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Jessica Schwartz
Purdue’s Plant Doctor Helps Identify, Diagnose, & Report Pests
Now there’s a new tool to help diagnose landscape plant problems. The Purdue Plant Doctor website, co-created by Purdue University professors Cliff Sadof and Janna Beckerman, aids in diagnosing and managing thousands of plant health problems (insect, disease, and other biotic or abiotic conditions) on over 250 species of the most common Midwest land Northeast U.S. landscape plants. The website has thousands of accurately identified and curated, high-resolution color photos, and current recommendations to help educate yourself or your clients regarding important plant health management decisions. The website was also designed to have all its critical information and photos in a mobile friendly format—so it can be freely accessed, downloaded, and shared via text, email, or even on social media platforms. All of this can be done in a matter of minutes with a few short clicks. Plant ID & Making A Diagnosis The welcome page offers you the choice to enter what you think may be the problem, allowing you to by-pass the menu-based diagnosis process. If the plant name is entered into the text box, the site will provide a list of the most common problems affecting that host. Scrolling through the list takes you directly to the topic of interest. You can click directly on the type of host plant (broadleaf tree, shrub, vine; evergreen tree and shrub; flowers) if it is known. Doing so will enable you to be guided through a visual menu of plant hosts, with a diagnostic thumbnail to assist in correctly ...
Late Summer Tree Care
Late summer is a good time to look for potential problems in your customers’ landscapes. Early leaf color changes or drop, galls on external tree tissues, and caterpillar webs are three of the possible things that may be affecting your customers’ trees and shrubs. But before you start up the chainsaw and chipper in despair, recognize that not all stress symptoms are a death sentence for the plant. Early Leaf Color Changes. We look forward to a good fall foliage color display in October and November, but what if those colors appear early—in August or September? Premature color change can be an indication that a tree is lacking the vigor to withstand insects and disease organisms that may attack it—or there could be environmental imbalances as well. Heat, drought, and drying winds affect trees, causing leaf color changes as a response to stress. Are there only one or two branches affected? This could be a sign of a disease at work, especially if the affected leaves also have dark spots or are discolored. The more common situation is for the entire tree to exhibit premature fall coloration, a phenomenon usually linked to root-related stress. And to complicate the diagnostic process further, there are several tree species genetically programmed to go dormant during hot summer months and drop browning, curled leaves in response to heat stress. The best way to counter early leaf stress symptoms is to know which tree species you are working with. Are those curled, brown leaves on ...
Late Summer Tree Care
Late summer is a good time to look for potential problems in your customers’ landscapes. Early leaf color changes or drop, galls on external tree tissues, and caterpillar webs are three of the possible things that may be affecting your customers’ trees and shrubs. But before you start up the chainsaw and chipper in despair, recognize that not all stress symptoms are a death sentence for the plant. Early Leaf Color Changes. We look forward to a good fall foliage color display in October and November, but what if those colors appear early—in August or September? Premature color change can be an indication that a tree is lacking the vigor to withstand insects and disease organisms that may attack it—or there could be environmental imbalances as well. Heat, drought, and drying winds affect trees, causing leaf color changes as a response to stress. Are there only one or two branches affected? This could be a sign of a disease at work, especially if the affected leaves also have dark spots or are discolored. The more common situation is for the entire tree to exhibit premature fall coloration, a phenomenon usually linked to root-related stress. And to complicate the diagnostic process further, there are several tree species genetically programmed to go dormant during hot summer months and drop browning, curled leaves in response to heat stress. The best way to counter early leaf stress symptoms is to know which tree species you are working with. Are those curled, brown leaves on ...
