The Mealybug Destroyer
Scouting is an important part of keeping pests in check and gardeners are often up to the task. As you routinely enjoy the beauty of your ornamental and edible plants, you are likely to catch a pest sighting before it gets out of control. One insect that may trick...
Pine Bark Beetles – With Warming Weather Comes More Activity
Pine bark beetles can cause the loss of multiple pines in a landscape. Learn to recognize the symptoms of bark beetle attacks in pines and remove trees that have become infested. Preventative insecticides will not work once the tree is colonized. Preventing damage and stress to pines in the landscape is a key preventative measure to avoid bark beetle issues. Bark beetles are most active in the spring through fall and go dormant in the winter. Spots from the previous year can reactivate in the following spring. Identify trees that show symptoms and use removal and preventative treatments to minimize further tree loss to bark beetles.
Tis the Season for Plant Dieback – Here’s How to React
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve had multiple questions regarding trees and shrubs that aren’t looking too hot. These types of calls are common this time of year – it has gotten hot and dry, and plants have fully emerged from winter, causing issues that have been...
Funny Looking Growth on Azalea and Camellia Leaves
Q. Some of the leaves on my azalea and/or camellia are swollen and light green. What caused this? A. This is caused by a fungus that has been relatively common this spring. The fungus Exobasidium vaccinii causes leaves and flowers to become swollen or thickened,...
Daylilies in the Landscape
Overview of Daylilies Spring has begun, and the flowers are making their debut en masse. The daylily is an exceptionally versatile plant that grows in various colors, shapes, and habitats (Hemerocallis spp.). This plant garners its name from a combination of Greek...
Tiny Beetles by the Window
They've mostly all moved away for now, but every winter and early spring the office gets questions about tiny beetles in homes. These beetles are small with spotty color patterns. The answer is carpet beetles. Carpet may be in their name, but it may not be their...
Invasive ‘Yellow-Legged Hornet’ Poses Threat to Honey Bees
A concerning discovery has emerged in Savannah, Georgia, regarding the yellow-legged hornet, commonly known as the "murder hornet's cousin." Officially identified as Vespa velutina by the Georgia Department of Agriculture in August 2023, it was first encountered by a...
Rubber-looking Leaves and Flowers
Extended spring weather with cool nights and frequent rain can be enjoyable for humans, but does strange things to plants, especially if dormant fungi are hanging around. Exobasidium vaccinii is a fungus that is believed to overwinter as spores attached to bark and...
Pruning Everblooming Shrubs
When to prune a particular shrub can be a confusing practice for even the most experienced gardener. Luckily there are many plant guides to help remind us of pruning times or even a quick call to your local Extension office. Now that we finally remember the best time...
Crane Flies
All my life, I’ve known them as mosquito hawks. Built like extra-large, spindly-legged versions of mosquitoes, they look a bit intimidating. However, growing up we were told they were harmless and actually fed solely on mosquitoes. In the days before Google, I just...