Resources for landscapes and gardens in the Midwest
Landscape Report
Found 520 Articles
Usage of mulch at the base of trees is a very common and recommended practice to protect the trunk from mower damage, as well as improve root conditions by preventing weed and grass growth in the root zone. Mulch also increases moisture retention in the soil, and improves soil quality as it breaks down over[Read More…]
Plant pathology is the study of plant diseases. In my career, I’ve studied or witnessed the plant disease epidemics of chestnut blight, Dutch elm disease, sudden oak death, soybean rust, and many more. I am not comparing these to the current pandemic of Covid-19. It doesn’t compare. Please understand this is just an opportunity for[Read More…]
Most gardeners have heard of the wise advice “leaves of three, let it be” referring to the pest plant poison ivy. While not quite as catchy, the saying really should be “leaflets of three, let it be.” Poison ivy leaves are compound rather than simple – a single leaf is divided into three separate portions,[Read More…]
Biology: Wild Garlic (Allium vineale) is a monocotyledonous cool-season perennial that can be found throughout most of the eastern and southern United States. Despite having linear leaves and parallel veins, wild garlic is neither a grass nor a sedge; it is a member of the lily family. Wild garlic is more noticeable in the winter and[Read More…]
This Nootka falsecypress (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) is showing severe dieback throughout much of the tree (fig. 1 and 2). The primary pathogen present is a fungus in the genus Diplodia. Small twigs are infected first, which eventually leads to dieback of larger branches (fig. 3). Note the spherical black spore bearing structures (pycnidia) at the base[Read More…]
This winter has been very mild, especially compared to last year. With the mild temperatures throughout the season, most plants have accumulated enough growing degree days to start bud break when temperatures become favorable. Utilizing the Spring Leaf Index, via the United States National Phenology Network (USNPN), spring has been trending 10-20+ days early this[Read More…]
When houseplants and garden seedlings are kept too wet, roots can rot and the fungus that grows in the soil can feed fungus gnats. For houseplants, fungus gnats are usually just a nuisance. When growing seedlings or in a greenhouse adults can spread fungal diseases to flowers. Larvae can spread fungal diseases when they feed[Read More…]
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…]
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…]
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…]
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…]
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…]
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…]
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