Search Results

Trimming/Pruning Endless Summer Bloomstruck Hydrangeas in mid-spring? #864107

Asked April 11, 2024, 1:02 PM EDT

Hello, I have a number of Endless Summer 'Bloomstruck' Hydrangeas that look like the photo attached, with leaves around the base and up to halfway up the branches, but each one has bare branches that extend well past the last visible new growth. The brown branches don't appear to have any buds waiting to open. I'm wondering whether I can expect growth to appear later or if I should prune the branches back to just beyond the highest buds/growth. I don't want to cut them back if they're healthy, as my goal is to have large, mature hydrangea shrubs around my house foundation and I've been patiently waiting for three years now, but if the branches aren't going to support new growth, I'd like to remove them and make way for new growth where it will occur. For additional context, these hydrangeas had the same growth pattern last spring, and I did not prune, thinking growth would continue. Instead, they remained scraggly and in late spring/early summer developed brown spots and holes on the leaves and barely produced any flowers. They looked awful all year long. I'm hoping to position them to thrive this growing season and get to their mature size covered in blooms. Thanks in advance for your assitance! Hunter



Prince George's County Maryland

Native Plants and Green Spaces Outside Businesses #864101

Asked April 11, 2024, 12:35 PM EDT

I'd like to learn more about the benefits of businesses, organizations and public areas prioritizing the landscape of their outdoor spaces - Specifically as it relates to biodiversity and the health of the community. Can you point me towards some credible sources? Most of what I'm finding through my Google searches are blogs from landscape companies or information about public parks. Thank you!

Ingham County Michigan

Are my madrone trees doomed or will they recover? #864082

Asked April 11, 2024, 11:00 AM EDT

We have 3-4 madrone trees in our yard (not located adjacent to creek beds). Right now most look dead - solid brown leaves covering most or in parts of the trees; the ones w/ green leaves have brown spots though there is new green growth coming at most of the ends of the branches. Living in the vicinity of McDonald forest, I saw a similar madrone walking along a road partially brown branches. What can we do, if anything, to help our madrone's recover - I did print the May 2008 article on diseases/insect pests of pacific madrone. Could the cause be the wet winter?



Benton County Oregon

spring beetles emerging from fireplace same as knowledgebase question #238015 #864072

Asked April 11, 2024, 10:09 AM EDT

We are getting the same beetles emerging from our fireplace in Delaware as case # 238015. Do you have other reports of the same? We are concerned that these same exact beetles like could be living in the structure of the fireplace somewhere. Did anyone have any luck with using a screen over the flue of the fireplace? we have had an exterminator come out before and they think it was the wood we were burning. We don't know how that could be when this year the fireplace was completely empty and cleaned prior to spring. 



Sussex County Delaware

Fertilome #864061

Asked April 11, 2024, 8:39 AM EDT

I tried to order Fertilome Tree and Shrub Drench from Amazon, and it could not be delivered to my Maryland address. What do I need to know about this product?

Charles County Maryland

Boxwoods dying #864022

Asked April 10, 2024, 7:00 PM EDT

We just removed two boxwoods that were either completely brown or had many dead brown branches. We are probably going to remove the remaining 4 but we’re hoping to save our conical boxwoods in same bed. Wanted to see if you could help us determine the problem they are having. Once we remove them, we also wanted to see if it would be safe to plant new shrubs immediately. Thank you!



Howard County Maryland

outdoor white fly infestation #863999

Asked April 10, 2024, 4:19 PM EDT

Help! Last year white flies took over my outdoor potted herbs, and I'm pretty sure they destroyed an outdoor vine, too (but I'm not 100% sure if those were the same bugs or not). I think they were attracted to some tobacco I was growing and they totally killed my mandrakes :( I tried to stay on top of everything with neem oil...but my efforts were no match for the infestation.I want to do everything possible to prevent this from getting out of control or spreading beyond our yard this year. I think we need professionals before white fly season starts this year... Any recommendations?

Deschutes County Oregon

Rose bushes #863955

Asked April 10, 2024, 12:29 PM EDT

Can you recommend an environment-friendly rose bush spray that's an insecticide, fungicide, and miticide?

Frederick County Maryland

Possible worm in strawberry #863950

Asked April 10, 2024, 11:40 AM EDT

I bought these strawberries from a store in my area which is the southeast cities. This morning while cutting some up I noticed one had a weird little stem like thing coming out of it. So I just set it to the side. But then I noticed it was moving. I looked online but can’t identify if it’s a work or some kind of other insect. Please help. I have a couple videos but I’m not able to figure out how to include them.



Washington County Minnesota

Maple tree dropping leaves #863940

Asked April 10, 2024, 10:41 AM EDT

Our Maple tree drops leaves from some kind of bug (we believe) that chews the stem and the leaf falls. What can we do to stop this?

Eaton County Michigan

Help Identifying this Flying Insect/Bee #863900

Asked April 09, 2024, 10:09 PM EDT

Over the past several days these keep appearing in my bag window (not opened). I am killing 4-5 a day. They are only coming out when the sun is intense in the bay window. Any help would be appreciated identifying.



Carroll County Maryland

IPS beetle spray. #863873

Asked April 09, 2024, 5:51 PM EDT

I live about 400 feet of Mulberry and 1 mile east of I-25. My lawn care company suggested have my Norway Pine sprayed twice a year withIPS beetle spray.  Do you recommend this being done at this time?  What are the signs I should watch for?

Larimer County Colorado

Leaf litter #863868

Asked April 09, 2024, 5:09 PM EDT

I leave a goodly amount of fall leaves for pollinators and such to overwinter. I would like to tidy up my flower bed and begin planting. I am not sure when I can safely do this in the spring.

