Rosie Lerner

rosie@purdue.edu

716 articles by this author

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How to care for poinsettia

The poinsettia, the most popular holiday plant, is best known as the plant with bright red flowers on a green background. But the showiest part of the poinsettia is the group of colorful specialized leaves called floral bracts that surround the small, yellowish-green structures that are the true flowers. Red is still the most popular color, but bracts may also be pink, salmon-colored, yellow, white or multicolor. The long-lasting nature of today’s poinsettias can only…Read more about How to care for poinsettia[Read More]

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Jury still out on use of rubber mulch

Q. Our HOA is considering using rubber mulch in a large area. In your experience, what is the up side or down side? I have read that as it deteriorates the chemical and all ingredients break down and go into the soil. Any thoughts?  – LK, Lafayette, IN A. This is a really great question that unfortunately does not yet have a clear answer. There are many questions remaining regarding the long-term safety of using recycled shredded or crumb…Read more about Jury still out on use of rubber mulch[Read More]

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New Annual Strawberry is All-America Selections Winner

For the first time, All-America Selections has selected a strawberry cultivar. Strawberry Delizz is an F1 hybrid grown from seed. Although strawberries are perennial plants, Delizz is grown as an annual and promises harvest throughout the season. It was developed by ABZ Seeds, a Dutch strawberry breeding company. The uniform, compact plants reach about 10-24 inches tall and about 12 inches wide – ideal for containers, hanging baskets or small garden plots. Plants require full…Read more about New Annual Strawberry is All-America Selections Winner[Read More]

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Larch Needle Blight/White Ash Woes/Top-setting Onions

Q. I have noticed lately that our three big, lovely larches are losing needles on their bottom half. The needles have a banded pattern of color, and I fear larch needle blight. How can I confirm or reject this hypothesis? Is there anything we can do to treat them? – JC A. Specific diagnosis will require more than just these photos. I recommend sending samples of your trees to the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic…Read more about Larch Needle Blight/White Ash Woes/Top-setting Onions[Read More]

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Water Now to Minimize Winter Injury

Dry summers are not that unusual in the Midwest. But this year the dry spell followed an unusually wet spring and early summer in many areas. Of particular concern this year is that the dry spell is lasting well into autumn, putting plants in poor condition to get through the winter when water will be unavailable due to frozen soil. Newly planted trees, shrubs and perennial flowers will be at most risk of winter injury…Read more about Water Now to Minimize Winter Injury[Read More]

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Pricklypear Cactus Wanted and Unwanted

Q. How do I keep cactus out of my yard? They grow somewhat flat on the ground and have yellow flowers. I have sandy soil – I call them sand cactus. I keep digging them up, but can’t seem to get rid of them.  – D.C. A. The eastern picklypear cactus, Opuntia humifusa, is native to most of the U.S. including Indiana and is considered beautiful and valuable by many. But it certainly can be a…Read more about Pricklypear Cactus Wanted and Unwanted[Read More]

Autumn Time to Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs

If thinking about the end of summer is getting you down, it’s time to plan and plant your spring flowering bulb show. Autumn is the time to plant crocus, daffodils, tulips and many other spring bloomers. Spring flowering bulbs are planted in the fall to allow them to establish roots before top growth begins in spring. Planting too early may cause the bulbs to sprout this fall, only to be killed back by winter weather….Read more about Autumn Time to Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs[Read More]

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Cull Rotted Bulbs

Q. I’ve been raising alliums for 20 years. Some years I’ve left them in the ground over winter, but most years I lift them when the stems dry up and replant them late September –  early October. This year I lifted them and most were rotten. I’ve never seen this before. I had 47 to dig this year and only got a dozen to replant this fall. I hope the pictures show the little white maggot looking…Read more about Cull Rotted Bulbs[Read More]

When Tree Roots Surface

Much to the dismay of homeowners, landscape trees sometimes grow roots on top of the surface of the lawn or possibly even buckle sidewalks and driveways. These surface roots can be quite a nuisance to lawn mowers and human feet. There are several reasons why the roots come to the surface. Some tree species are more prone to surface roots than others, most notably silver maple, poplar and willow. But almost any large, older tree…Read more about When Tree Roots Surface[Read More]

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Decrease powdery mildew through prevention

Q. Is there any way you could help in figuring out what is wrong with our lilac? – C.B. via email. A. Lilacs are quite susceptible to a fungal disease called powdery mildew, which causes a grayish-white, powdery coating of spores and fungal structures on the surface of leaves, stems, flower petals and fruit. According to the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory, the best method of control is prevention. Practices that will decrease the severity…Read more about Decrease powdery mildew through prevention[Read More]