Hot and Dry Weather Impacts Plants

We had record amounts of rain in May and June which held soils extremely wet for several weeks in a row. This was followed by 3 weeks of sunshine and very dry weather. The impact from this weather pattern is being seen in July. Many plants had root injury from the excessive water in spring and the sunny weather is now causing plants to lose moisture rapidly through the foliage with leaf scorching occurring on many plants.

Hydrangea Macrophlla Pruning

Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)should be pruned as soon as the flowers have faded. You should begin to see new growth coming in from the base of the plant. To keep the plant vigorous, selectively prune out the dead and weaker stems, both old and new. Don’t prune out all the old wood, since this is what will keep flowering as the new growth matures.

Weed Control

Weed control in landscape beds requires a year-round program. Generally, this will entail integration of mulches, hand weeding, and pre- and post-emergence herbicides to maintain the aesthetic value of annual and perennial flowers, and woody shrubs and trees, in beds.

Deer Resistant Plants

The following is a list of plants that have been identified as deer-resistant. Keep in mind that in a bad season, deer may feast on plants on this list. If you have plants in your garden that have not been feasted upon by deer, please share them with us.
Trees
Deodara Cedar (Cedrus deodara)Dogwood (Cornus florida)Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa)Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.)Thornless Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis)American Holly (Ilex opaca)Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana)Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)Flowering Cherry (Prunus serrulata)Corkscrew Willow (Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’)Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicum)Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflau)Gingko (Ginkgo biloba)Goldenraintree (Koelreuteria paniculata)River Birch (Betula nigra)Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)Fringtree (Chionanthus virginicus)
Shrubs
Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)Butterfly-bush (Buddleia davidii)Littleleaf Boxwood (Buxus microphylla)Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)Smoketree (Cotinus coggygria)Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia)Hollies in general: (Ilex sp.)Foster Holly (Ilex x attenuata)Burford Holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii’)Carissa Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Carissa’)Dwarf Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Compacta’)Convexa Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Convexa’)Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’) Nellie R. Stevens (Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’)Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)Juniper (Juniperus sp)Dog-hobble (Leucothoe axillaris)Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia aquifolium)Leatherleaf Mahonia (Mahonia bealei)Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)Dwarf Nandina (Nandina domestica)Oleander (Nerium oleander)Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo)Carolina Cherrylaurel (Prunus caroliniana) Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles japonica)Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus)Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea)Daphne (Daphne sp.)Gold-dust Plant (Acuba japonica)Sumacs (Rhus sp.)Thorny Eleaegnus (Eleaegnus pungens)Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica)Bumald Spirea (Spireae x bumaldi)Vanhoutte Spirea (Spireae x vanhouttei)Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatua)Rockspray Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)Oakleaf Hydrangea – (Hydrangea quercifolia)Mock Orange – (Philadelphus sp.)Wax Myrtle _ (Myrica cerifera)Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Groundcovers
Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)Ribbon Grass (Phalaris arundinacea var. picta)Thyme (Thymus sp.)Aaron’s Beard (Hypericum calycinum)Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonica) Santolina (Santolina sp.)
Vines
Wisteria (Wisteria sp.)Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)Star Jasmine (Trachelopsermum jasminoides)Trumpetvine (Campsis)Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
Perennials
Columbine (Aquilegia sp.)Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum x morifolium)Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis)Iris (Iris sp.)Yarrow (Achillea)Monkshood (Aconitum)AnemoneWormwood (Artemisia)Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)AsterTickseed (Coreopsis)Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)Cranesbill geranium (Geranium)Beebalm (Monarda)PeonyChives (Allium)Blue Star (Amsonia)Delphinium (Delphinium)Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)Foxglove (Digitalis)Sweet Woodruff (Galium)St. John’s Wort (Hypericum)Dead Nettles (Lamium)Lavender (Lavandula)Catnip (Nepeta sp.)Oregano (Origanum)Russian Sage (Perovskia)Creeping phlox or Thrift (Phlox Subulata)Lungwort (Pulmonaria)Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis)Meadow Sage (Salvia)Goldenrod (Solidago)Lamb’s Ear (Stachys)

Invasive Treese & Shrubs

Norway Maple
Tree of Heaven
Mimosa
Japanese barberry
Russian Olive
Autumn Olive
Thorny eleagnus
Winged Euonymous
Tatarian Honeysuckle
White Mulberry
Princess Tree
White Poplar
Glossy Buckthorn
Siberian Elm

Beneficial Insect

A common green lacewing (scientifically known as Chrysoperla rufilabris) is widely used in various situations to control many different pests. Many species of adult lacewings do not kill pest insects, they actually subsist on foods such as nectar, pollen and honeydew. It is their predacious offspring that get the job done.

