UMass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Massachusetts Green Industry professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Detailed reports from scouts and Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ornamentals, trees, and turf are regular features. The following issue has been updated to provide timely management information and the latest regional news and environmental data.
To read individual sections of the message, click on the section headings below to expand the content:
Scouting Information by Region
Environmental Data
The following data was collected on or about March 20, 2019. Total accumulated growing degree days (GDD) represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via our instruments for the 2019 calendar year. This information is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental stages of pests in your location and planning management strategies accordingly.
|
Region/Location |
GDD |
Soil Temp |
Precipitation |
Time/Date of Readings | |||||
| 2018 Total | 2019 Current | Sun | Shade | Since 1/1 | Since 3/1 | ||||
|
Cape Cod |
2909 | 1.0 | 42 | 39 | 11.27 | 3.16 | 12:00 PM 3/19 | ||
|
Southeast |
3039 | 1.5 | 39 | 37 | 10.53 | 2.41 | 2:00 PM 3/20 | ||
|
North Shore |
2936.5 | 1.0 | 34 | 32 | 8.69 | 1.89 | 9:45 AM 3/20 | ||
|
East |
3177.5 | 4.0 | 37 | 30 | 8.10 | 1.80 | 2:00 PM on 3/20 | ||
|
Metro West |
2834 | 0 | 32 | 30 | 7.83 | 1.87 | 12:15 PM 3/20 | ||
|
Central |
2970 | 0 | 32 | 30 | 7.14 | 1.78 | 4:45 PM 3/19 | ||
|
Pioneer Valley |
3049.5 | 3.0 | 36 | 34 | 6.21 | 0.78 | 12:30 PM 3/20 | ||
|
Berkshires |
2699 | 5.0 | 35 | 30 | 7.86 | 0.39 | 9:15 AM 3/20 | ||
|
AVERAGE |
2952 | 1.95 | 35.9 | 32.8 | 8.45 | 1.76 | - | ||
|
n/a = information not available |
|||||||||
Phenology
| Indicator Plants - Stages of Flowering (BEGIN, BEGIN/FULL, FULL, FULL/END, END) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLANT NAME (Botanic/ Common) | CAPE | S.E. | N.S. | EAST | METRO W. | CENT. | P.V. | BERK. |
| Hamamelis x intermedia (Witchhazel hybrids) | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Hamamelis mollis (Chinese Witchazel) | Begin/Full | Begin/Full | Begin | Begin | Begin | Begin/Full | Begin/Full | Begin |
| * = no activity to report/information not available | ||||||||
Regional Notes
Cape Cod Region (Barnstable)
General Conditions:
|
Month |
GDD 50 |
Average F |
High F |
Low F |
Precip. |
|
December |
* |
36 |
57 (12/3) |
19 (12/9) |
4.23 |
|
January |
0 |
31 |
59 (1/1) |
3 (1/21) |
5.48 |
|
February |
1.1 |
32 |
63 (2/5) |
7 (2/2) |
2.63 |
|
March (thru 3/19) |
0 |
34 |
55 (3/15) |
10 (3/7) |
3.16 |
The conditions since early December have been seasonable with less than average snowfall but plenty of precipitation. The ground in most locations froze in mid-January and thawed last week, the top inch or two freezing and thawing on a regular basis during that time. The frozen soil and abundant precipitation led to saturated soil conditions even for the sandier soils. This is likely to result in poor performance of perennials that don’t tolerate wet feet during the winter. The typical early patches of Crocuses are in bloom.
Pests/Problems: “Pink patch” fungus has been present on many lawns throughout the winter. Deer, rabbit and rodent damage is evident.