Seven New Shrubs For Spring
What shrubs will enliven landscapes in 2021? Proven Winners, a leading worldwide plant brand, has launched its introductions for the year. And while the colorful blooms of annuals and perennials are always dazzling, here are just a few shrub introductions that also caught our eye. 1. For Tough Spots. Tortuga™ Juniperus communis. Proven Winners calls it “one of the toughest evergreens we offer” and a “sun-loving evergreen transforms difficult spots into a carpet of green.” A low-mounded groundcover, it withstands cold, sun, drought, deer, rabbits, air pollution, and even black walnut trees. (Zones 2-7.) 2. For Space Saving Hedge. Fine Line® Improved Buckthorn. A new lush and full (all the way to the ground) version of the best selling hedge known for its space-saving and setting of far fewer fruits than weedy buckthorns. (Zones 2-7.) 3. For Fragrance. Baby Kim® Lilac. Fragrance and bloom abundance in a new smaller package. 24”-36” height and 30”-36” spread. (Zones 3-8.) Or for old fashioned charm, the Illuminati Arch® Mockorange’s “never-before-seen” space saving habit and better foliage avoid its traditionally “messy” appearance while retaining romantic white flowers and sweet orange blossom fragrance. (Zones 4-7.) 4. For Wow Factor. The Velvet Fog® Smokebush. More big, showy, smoky seedheads in summer than conventional smokebush. Red-pink plumes contrast with blue-green foliage. Works as a specimen or hedge, due to full branching and form. (Zones 4-8.) 5. For Shade Tolerance. Stonehenge Dark Druid® Yew. A new ...
Seven New Shrubs For Spring
What shrubs will enliven landscapes in 2021? Proven Winners, a leading worldwide plant brand, has launched its introductions for the year. And while the colorful blooms of annuals and perennials are always dazzling, here are just a few shrub introductions that also caught our eye. 1. For Tough Spots. Tortuga™ Juniperus communis. Proven Winners calls it “one of the toughest evergreens we offer” and a “sun-loving evergreen transforms difficult spots into a carpet of green.” A low-mounded groundcover, it withstands cold, sun, drought, deer, rabbits, air pollution, and even black walnut trees. (Zones 2-7.) 2. For Space Saving Hedge. Fine Line® Improved Buckthorn. A new lush and full (all the way to the ground) version of the best selling hedge known for its space-saving and setting of far fewer fruits than weedy buckthorns. (Zones 2-7.) 3. For Fragrance. Baby Kim® Lilac. Fragrance and bloom abundance in a new smaller package. 24”-36” height and 30”-36” spread. (Zones 3-8.) Or for old fashioned charm, the Illuminati Arch® Mockorange’s “never-before-seen” space saving habit and better foliage avoid its traditionally “messy” appearance while retaining romantic white flowers and sweet orange blossom fragrance. (Zones 4-7.) 4. For Wow Factor. The Velvet Fog® Smokebush. More big, showy, smoky seedheads in summer than conventional smokebush. Red-pink plumes contrast with blue-green foliage. Works as a specimen or hedge, due to full branching and form. (Zones 4-8.) 5. For Shade Tolerance. Stonehenge Dark Druid® Yew. A new ...
8 Climate-Smart Plants For Northern New England
As every landscaper knows, factors like humidity, rainfall, and length of seasons determine what to plant and when to plant it. But what do you do when these key elements begin to shift? Changing climate zones and weather conditions are an unfortunate reality for today’s landscapers and their clients. Northern New England currently has a humid continental climate, but, as the northern U.S. warms faster than any other region, the conditions in this zone change year by year. In fact, while Northern New England’s hardiness zones currently range from 3 to 7, they are projected to range from 4 to 8 in 2040; increasing by an entire zone — that’s about 5˚. It may not seem like a lot, but 5˚ can be detrimental to the survival of many plants that previously thrived in New England. Climate change makes it increasingly important to consider plants that can withstand changing weather conditions in any gardening or landscaping work. Wollaston Development, a Greater Boston-based site development and property design company, has developed a list of climate-smart plants to not only build a long lasting and beautiful landscape, but to support local ecosystems as well. As climate change affects native plant life in New England, plant life in turn affects the native animals who depend on them to survive. While some property owners have turned to non-native plants that fare well in New England’s changing climate, these plants can sometimes hurt local ecosystems by becoming invasive and increasing harmful pests including ticks. As ...