Record Setting Rains

We have had over 18inches of rain since April which is eight inches above normal at this point. Soils are saturated and we are seeing a lot of root rot problems and fungus problems as a result.

Going into Summer...

If you know in advance that rainfall is not expected for some time, or if you are already in a drought, you need to help protect your garden.
-Mulch everything, including trees and shrubs, to conserve moisture.
-If necessary, only water the most substantial vegetation, such as the trees and shrubs.
-Ignore the lawn, annuals, and perennials, if necessary. The lawn will rejuvenate in the Fall, and the flowers can be replaced.

Do Your Watering Early...

Watering early in the morning (between 4a.m. & 8a.m.), it saves money and water, and keeps a healthier lawn and landscape.
Watering Early:
-reduces water loss from evaporation
-improves soil absorption, so the water gets to the plants roots
-avoids stronger daytime winds that may blow water away

Beneficial Beetles

Lady bugs are actually beetles. They are out in force, and there is nothing lady-like about their
appetite for insects. They eat a wide variety of insects. Scales, aphids, mealybugs, and even mites are consumed by adults and their larvae. Lady bugs come in a wide assortment of sizes, colors, and even shapes. They can be black,orange, red, and even pink. The presence of ladybugs, their larvae, or orange football shaped eggs means that biological control is underway.

Too Much Water?

According to the Irrigation Association, established lawns and landscape only need about an inch of water each week in temperate climates.
Plan to water every two to three days. On watering days:
-set the run time for spray heads to 12-20 minutes
-set the run time on rotors for only 25-40 minutes
-turn your system off or have a rain sensor installed, when there is enough rain to soak the soil

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is a group of diseases found on many deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. Often called leaf, shoot, or twig blight, anthracnose results from infection by any of several different fungi. Infections on deciduous plants are more severe in areas where prolonged spring rains occur after new growth is produced. Anthracnose fungi need water to be disseminated and infect; they do not spread under dry conditions.
With careful management, some cultivars of susceptible landscape plants can be grown at a high level of aesthetic quality, despite the presence of anthracnose. For new plantings, choose varieties that are resistant to the anthracnose fungi. Plant them widely apart to maximize air circulation and increase sunlight, both of which facilitate faster drying of leaf surfaces when trees are fully grown. Once symptoms develop or become severe, anthracnose cannot be effectively controlled during the current season. Rake and dispose of fallen leaves and twigs during the growing season and during the fall. Prune during winter to increase air circulation in the canopy and remove the previous season’s infected twigs and branches.

Rain Barrels

Rain water harvesting is important because it decreases the high demand for domestic water in which residential irrigation can account for up to 40% of consumption. By collecting rain water and storing it in a rain barrel you’ll have water for future use, whether it’s for watering the garden or just keeping it on hand for emergency situations.

Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles adults have been spotted feeding on knockout roses this week.

Scales

Scales are a diverse group of sucking insects that are common pests of ornamental trees and shrubs. These insects vary considerably in color. They can be black, brown, green, gray, orange, yellow, red, or white. Scale is difficult to control. The life stage most susceptible to insecticides is the crawler stage, which typically appears in the Spring. Crawlers can be controlled by oils and contact insecticides, but successful control depends on precise application timing. Scale nearly always act stressed plants.

Outdoor Spaces

J.D. Power ranks outdoor spaces as one of the best home improvement investments, adding up to 20% to a property's value.

Ticks in the Garden

During early spring and summer, as the weather warms up and the garden springs back to life from its winter dormancy, many gardeners -- and ticks -- eagerly return to their outdoor activities. If you are working in your garden you should be aware of the risks and know how to protect themselves from becoming hosts to disease-carrying ticks.
1-Always be alert for ticks during the spring and summer months (April through September) when they are most active.
2-When possible, avoid tick habitats such as tall grass, leaf litter, bushes, and woods.
3-Walk in the center of trails and avoid brushing against weeds and tall grasses.
4-When working outdoors or in these areas, cover as much skin as possible. Wear long sleeve shirts tucked into pants, and long pants tucked into socks. Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks more easily.
5-When pruning bushes, weeding, or otherwise handling vegetation, wear light-colored gloves and check them often for ticks.
6-Wear close-toed shoes or boots.
7-Keep long hair pulled back.
8-Avoid sitting directly on the ground or on open stone walls.
9-Spray clothes with insect repellant containing DEET or Permethrin (only DEET can be used on bare skin, but not in high concentrations--follow manufacturer's directions).
10-Spot check yourself and others frequently. Don't forget to check pets! If one tick is found, check thoroughly--there may be others.
11-After working outdoors, wash and dry clothing as soon as possible to eliminate unseen ticks. Shower and shampoo, and check skin thoroughly.
12-Keep lawns mowed and underbrush cut and thinned.
13-Clear brush and leaf litter around houses, stone walls, and at the edge of gardens.
14-Stack woodpiles in an open, dry location preferably off the ground.

