Monthly Archives: July 2015

Oystershell Scale on Lilac

Posted on July 21, 2015 by grayslady

My neighbor’s lilacs, while showing signs of lilac blight earlier in the season, continue to experience massive dieback. Today, I decided to perform a closer examination, since the proximity of his plants puts my plants at risk. To my surprise, … Continue reading →

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Invasive Species

Posted on July 13, 2015 by grayslady

Back in the 1980s, it was almost impossible to pick up a gardening book or horticultural publication that didn’t recommend planting species that are banned or restricted today as invasive plants. Some states have extensive lists of banned or controlled … Continue reading →

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Eye Candy for Gardeners

Posted on July 2, 2015 by grayslady

This photo seems to perfectly capture one reason gardeners have such a long-standing love affair with the rose. I can’t think of another flower as delicate and elegant when first opening as a rose. The Morden Snowbeauty rose shows just … Continue reading →

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Bristly Roseslug

Posted on July 2, 2015 by grayslady

It never ceases to amaze me how all it takes is one rose in a garden in order for the Bristly Roseslug to find it and attack. The roseslug is the transparent (when young) or green (when older) larval caterpillar … Continue reading →

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Four-Lined Plant Bug

Posted on July 2, 2015 by grayslady

For the past two years I’ve had problems with Four-Lined Plant Bugs. As shown in the photo at left (click to enlarge), the nymphs are black and red, so they’re easy to spot, even though they’re only one-quarter inch in … Continue reading →

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Plant of the Month: Alchemilla mollis ‘Thriller’

Posted on July 2, 2015 by grayslady

Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle) is probably a well-known plant to many readers here. A perennial border classic, it is celebrated for its magnificent scalloped foliage and its delicate chartreuse-yellow flowers rising on wands above the main clump of leaves. It’s … Continue reading →

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