Southeast Region (New Bedford)
General Conditions: 2019 began as a very mild year with temperatures averaging in the high 30’s during the day and low 20’s at night. There were a few 50-degree days and the lowest night temperature hit 2 degrees. Only half an inch of snow fell for the month of January. February brought equally mild temperatures averaging in the high 30’s to early 40-degree days for the majority of the month. We hit a low of 6 degrees at night for the month. With no significant snowfall and only a collective 7” throughout the month, the warm 40- and 50-degree days quickly melted any snow cover. Garden beds spent most of the winter bare and exposed to the windy elements. The first weeks of March brought 8” of snow with averages of 40-degree days. The snow has now melted, exposing blooms of snowdrops and Crocus. Daffodil and tulip foliage is beginning to emerge.
Pests/Problems: Due to the lack of snow cover, rabbit damage has been observed. Limited vole and mole tunneling is present in garden beds and lawns also due to the lack of snow. Trees have been showing signs of last summer's drought and now is a great time for pruning dead limbs.
North Shore (Beverly)
General Conditions: The year 2018 ended very mildly with average temperatures in the 30s and low 40s. Winter has been generally mild and relatively quiet in terms of snowfall. The snowfall amount has been less than average for the region. There have been days of rainfall, freezing rain and sleet during this winter. The first half of March was colder than the average for this time of the year. However, in the last few days we have seen increasing sunshine and daytime temperatures in 40s. This has caused all the snow to melt and the surface of the soil to thaw. The surface of the soil on shaded areas is still frozen and the lower layers of the soil are also still frozen. There have been some rainfall events and this, in combination with the thawed snow, has created very saturated soils. Avoid vehicular and human traffic on saturated soils because this will lead to compacted soils when things dry out. Trees seen in bloom include: ‘Arnold Promise’ witch-hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia) and goat willow (Salix caprea). Early spring flowering bulbs seen in bloom include: winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) and snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis).
Pests/Problems: Some deer browsing has been observed on yew (Taxus spp). Due to less snow cover on the ground, there has been very little vole tunneling on lawns. There are no pests nor disease issues to report except for leaf spots on mountain laurel which seems to be persistent in the landscape every year. Because of the absence of snow cover on the ground, some people have started to do spring cleanup.
East Region (Boston)
General Conditions: January began with a record warm of 58˚F on the first. The month was fairly warm averaging 28˚F. We reached a low of 0.8˚F on the 31st, the coldest day since November 22, 2018. We received below average snowfall for January, including several minor rain/snow events totaling 3.63” rain equivalent. Lenten rose (Hellebores spp.) bloomed throughout December and January. The native witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) came into bloom the first week of January. February lacked significant snow cover. We received 2.4“ of snow on the 12th. By mid-February, we had only received 4.7” of total snowfall for the season. Temperatures averaged 31˚F with a high of 63˚F on February 5 when snow drops (Galanthus nivalis) were observed coming into bloom in sunny locations. Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) was poking through the melting snow on February 16. March began with our biggest snowfall of the year, amounting to 14.2”, on March 3. This was followed by three consecutive days of unseasonably cold temperatures averaging 27˚F. By mid-March, temperatures returned to more seasonable March conditions, averaging 45˚F with sunny conditions. On March 15, 0.3 inches of rain completed the majority of snowmelt throughout the landscape. Soils are adequately moist. We gained four Growing Degree Days. Two on February 5 and another two on March 15. Currently in bloom are the following cultivars of witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia) ‘Arnold Promise’, ‘Diane’ and ‘Jelena’ and (Hamamelis mollis) ‘Princeton Gold’ and ‘Brevipetala’. American hazelnut (Corylus americana) and European filbert (Corylus avellana) have begun producing catkins. Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) and butterbur (Petacites hybridus) are flowering in wetlands.
Pests/Problems: The past few months lacked extended snow cover. Unprotected evergreens are showing signs of winter burn. Wild garlic (Allium vineale) has been visible throughout the landscape the entire winter. What little snow cover was on the ground melted this past week. In moist sunny locations pilewort (Ficaria verna) is greening up. Rosettes of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) are also visible. Rabbit damage is evident throughout the landscape.