Lace Bugs

Lace bugs are small insects, 1/4 to 1/8 inch long, broad, flattened and somewhat rectangular in shape. Their bodies are usually brown or black, but their wings are partially transparent and lace-like.

Lace bugs damage plants by inserting their piercing-sucking mouthparts into the underside of leaves and withdrawing chlorophyll and other plant fluids. Females generally cause more damage than males. The upper surface of lightly-infested leaves has a white-dotted, or stippled appearance.

Plants that are commonly attacked include azalea, hawthorn, lantana, oak, pyracantha and sycamore.

Please contact us if you begin seeing this type of damage to your plants, so we can begin treating for this insect.

Irrigation

With all of the rain we have been having make sure your irrigation is not running too often. Plants should be moist, not wet. You may find that the irrigation system is not needed at this point in the year, because rain water has been sufficient for your garden.

Rejuvenating Your Garden

Even in an increasingly challenging world, you continue to want to nurture and make beautiful your garden. The Scott Brinitzer Design Associates team understands this tension and would like to offer you a constructive manner to improve your garden while avoiding a costly or full-scale redesign.
Guided by the eye of a good designer, you can find your garden's theme that may have been lost over the years, establish a theme that was never clearly defined, provide a needed cleanup to the garden or make the most of that overgrown patio you have. It will also increase the value of your home.
Set up a consultation and ensure your garden's makeover is a success!
We suggest you read Adrian Higgins article 'A Guide to Sprucing Up the Yard on a Budget' that appeared in the Washington Post on March 19, 2009. We hope it will spark some great ideas on how to rejuvenate your garden. Please see the article at:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/18/AR2009031801496.html?nav=emailpage
Contact us at your convenience, so we can help you attain your landscaping goals on a budget you feel at ease with.

Protecting your Hands

While gardening it is important that you protect your hands. Your hands are your most valuable tool when it comes to working in the garden. Purchase a pair of gloves which are comfortable and durable to keep your hands safe.

Featured in Home & Design

Scott Brinitzer Design Associates was recently featured in Home & Design in the Editor's Picks article. You can visit the website using this link:
http://www.homeanddesign.com/content.asp?admin=Y&contentid=923.
Click on the second thumbnail at the bottom for a virtual tour of our gardens.

Photinia Leaf Spot

Photinia is very susceptible to the fungus leaf spot called Entomosporium that can defoliate photinia plants. New infections appear as tiny circular leaf spots that are darker red than the surrounding tissue. Older dead tissue, creates spots on photinia that have gray centers surrounded by a darker reddish halo. Heavy infections will cause premature leaf drop resulting in large bare areas. In the spring during wet weather, spores are released and are dispersed by splashing water and wind to infect new growth. Infection occurs continuously during periods of wet weather. Remove and destroy fallen leaves, prune off diseased twigs, and treat with a fungicide, every 7-14 days.

Importance of Mulch

Mulch is a very important component of the landscape. It suppresses weed growth, maintains soil moisture, and stabilizes soil temperatures. Make sure all of your planting beds have about 1.5" of mulch.

Poison Ivy & Poison Oak

Learn to recognize poison ivy and poison oak. The leaves of both plants grow in clusters of three. Poison ivy is a vine that climbs or grows along the ground, and poison oak is a shrub. To avoid an allergic reaction, wear pants, long sleeves, and gloves. If the resin of either plant gets on your skin, wash it off with soap and water within 20 minutes. You should not have a reaction if you do this, unless you are highly sensitive to the plants.

Proper Watering

Water properly. Don't water frequently for only brief periods of time. Doing so causes plant roots to stay near the soil surface. Instead, deep soak each time you water to encourage roots to grow deep down into the soil. When possible, water in the morning so that plant leaves have a chance to dry during the day. This will help minimize fungal diseases.

Hedges

A hedge is a wall made of living plants. Hedges are dated back to the ancient times when farmers planted and cultivated them as means to contain their livestock. Now, hedges are planted for ornamental purposes in formal gardens, to provide privacy, as a way to mark property boundaries, and to screen views.

Spring Plant Healthcare Tips

Spring is the best time to make changes to your landscape. This is a good time to plant or transplant trees and shrubs or even divide perennials.

Annuals

Spring/Summer annuals are going in to add that amazing color addition to your landscapes that will last many months.