saw less than 50 percent of normal rainfall from April 10 to 16, and in some cases, less than 10 percent of normal rainfall (Figure 1). This was helpful, especially as some locations still deal with river flood warnings and ponded and saturated fields. This[Read More…]
Schneider Nursery is hosting the “Women of the Green Industry” on Thursday, June 19th from 12pm-3 pm. Join the Schneider family and staff for a light lunch, tour of the greenhouse and retail center, and a tour of the growing fields. Hear a brief history of Schneider Nursery from family members while enjoying time with your[Read More…]
Spring is finally here! Everywhere you look, one can find some spring color around. Some of the first plants to peek out of the ground are spring-flowering bulbs like crocus, daffodil, and tulip. But there are some beautiful spring time shrubs you can add to your yard to be the first in the neighborhood with[Read More…]
A perennial edible garden offers an opportunity to integrate beauty and utility. By incorporating fruit trees, berry bushes, and other long-lived edible plants, the home landscape can be both aesthetically pleasing and agriculturally productive. A perennial edible garden not only provides seasonal harvests but also supports local biodiversity. Plan(t) for Success Careful planning and site[Read More…]
The Purdue Horticulture Society embarked on the annual spring trip on March 28-30. This year the club picked Louisville to explore a botanical garden and arboretum. This annual trip provided members with an opportunity to expand their knowledge of horticulture and appreciate the beauty of diverse plant collections. On March 29, the group visited the[Read More…]
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