This is a follow up post to my popular article 20 Common Spring Weeds in Ontario. There has been much interest out there for an expanded list of weeds. Following are 20 common summer weeds here in Ontario with photos, tips on how to identify them and how to control them. While there is plenty of overlap between spring, summer and fall weeds with some … Continue reading 20 Common Summer Weeds In Ontario
The word Geranium, scientifically speaking, is a genus of perennials commonly called cranesbill. The word geranium also commonly refers to a large group of annual geraniums scientifically known as Pelargoniums, Pronunciation: pe-lar-GO-nee-um. The 2 genera were originally grouped together taxonomically, but in 1789 they were divided into 2 separate genera. However, pelargoniums continue to be commonly called geraniums to this day and are the main … Continue reading Choosing the Right Geranium (Pelargonium) for Your Home Garden
Pruning roses is very intimidating to many gardeners but it needn’t be. You don’t need to be a rosarian and know all the rose categories and classes in order to prune roses. What is most important to know is whether it is a repeat bloomer or once bloomer, whether it blooms on old wood, new wood or both, whether it is a bush or a … Continue reading Pruning Roses
Needle cast is a fungal disease of coniferous trees that causes the inner needles to turn brown and fall off the tree (cast off). The disease typically begins on the lower and inner branches, where there is more shading, less air flow and more moisture. The disease then gradually works its way up the tree. After repeated infections, trees begin looking thin and sparce, with … Continue reading Needle Cast Diseases of Spruce
Black Vine Weevils (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) are a serious insect pest of many broad leaf plants, both woody and non-woody. Although the genus Otiorhynchus consists of hundreds of species, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (the black vine weevil) is believed to be the most destructive and widely spread, especially in the home landscape. The adult beetles feed on foliage, but their feeding damage is only considered to be cosmetic. … Continue reading Black Vine Weevils
Usually, when there is a problem with your yew (Taxus) the first symptom you will observe is a yellowing of the needles. Yellowing needles however can be caused by a variety of things such as the soil being too wet or too dry, disease, insect pests, winter desiccation, salt damage, animal grazing, animal urine, transplant shock, nutritional deficiency or too high or too low of … Continue reading Yew Pests and Diseases
Peony Insect Pests Foliar Nematodes Foliar nematodes are microscopic organisms that feed within plant tissue. They require a layer of moisture in order to move about on the outside plant surfaces. The species that infects peony is Aphelenchoides fragariae, commonly known as the Strawberry Leaf Nematode. First symptoms appear as bud blast, where infect buds fail to open. If you cut open the suspected bud … Continue reading Peony Pests and Diseases
Insect Pests of Hosta Leaf Nematodes Leaf nematodes are microscopic round worm that enter stomatal openings on hosta leaves to feed on the inside of the leaves. They are unable to cross the veins from inside the leaf and must exit the leaf to cross the barrier or to move to another section of the leaf. They require a layer of moisture in order to … Continue reading Hosta Pests and Diseases
Oak Sawflies are tiny fly-like, nonstinging wasps. The short-lived adults feed on pollen and nectar and do not cause any feeding damage, but their caterpillar-like larvae, on mass, can create extensive damage to oak canopies. There are several species of Oak Sawflies such as scarlet oak sawfly (Caliroa quercuscoccineae) which is native to the eastern United States and feeds on white oak, scarlet oak, pin … Continue reading Oak Sawflies
The black and yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia) goes by many names including writing spider, zipper spider, black and yellow Argiope, golden orb-weaver, and corn spider. The names describe the appearance of the mature female, the web design or where the spider is commonly found. This is one of the larger orb-weaving spiders whose females can measure over 7.5cm (3″) at maturity, (including legs). The … Continue reading Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider
Pear slugs or pear sawfly (Caliroa cerasi), are also known as cherry slugs. They are pests of several fruit trees primarily pear and cherry (including purple leaved sand cherry), but also plum, quince, serviceberry, Juneberry and occasionally apple. They also feed on a few ornamentals such as cotoneaster, hawthorn, buttonbush, and mountain ash. Pear slugs are not actually slugs but rather the slug-like larvae of a … Continue reading Pear Slugs (Caliroa cerasi) on Purple Leaved Sand Cherry
Tar spot is a common fungal disease of maple trees. The fungus attacks maple leaves in the spring causing pale spots that continue to grow in size, turning yellow then eventually to raised black spots by fall. The black spots look like spots of tar on the leaves, and thus its name. There are several species of tar spot that affect maples, with the 3 … Continue reading Tar Spot on Maple Leaves
Hydrangea Wood Borers tunnel through the inside of stems, branches, trunks and larger roots, damaging the vascular system that is essential for the transportation of food and water for the plant. This causes wilting and yellow of leaves as well as branch and stem dieback. In small numbers they are easy to control simply by pruning back affected wood to healthy tissue. In large numbers … Continue reading Hydrangea Wood Borers
Voles are small mouse-like rodents that can be highly destructive to lawns, ornamental gardens, vegetable gardens, orchards, forests and some field crops. They tunnel around underground creating an elaborate network of tunnels from which they use to feed on roots, tubers, and bulbs. Above ground they feed on seeds, berries, fruits, vegetables, herbs, grasses and other vegetation. In the fall they switch to eating the … Continue reading Identifying Vole Presence and Damage
Rudbeckias with their daisy-like flowers and long blooming time are real work horses in the mid-summer to mid-fall gardens. They are all native to North America, easy to grow and relatively disease and pest free. There are 25 species in all with many varieties and cultivars offering a range of colours from bright yellow, through to orange, even red, burgundy and bi-coloured. Height can range … Continue reading Rudbeckias
Trees and Shrubs Pruning wrapped up in the first half of Sept. Efforts this month involve helping the trees and shrubs to prepare for winter. Perennial Annuals Weeds Turf Misc. Photo credits: all photos taken by the author. All rights reserved Terms of use Continue reading Ornamental Garden Calendar for November
Rudbeckia are known for being real work horses in the mid-summer to mid-fall garden. They are also known for being low maintenance and fairly pest and disease free. However, there are a few leaf spot diseases that can greatly mar the appearance of Rudbeckia, especially certain species, varieties or cultivars. Following are the leaf spot diseases to watch for on your Rudbeckia plants. Septoria Leaf … Continue reading Leaf Spot Diseases of Rudbeckia
Trees and Shrubs Perennials Annuals Can be removed when they are looking worn and tattered. Lawns Weeds Miscellaneous Photo credits: all photos taken by the author. All rights reserved Terms of use Continue reading Ornamental Garden Calendar for October
Trees and Shrubs Perennials Annuals Weeds Lawns Miscellaneous Photo credits: all photos taken by the author. All rights reserved Terms of use Continue reading Ornamental Garden Calendar For September
The word fasciation comes from the Latin word fascia, to fuse, and that is often what this growth abnormality looks like. Affected stems, fruit or flowers appear as though 2 or more have been fused or banded together. At times the unusual new growth looks quite spectacular and unique, and breeders attempt to reproduce the effect. At other times affected plant material appears grotesque and … Continue reading Fasciation Causes Unusual Growth of Flowers, Stems, or Fruit
Horticulture For Home Gardeners 