Metro West (Acton)
General Conditions: Welcome to spring! Galanthus spp. (snowdrops), Hamamelis x intermedia cultivars (witch hazel), and Hamamelis mollis (Chinese witch hazel) are all in bloom and make a pleasant contrast against the lingering signs of winter including the random remaining piles of snow (now pretty solid at this point), ice, erosion from the heavy recent rains, ruts, and mud. Another sure and hopeful sign of spring in New England is the sight of buckets attached to the maple trees collecting their sap. The buckets have been up for weeks now. Buds are swelling on our maple trees and will soon be in bloom!
Pests/Problems: The landscape is littered with large and small woody debris that has yet to be cleaned up from the winter storms and strong winds. Ticks are active, as well as rabbits. Now that the snow is melting, it is exposing more rodent damage.
Central Region (Boylston)
General Conditions: Winter has been relatively quiet. The blistering cold of early 2018 is a distant memory after what seemed a mild January and February. Most of this winter’s storms brought a messy combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Except for one or two storms of 6” or more, snow accumulation has been far less than typical for our region. Midway through March, temperatures are colder than average, delaying the onset of spring. Hamamelis x intermedia cultivars like ‘Arnold Promise’, ‘Livia’, and ‘Sunburst’ have all been open for several weeks, Hamamelis mollis is just now approaching peak bloom. Galanthus nivalis (snowdrops) have just started opening in sunny areas or warmer spots along stone walls. A few early crocuses are showing signs of opening, but none have opened as of yet.
Pests/Problems: No significant insect or disease issues. Snow melt has revealed salt damage on low-lying evergreen shrubs like Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry) along edges of driveways and parking lots. Deer browse continues to be substantial this winter. Large Rhododendrons and mountain laurels have been completely defoliated, and Thuja occidentalis is stripped bare up to about 7’ high. Newly emerging tulips have been nipped back to the ground in protected areas.
Pioneer Valley Region (Amherst)
General Conditions: Spring has arrived as we begin another season of the Landscape Message in the beautiful Connecticut River Valley. Soils are still frozen under the snow in some locations while other landscapes are fully exposed with spongy, saturated soil. We will have gained 105 minutes of daylight over the month of March, with plenty more on the way as we continue towards summer. While some people oppose spring planting until soils have drained, others are proponents of transplanting trees and shrubs as soon as soils are thawed. Early season transplanting, when plants are still dormant, affords a tree or shrub the entire growing season to establish at a new location. Also, because the act of transplanting damages or removes an already reduced root mass, the additional time in the spring for new root production can be important to lessen the effects of shock. Damage to tender new growth can be minimized as well at this time. We experienced a brief period of sub-zero minimum temperatures in late January, but overall this past winter won’t be remembered as particularly cold. There were periods this winter when a lack of insulating snow cover may have left some trees and shrubs susceptible to root freeze injury. Shallow-rooted trees like birch and hemlock would be most vulnerable. Evergreen shrubs and semi-hardy plants always experience some level of winter burn, but nothing extraordinary is expected this year. Snowfall in the valley over this past winter was slightly above-average. There were numerous storms with minor to moderate accumulations and this winter lacked any nor’easters with significant snow amounts. Perhaps the most noteworthy event was the windstorm on Monday, February 25. Frequent wind gusts with speeds of 40–60 mph were recorded throughout the region. On Mount Tom in Easthampton, a peak wind speed of 76 mph was recorded during the mid-afternoon. Numerous trees, especially eastern white pine, suffered stem breakage and uprooting. The damage was widespread and power outages in more rural areas were lengthy in some cases. In all areas, roadways and lawns were littered with small stems and branches.
