Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) is a group of herbaceous ornamentals that are noted for their importance in the lives of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Much has been written about the decline of the monarchs and the drive to preserve them.  However, not all milkweed plants are equal and some can cause homeowners to regret planting them if they are not managed properly.

The holidays are fast approaching and most people have a gardener or two on their gift list. An informal poll of Master Gardeners in the area yielded some excellent ideas for those folks on the list.

This was a tough growing season for many perennials. With the driving, extensive rains in the early spring followed by near drought conditions in the summer, fungal diseases flourished and plants suffered. However, one plant that seemed impervious to the onslaught of negative weather conditions was the dahlias. They continued to thrive and put forth stunning blooms.

While this season is winding down, it is never too early to begin to plan for next season. Herbs are always a good addition to any garden. If not used for culinary purposes, many are good for pollinators, not only for the pollen and nectar they provide, but also for reproductive habitat.

Black walnut trees (Juglans nigra) and butternut trees, also called white walnut trees (Juglans cinerea) are commonly recognized by gardeners as having a toxic trait. They contain juglone, concentrated primarily in their buds, leaves, stems, nut hulls, and roots. This chemical spells trouble for many surrounding plants, causing wilting and ultimately death. Juglone is the walnut tree’s ultimate survival technique as it reduces any competition for nutrients and water in the surrounding area.

Fall is creeping up quickly and there are many things to be done to wrap up gardens before winter strikes. Much has been said about not doing fall cleanup in perennial beds because pollinators need the debris for habitat and reproduction. However, that is not the case in vegetable beds. Fall cleanup is essential to mitigate the spread of disease and control the proliferation of harmful insects

Mock Orange (Philadelphus spp.) is a fragrant, white flowering, deciduous shrub native to Europe, Canada, and the west and northwestern United States.  There are numerous cultivated varieties that vary in flower size, fragrance intensity, hardiness, and growth habit making it a perfect specimen for the knowledgeable gardener.

This summer has been tough on lilacs (Syringa). There have been repeated reports across the state of dying plants, brown and curled leaves, white speckled leaves, and general demise of the bushes. As a rule, lilacs are relatively disease free, so what is causing the problem?

Ornamental grasses first began to gain popularity in Germany in the 1930s courtesy of nurseryman Karl Foerster. He spent years collecting samples and seeds from all across the world, including the Americas, to study them before introducing them to the landscape world. Today there are so many varieties available that there is one for every landscape. Those that are native are an exceptionally ecologically sound choice.

As a follow-up on a recent article, plants named after dogs is the topic for today. Botanists must be cat lovers because they lack creativity in naming plants after our canine friends. Some of the plants have quite unpleasant characteristics, making them unsuitable for the home gardener. Hound’s tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), mad-dog skull cap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Dogbane (Aposynaceae), Dogwood (Cornus), Dog violet (Viola labradorica), and Dog’s tooth violet (Erythronium americanum) round out the list.

Unfortunately having an allergy to cats is not uncommon. If a furry cat is out of the question, try a green one instead. Botanists seem to have a fondness for naming plants after cats or cat features, including cattails (Typha spp.), kitten tails (Besseya bullii), pussytoes (Antennaria), catnip (Nepeta cataria), cat mint (Nepeta xfaassenii), and pussy willow (Salix discolor).

Many gardens are developed for visual appeal and the other senses are overlooked. Some gardens have plants deliberately incorporated with a particular favorite scent like lilacs or hyacinths. However, sensory gardens are intentionally designed to either appeal to all five senses (taste, smell, sight, sound, and touch) or to intentionally narrow in on just one.

Ferns, with lacy, delicate leaves look dainty and fragile. But, in reality they are hardy, sturdy, reliable perennials that thrive with little care when planted in suitable locations. Their fascinating foliage adds textural interest to gardens. While many people have a fern or two as houseplants, they also make superb additions to the outdoor landscape.

A successful garden begins and ends with good soil. The best amendment to soil is organic matter. It will improve the texture, tilth, water and nutrient retention, aeration, and fertility. When organic material decomposes, it releases nutrients, including nitrogen. This nitrogen undergoes a chemical conversion until it is in a form usable by the plant roots.

It is a rare gardener who has not seen an earwig in the landscape. These formidable-looking insects are beneficial in most cases, are not a danger to humans, and provide a valuable service to the landscape. Despite rumors to the contrary, they do not crawl into the ears of sleeping individuals to cause fevers and insanity

Perennials are plants that come back from the roots each year. They provide the landscape with an abundance of beauty through blooms and foliage. However, over time because of new growth through the root system and new shoots, perennials periodically need to be divided. It may seem like a daunting task, but understanding how, when, and why to divide will make it manageable and even enjoyable.

As cities and municipalities grow and replace agricultural land and forests, increased storm water runoff from these developed areas ends up in storm drains. The water that runs off impervious surfaces such as parking lots, sidewalks, and rooftops carries with it pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, grass clippings, road and sidewalk salt, and animal waste. Each homeowner can mitigate that runoff by installing a simple rain garden and reduce the runoff by about twenty five percent on their property.

There has been a considerable amount of publicity about “No Mow May” and many individuals have committed to following this practice. What benefit will this offer to the environment or to beneficial insects?

Most gardeners consider soil resplendent with earthworms a good sign. Studies on agricultural soils have shown that earthworm burrows can improve soil aeration, water infiltration, relieve compaction, and make nutrients more available to plants. However, there is more to the story.