Pruning Roses
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… Continue reading Pruning Roses
Needle Cast Diseases of Spruce
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.… Continue reading Needle Cast Diseases of Spruce
Black Vine Weevils
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,… Continue reading Black Vine Weevils
Yew Pests and Diseases
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… Continue reading Yew Pests and Diseases
Peony 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… Continue reading Peony Pests and Diseases
Hosta 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… Continue reading Hosta Pests and Diseases
Oak Sawflies
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… Continue reading Oak Sawflies
Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider
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… Continue reading Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider
Pear Slugs (Caliroa cerasi) on Purple Leaved Sand Cherry
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… Continue reading Pear Slugs (Caliroa cerasi) on Purple Leaved Sand Cherry
Tar Spot on Maple Leaves
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… Continue reading Tar Spot on Maple Leaves
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Horticulture For Home Gardeners 