Pests/Problems: Winter injury and rodent feeding are the primary issues of concern at this time. Winter injury is most often caused by exposure to extreme cold temperatures in conjunction with strong winds. But it can also be caused by water loss from transpiration on mild, sunny days, especially for broad-leaved evergreens. Because the soils and roots are frozen, these plants are unable to replace the water lost through transpiration and foliage becomes desiccated. Plants are typically more susceptible to winter injury if they are drought-stressed or suffering the effects of transplant shock, which can last for several years after transplanting. Prune and remove stems and branches with obvious symptoms of winter burn. If left in the canopy, these leaves and stems may be colonized by opportunistic stem cankering pathogens. Rabbit and vole injury can also be readily viewed at this time. Continue to use repellents and bark guards to keep these pests from chewing bark at the base of small-diameter trees and shrubs, especially fruit trees.
Berkshire Region (Great Barrington)
General Conditions: MUD. That best describes the general situation throughout the Berkshires. With increasing sunshine and daytime high temperatures mostly above freezing, soil surfaces have thawed. Yet, the soil level a few inches beneath the thawed surface layer remains frozen. As such, water in the thawed soil – and from melting snow – have created saturated soils – a.k.a. mud - at the surface. It is critical that foot and vehicular traffic stay off lawns and gardens. Such traffic can do considerable harm to soils via soil compaction. Compacted soils have reduced pore space, thus reducing oxygen levels in the soil, a situation which poses harm to plant roots and important soil microbes. Obviously, compacted soils also drain poorly. An exception to soil surface thawing is areas of total shade; the surface of the ground there remains frozen except on the warmest days thus far. Precipitation since the first of the year is a little above normal, i.e., 0.51 inches. However, the first 19 days of March has produced only 0.39 inches of precipitation; that is 1.66 inches below normal. Given the saturated soils at this time, the lack of precipitation poses no problem at the moment. Winds have been particularly destructive this winter. The highest and most destructive winds occurred on February 25th with gusts near 70 mph. The average wind speed for the day was 26.5 mph. Needless to say, there were many fallen branches and trees. Due to frozen soils, most of the fallen trees were not toppled out of the ground but the trunks were snapped off at some level. Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) are in bloom. In some landscapes, snowdrops came into bloom in February. There are also reports of species crocus in bloom.
Pests/Problems: Deer ticks are active and the first reports of ticks attaching to humans have come in. Deer ticks can be active at any time in winter when temperatures rise above freezing. The main concerns in landscapes at this time are the water-logged soils and wind-damaged trees, as mentioned above, and deer browsing on shrubbery.
Regional Scouting Credits
- CAPE COD REGION - Russell Norton, Horticulture and Agriculture Educator with Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, reporting from Barnstable.
- SOUTHEAST REGION - Kristin McCullin, Horticulturist reporting from Haskell Public Gardens, New Bedford.
- NORTH SHORE REGION - Geoffrey Njue, Green Industry Specialist, UMass Extension, reporting from the Long Hill Reservation, Beverly.
- EAST REGION - Kit Ganshaw & Sue Pfeiffer, Horticulturists, reporting from the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain.
- METRO WEST REGION – Julie Coop, Forester, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, reporting from Acton.
- CENTRAL REGION - Mark Richardson, Director of Horticulture reporting from Tower Hill Botanic Garden,Boylston.
- PIONEER VALLEY REGION - Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, reporting from UMass Amherst.
- BERKSHIRE REGION - Ron Kujawski, Horticultural Consultant, reporting from Great Barrington.
Woody Ornamentals
Diseases
Recent pests and pathogens of interest seen in the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab (https://ag.umass.edu/services/plant-diagnostics-laboratory):
Declining Norway spruce (Picea abies) from four separate properties in coastal counties. Insect pests included the Norway spruce gall midge (NSGM; Piceacecis abietiperda), spruce spider mite (SSM; Oligonychus ununguis) and eastern spruce gall adelgid (Adelges abietis). Diseases included stem cankering from Botryosphaeria s.l. and needle blight from Rhizosphaera and Lirula. Mature trees at all four sites exhibited canopy thinning and dieback with symptoms typically most prominent in the upper canopy. The NSGM continues to be a problem for Norway spruce in southern New England since widespread damage was first observed in 2015. Large, landscape trees can be severely impacted in some cases. Additionally, large Norway spruce trees can harbor serious infestations of the SSM and management of this pervasive pest can be difficult on these trees. While Norway spruce is resistant to many needle blight pathogens, drought stress and spider mite infestations makes them more susceptible.
