The Census of Horticultural Specialties, conducted by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), provides the most comprehensive snapshot of the U.S. Green Industry. Released in February as part of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties captures detailed information on nursery crops, floriculture, greenhouse production, Christmas trees, and other specialty…Read more about The Green Industry in Focus Part 1: National Highlights from the USDA Census of Horticultural Specialties[Read More]
Resources for landscapes and gardens in the Midwest
Landscape Report
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Cut flower production continues to expand rapidly across Indiana, with many farms adding flowers as a high-value crop, an agritourism attraction, or a way to diversify their operations. To better support growers in this emerging sector, Purdue Extension launched a new project to better serve Indiana Cut Flower Farmers, funded by Purdue’s AgSEED program. One…Read more about Free Diagnostic for Cut Flower Samples[Read More]
When talking about invasive species, specialists are most commonly talking about some kind of plant or insect that is making an impact on landscape plants, soil, or hardwood. Most of these species are relatively easy to understand, with a biology that typically resembles that of a native counterpart. Wood-boring insects, vining plants, and fast-growing shrubs…Read more about Keep an eye out for hammerhead worms![Read More]
Scale insects are some of the most common pests sent in for identification from homeowners, arborists, and nurseries. This series will highlight some of the most frequently encountered scales in our region with an emphasis on their identification, biology, potential for damage, and control options. Scales are a type of ‘True Bug’ (Order Hemiptera) and…Read more about Scale Spotlight: Introduction to common scale pests and their management[Read More]
Spring is just around the corner, green spaces are beginning to wake from their winter slumber, Earth Day and Arbor Day are a little over a month away, and people are ready to get outside with planting on their minds. But before you go and get your tree(s) for planting, there is quite a lot…Read more about Urban Tree Spotlight – Planting Deciduous Shade Trees[Read More]
As we step into a new year, the Purdue Landscape Report team is excited to welcome you to the first newsletter of 2026. Whether you are a long-time reader, a landscape professional, an arborist, a nursery grower, or a homeowner invested in the health and beauty of your landscape, we’re glad you’re here. Each year…Read more about Welcome to the 2026 Purdue Landscape Report[Read More]
The 2026 Indiana Green Expo (IGE), held February 9–11 at the Indiana Convention Center, marked another highly successful year for one of the Midwest’s leading educational and networking events for turfgrass, landscape, nursery, and green industry professionals. The Expo drew 1,412 attendees and hosted 113 exhibiting companies, reinforcing its role as a premier regional hub…Read more about 2026 Indiana Green Expo Delivers Strong Educational Impact, Industry Engagement, and Measurable Value[Read More]
An unfortunate question I am sometimes asked is similar to this: “I lost my prized shade tree! What can I plant that will grow fast and give me shade?” While there is no instant fix to this scenario, let’s review a few trees that might be better choices here in northern Indiana. One obstacle to…Read more about Fast-Growing Trees for the Landscape[Read More]
We are often the bearers of bad news when a new exotic insect species is discovered in Indiana. This time, however, we have some good news to share. Agrilus smaragdifrons, a beetle that feeds exclusively on Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), was detected in Indiana last year in Allen County. You might notice that this beetle belongs…Read more about Beetle that attacks Tree-of-Heaven found in Indiana[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 Indiana Nursery & Landscape Association and the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation sponsor the 2026 Indiana Green Expo (IGE). Unlike some for-profit trade shows, all proceeds from the IGE are used directly to better our…Read more about Indiana Green Expo February 9-11, 2026[Read More]
On September 20, 2025 students from Purdue University’s Field Production of Horticultural Crops and Landscape Contracting and Management classes participated in a day-long field trip exploring several key horticultural sites in central and southern Indiana. The courses, both part of Purdue’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, provide students with practical exposure to commercial horticultural…Read more about Purdue Horticulture Students Tour Southern Indiana Green Industry Operations[Read More]
As the Midwest gardening season winds down, there’s still one task that can make a big difference come spring: mulching. Once the soil has cooled but before it freezes, a layer of mulch helps protect plant roots from the freeze-thaw cycles common in Midwestern winters. Mulch stabilizes soil temperatures, conserves moisture, and shields roots from…Read more about Mulching Matters: Autumn Application for Spring Success[Read More]
Fall has arrived! The beautiful foliage that we love to admire this time of year will soon become the yearly chore of managing fallen leaves. You have likely heard the adage “leave the leaves” many times by now. This practice is gaining traction along with many other pollinator-friendly landscape management tactics, such as saving dead…Read more about Leave the leaves – bugs are sleeping![Read More]
As you travel in rural Indiana this time of year, you may happen upon a field of sunflowers. It’s so beautiful that drivers will occasionally pull off on the side of the road and take pictures. Perhaps you grow sunflowers in a more limited capacity in your home garden. Today, we’ll review a few items…Read more about Amazing Sunflowers[Read More]
As emerald ash borer reached its highest populations throughout the landscape in Indiana, Purdue University, partnered with other organizations, helped to spread several messages intended to engage the public in helping limit the movement of the insect. Readers may recall one such message in the form of bumper stickers with the phrase, “Don’t Move the…Read more about October is Firewood Awareness Month![Read More]
Join the Purdue Turf and Landscape Seminar in Person or Virtual – November 19–20, 2025! Advance your expertise, earn pesticide credits, and connect with top Green Industry professionals at this two-day in-person and virtual, live event in West Lafayette, Indiana. Elevate Your Turf and Landscape Game The 2025 Turf and Landscape Seminar, hosted by the…Read more about Purdue Turf and Landscape Seminar: Don’t miss the opportunity to attend in-person or virtual![Read More]
Fall and drought have been nearly synonymous in recent years; 2025 is no different. The September 30 US Drought Monitor, released on October 2, indicated that over 92 percent of the state was categorized as either abnormally dry (D0) or moderate drought (D1), with additional areas classified as severe drought (D2) or extreme drought (D3)…Read more about Drought Conditions Improve in Southern Indiana, Worsen in Northern Areas[Read More]
By now, the emerald ash borer (EAB) invasion is an old story for landscapes and forests in the Midwest. Since EAB was first found in North America in 2002 more millions of ash trees than we can know have died and this tiny insect continues to kill ash in an ever widening zone that currently…Read more about Fungal Decay of Ash Trees[Read More]
It’s finally October, and we should be enjoying lovely fall temps and colors. While some of the trees are changing, it’s not necessarily due to the change in seasons. As I write this, the temperature is 84 F (29 C). I look out my window and see mostly green leaves with some colors from the…Read more about Help Your Trees Transition into Autumn[Read More]
The last week has caused many to struggle with whether to turn the heat on inside. Mornings have been quite chilly, and I am guessing several readers may have also struggled with the decision to wear a jacket as they started their workday. These are tough decisions, no doubt. Several data sources have suggested we…Read more about A false sense of autumn[Read More]
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