Harford County Maryland

Boxwood Issue #863853

Asked April 09, 2024, 3:50 PM EDT

Please help I'm not sure what is going on with the boxwood hedge. In places it seems to be "laying down" and others it is so thin. What can I do?



Montgomery County Maryland

Boring insect on laurel #863801

Asked April 09, 2024, 11:08 AM EDT

I have a laurel that has extensive damage and will remove it to prevent spread. Is it possible to identify the insect? Peach tree borer is mentioned for laurels. Is that correct? Can I plant something else in the same place? What other plants are susceptible? 

Thank you.




Montgomery County Maryland

Best Screening trees #863780

Asked April 09, 2024, 7:56 AM EDT

I live out in the country in Ortonville, MI. My neighbor and I have mature pines as a screening between our houses. Whoever planted them did not do a good job as they are directly under power lines and the pines have a disease that is killing them. I am cutting them down and want to put in place (albeit not exactly in the same spot) some quick growing evergreens. I have been looking at Canadian Hemlock and Thuja giant greens. Can you recommend the best evergreen to place there, please.

Oakland County Michigan

Cherry fruitworm on blueberries #863725

Asked April 08, 2024, 1:40 PM EDT

I am trying to determine a spraying plan to keep cherry fruitworms from infesting my blueberries this year. I have a product called dipel. When to spray and how often

Prince George's County Maryland

Why do my blueberry plants have dry, curling leaves with red edges and black spots? #863712

Asked April 08, 2024, 12:38 PM EDT

I have two scraggly blueberry plants that are showing signs of disease. I am worried they are afflicted with Bacterial Leaf Scorch, but I am not familiar enough with this bacterial issue or blueberry plants to make a proper diagnosis. Can you please help me diagnose the problem afflicting these blueberry plants? I have included images of affected leaves from both plants. Species: Vaccinium corymbosum (Sunshine Blue Blueberry) plants. Symptoms: Plants are scraggly. Some leaves are dry, brittle, red on the edges, and curling. Some leaves are falling off (they are not yellow). Some leaves have black spots. There does not appear to be a yellow halo around the black spots. Plants did not produce fruit last year. Pests: There are no signs of insects on leaves, stems, or the ground around the plants, and no sign of fine webbing (mites). Two rabbits in the yard have been messing with the bark on a couple of the azalea shrubs and may have rattled the blueberry shrubs somewhat, but there are no major signs of rabbit damage on the blueberries. Purchased: Plants were purchased from Home Depot in Frederick in the spring of 2023. Plant Age: Two years old. The tags on the plants indicated that both plants were one year old when purchased in Spring 2023, which would make them two years old currently. Soil: Planted in clay-like soil. Not sure what the pH of the soil is currently. Plants/Soil Fertilized in 2024: No Pesticides or Herbicides Used in Yard: No Watering Schedule: We have not watered recently because we have gotten more than enough rain to keep the soil moist. Nearby Plants: Wildflower ground cover - Violets, Virginia Strawberry, etc. - grow around both blueberry bushes. Other Nearby Plants: The two blueberry plants are planted 12 feet apart. There are two small azalea bushes planted in between the blueberry plants. They do not look as bad as the blueberries, but the azalea leaves are starting to show the same signs of disease (black spots, leaves with red curling edges.



Frederick County Maryland

Dead beetles in my home #863669

Asked April 08, 2024, 9:01 AM EDT

I keep finding these Beatles in my family room each morning. I have never found a live one, only dead. I tried identifying them online and can’t figure out what they are or where they could be coming from.



Chesterfield County Virginia

Boxwood Issues #863658

Asked April 07, 2024, 11:23 PM EDT

I put in boxwood spring of 2021 at my home in a partial shade spot. I have been diligent about watering and caring for them, but they have not sent up a lot of new growth since I got them. Last year they got a twinge of yellow, but this year they are looking worse and are losing leaves. What can I do to help them? 



Wayne County Michigan

Found on my Oak tree in Weld County #863619

Asked April 07, 2024, 2:02 PM EDT

Can you tell me what this is on my oak tree and if it is harmful?  I believe it is a Burr Oak or Columnar Oak



Weld County Colorado

Pea seedlings eaten #863618

Asked April 07, 2024, 1:46 PM EDT

Hello, My pea seedlings have been bitten off at the ground. They have been growing under a tunnel the whole time. Is it cutworm? Moles/voles? No sign of larva or tunnels in this area. What do you think? I have only a handful left and want to fill in. But would like to be ready treat the problem if or when it reoccurs. Thank you! Kathy

Baltimore County Maryland

Maple Tree not leafing #863616

Asked April 07, 2024, 1:38 PM EDT

We live in Palos Park and have had a U of I visit a while back.  Last year our maple tree began to bud in early spring, then we had cold weather and it never leafed all summer. This year the same (now reddish brown) buds are on the limbs, and the limbs are sturdy, green when scraped. Have had plenty of rain. Looking for suggestions and what we could do to to promote leafing?  Thank you. 

Cook County Illinois

Insect #863614

Asked April 07, 2024, 1:34 PM EDT

Do you identify insects

Emmet County Michigan

Outdoor Fatsia Japonica sick? #863572

Asked April 06, 2024, 5:12 PM EDT

Hello, my outdoor Fatsia Japonica (in inner SE Portland) seems to be dying. It started about a year and a half ago and now it's looking quite sickly. It is a long-established plant next to others of similar age that are looking better, but not great. Do you know what could be the cause? Thank you!



Multnomah County Oregon