Articles listed under “problem solver”
Eastern cottontail — March 2, 2010
Most of us know a rabbit when we see it — long ears, fuzzy tail and a piece of your favorite plant dangling from its mouth!
Box elder — February 23, 2010
Don’t be confused — box elder leaves look similar to poison ivy. Both have three leaflets, but box elder leaves are not as pointed.
Crown vetch — February 16, 2010
Crown vetch grows up to 2 ft. tall. It has a dense, sprawling habit with stems that can be 5 to 6 ft. long.
Four-lined plant bug — February 9, 2010
The four-lined plant bug is one of the most common pests in the garden. It likes to feed on more than 250 species of ornamental, woody and edible plants.
Groundhogs — February 2, 2010
Punxsutawney Phil may be cute, but a wild groundhog in your garden can be a problem.
Stinging nettle — January 26, 2010
If you’ve ever walked along a wooded path, you’ve probably encountered stinging nettle. This perennial weed, with bright- to dark-green leaves, can grow to 3 to 6 ft. high.
Cyclamen mite — January 19, 2010
These minute, semitransparent mites are too small for the naked eye to see. They hide in young, tender stem ends, leaves and flower buds of cyclamens (Cyclamen spp.) and many other indoor and outdoor plants.
Common buckthorn — January 12, 2010
Growing quickly to a large shrub or small tree up to 20 ft. tall, common buckthorn has sharp spines at the tips of the twigs.
Gooseneck loosestrife — December 29, 2009
It may produce attractive arched white flowers in late spring to summer, but this aggressive 3-ft.-tall plant can take over your garden quickly.
Winter burn — December 22, 2009
The leaves of your broadleaf evergreens look green now, but the leaf edges of broadleaf evergreens, such as boxwoods (Buxus spp.), turn bronze in winter.
Mineral deposits — December 15, 2009
Along with soil and light, water is one of those essential things that you need to grow plants.
Common mullein — December 8, 2009
At first glance, this weed could be a tall, striking ornamental for the back of your border.
Clematis wilt — December 1, 2009
Even if you grow clematis that are very resistant to wilt, next summer your plant may still get it.
Cytospora canker — November 24, 2009
If your Colorado spruce (Picea pungens) has dead branches, Cytospora canker could be to blame.
Chicory — November 17, 2009
The line between wildflower and weed can be narrow. With chicory, what one person considers a lovely blue flower, a neighbor might consider a weed.
Rose slug sawfly — November 10, 2009
Smooth, translucent pale-green larvae eat the leaves of roses in May and June.
Fuller’s teasel — November 3, 2009
Originally introduced from Europe for use as a dried flower, Fuller’s teasel has naturalized in much of North America.
Wild parsnip — October 27, 2009
This invasive biennial is related to the edible parsnips you may grow in your vegetable garden.
Pillbugs and sowbugs — October 20, 2009
Here are two bugs that look almost identical — pillbugs and sowbugs.
Rust — October 13, 2009
You’ll spot powdery rust, orange or brown spots, like these on a snapdragon, on either side of the leaf.
Prostrate spurge — October 6, 2009
The stems and undersides of the leaves of 2-in.-tall prostrate spurge have a red tint.
Flea beetle — September 29, 2009
Young leaves of vegetables and flowers riddled with “shot” holes are a sign that flea beetles may be attacking your garden.
Common mallow — September 22, 2009
Common mallow is a relative of hollyhocks that produces pink, pale blue or white summer flowers.
Squash vine borer — September 15, 2009
There’s nothing worse than having your squash die on the vine because of squash vine borers.
Crown rot — September 8, 2009
Crown rot affects hosta, bleeding heart, phlox, daylily and many other perennials.
Emerald ash borer — September 1, 2009
If you have an ash tree (Fraxinus spp.), keep an eye out for emerald ash borer.
American elder — August 25, 2009
A quick way to identify American elder is to crush a stem or a few leaves and you’ll get a disagreeable odor.
Cedar-apple rust — August 18, 2009
In fall, you’ll spot hard brown galls on twigs of Eastern red cedar. In spring the galls swell, turn orange.
Musk thistle — August 11, 2009
All the surfaces of the leaves and stems of musk thistle are covered with sharp prickles.
Chameleon plant — August 4, 2009
The leaves of chameleon plant are green with margins of red, bronze or yellow and have a pungent odor when they’re crushed.
