Plant Health Update

On Wednesday, July 2, 2014, I attended the MGV Plant Health Update at the UW-Extension offices on Watertown Plank Road.

The meeting was chaired by Milwaukee County Horticulture Agent Sharon Morrisey.

We learned that Stella D'Oro daylilies, Monarda, Echinacea, Opunta (Prickly Pear), Asclepias species, and Joseph's Coat climbing roses are starting to bloom in the area.

We learned that changing pH is more effective than adding iron for dealing with chlorosis in river birches.

We learned that the Earthkind roses at Boerner might be victims of the rose rosette virus.

We had a hands-on workshop where we examined examples of apple scab on crabapple, damage by 4-lined plant bug, damage by herbicide drift, spruce adelgid galls, nutritional (Fe, Mn) deficiency in diervilla, aphids (two tailpipes!) on cup plant, damage by leaf hoppers and plant bugs on honey locust, damage by rose slug sawflies, powdery mildew, maple galls, hawthorn scale, invasive crown vetch, and invasive bird's foot trefoil.

Educational and well-worth attending.

Counts as 1.5 hours MGV continuing education credit.

Camassia

http://www.waysidegardens.com/Camassia-quamash---Pack-of-20/p/08063-PK-20/

We have no camas bulbs in the garden, a substantial omission.

Martagon Lilies

http://seattletimes.com/html/pacificnw/2021361793_pacificpgardener21.html

"Rot in heavy soil" is a deal-killer.

Chionodoxa

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/bulbs/chionodoxa/

Now is the time to think about planting bulbs in the fall.

Mint Crisp

http://www.waysidegardens.com/mint-crisp-honeysuckle/p/30716/

Zone 4, variegated foliage, fragrant, I want one.

First Japanese Beetle 2014

On Monday, June 30, 2014, I killed the first Japanese beetle of the year.

Evangelizing Comfrey

http://newpioneermag.com/2013/10/comfrey-growing/

I am in favor of it, even if it is only grown as an ornamental.