8 Climate-Smart Plants For Northern New England
As every landscaper knows, factors like humidity, rainfall, and length of seasons determine what to plant and when to plant it. But what do you do when these key elements begin to shift? Changing climate zones and weather conditions are an unfortunate reality for today’s landscapers and their clients. Northern New England currently has a humid continental climate, but, as the northern U.S. warms faster than any other region, the conditions in this zone change year by year. In fact, while Northern New England’s hardiness zones currently range from 3 to 7, they are projected to range from 4 to 8 in 2040; increasing by an entire zone — that’s about 5˚. It may not seem like a lot, but 5˚ can be detrimental to the survival of many plants that previously thrived in New England. Climate change makes it increasingly important to consider plants that can withstand changing weather conditions in any gardening or landscaping work. Wollaston Development, a Greater Boston-based site development and property design company, has developed a list of climate-smart plants to not only build a long lasting and beautiful landscape, but to support local ecosystems as well. As climate change affects native plant life in New England, plant life in turn affects the native animals who depend on them to survive. While some property owners have turned to non-native plants that fare well in New England’s changing climate, these plants can sometimes hurt local ecosystems by becoming invasive and increasing harmful pests including ticks. As ...
Fall Fertilization Of Trees & Shrubs
Just like turf, trees and shrubs are healthiest when the soil in which they are growing has sufficient nutrients and conditions to promote root development. With cooler temperatures and seasonal rainfall, roots of woody plants tend to grow at a higher rate in the fall than in the summer. This new fine root development allows for an increase in water and nutrient uptake. Nutrients taken up in the fall months are stored and ready to relocate to the leaves next spring. For this reason, fall is an excellent time to fertilize woody plants. With concerns about the environmental impact of excess fertilizers and the high costs of some nutrients, professional arborists are promoting the use of “prescription fertilization.” This is the process of establishing goals for fertilization, collecting samples for soil and/or foliar nutrient analysis, and applying only deficient nutrients during the fertilizer application. Goals are based on what the client expects to achieve with the fertilizer. These include promoting growth, overcoming nutrient deficiencies, maintaining health, replacing nutrients lost to leaf raking and removal, and/or increasing disease resistance. Identifying goals provides direction on the type and amount of fertilization. Soil & Foliar Samples Soil samples are the most common type of analysis arborists use to determine tree and shrub nutrient needs. Soil samples are collected from the area beneath the tree or shrub crown. The depth of sampling is based on the area where fine roots are in their highest concentration—in most areas, this is the upper 6” of ...
Can I Still Plant? First Frost & Fall Establishment
Most regions of the U.S., with a few exceptions, have experienced their first frost of the season by now. And landscapers are among that select group of people for whom that first dip into freezing temperatures means more than just it’s going to be a chilly day. An avid gardener, I watch that daily high and low with an eagle eye every fall and spring. On more than one occasion, I’ve had to drop everything and make it a priority to move all my pots indoors for the season. As a result, I’ve come to view that 32 degrees F with a sort of mysticism. It seems a dark magic must be at work to transform a vibrant, huge coleus one day into a wilted mess the very next. So what does first frost actually mean and does it end the planting season? Fall Frost Forecasts According to the National Weather Service (NOAA), hitting 32 degrees and first frost in the fall aren’t necessarily synonymous. “Frost can occur when the temperature falls below 36°F, especially in rural areas. It is a localized phenomena and can be quite variable across a small area. While the National Weather Service does not keep track of ‘frost’ in observations per se, we do keep track of when temperatures hit the freezing mark or fall below. Frost becomes more widespread when the temperature falls below 32°F with some freeze possible. A hard freeze is possible when temperatures fall below 28°F.” Here’s a breakdown of NOAA ...