Volutella blight, caused by Coccinonectria pachysandricola (previously known as Volutella pachysandricola), of Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis). Established bed, approximately 20-years-old, experiencing filtered light under a mature sugar maple. Symptoms of foliar blight, including marginal leaf browning and dieback, intensified dramatically in late September of 2018. The plants were receiving overhead irrigation every other day, which in conjunction with the extremely wet weather the region experienced last fall, likely facilitated a major outbreak of the disease. Most of the bed is very diseased and may be difficult to restore even with regular fungicide treatment. The first step in management was to end the overhead irrigation.
Unknown decline of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Tree is 25-years-old and has been present in a mulched, suburban yard for many years. The submitted branch segments exhibited yellowing/browning needles and premature needle shedding. Both needles and shoots were clearly stunted at the shoot tips. There were no symptoms or signs of stem cankering present. The symptoms were not readily visible in previous years. Two needle blight fungi were found (Rhizosphaera and Fabrella), but they are not believed to be the primary cause of the symptoms. Some type of abiotic stress is believed to be at fault, although what specific stress remains unknown.
Report by Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, UMass Amherst.
Insects
Woody ornamental insect and non-insect arthropod pests to consider, a selected few:
- Emerald Ash Borer: (Agrilus planipennis, EAB) The Massachusetts DCR Forest Health Program has reported finding infestations in 12 new communities in 2019 of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in the towns of Alford, Stockbridge, Hampden, Southwick, East Longmeadow, Monson, Wales, Brimfield, Spencer, Ayer, Groton, and Townsend. For a state map showing current detections as well as New England-wide quarantine areas, go to https://www.mass.gov/guides/emerald-ash-borer-in-massachusetts. For more detailed info on the Emerald Ash Borer, including life cycle, images of damage, and management strategies, go to UMass Extension's fact sheet at https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/emerald-ash-borer. To report a suspected find of this invasive insect, go to https://massnrc.org/pests/eabreport.htm.
This wood-boring beetle readily attacks ash (Fraxinus spp.) including white, green, and black ash and has also been found developing in white fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) and most recently, has been reported in cultivated olive (Olea europaea). Adult insects of this species will not be present at this time of year. Signs of an EAB infested tree may include (at this time) D-shaped exit holes in the bark (from adult emergence in previous years), “blonding” or lighter coloration of the ash bark from woodpecker feeding (chipping away of the bark as they search for larvae beneath), and serpentine galleries visible through splits in the bark, from larval feeding beneath. Positive identification of an EAB-infested tree may not be possible with these signs individually on their own.
- Winter Moth: (Operophtera brumata) The eggs of this insect, if they can be found, were laid by the females who emerged in November of 2018 and were active through the winter months (mainly November through December when temperatures are above freezing). Eggs are currently present in the landscape and hidden in cracks and crevices of bark or beneath lichen on host plants such as oak, maple, apple, blueberry, crabapple, etc. Eggs are tiny and green when first laid, but quickly turn a red-orange color soon after. At this time, anyone monitoring winter moth eggs will most likely see that they are orange in color. As the egg develops, it will turn a bright blue color, shortly prior to egg hatch. For more information about the life cycle and management of winter moth, please visit thisfact sheet: Winter Moth Identification and Management https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/winter-moth-identification-management
Winter moth is a non-native insect that was identified in Massachusetts for the first time in 2003 following persistent reports of defoliation in eastern areas of the state such as Cape Anne and on the North Shore near Cohasset, Hingham, and Rockland on the South Shore in the late 1990’s. For more detailed information about the history of this insect pest in North America and Massachusetts, please visit this fact sheet: Winter Moth in Massachusetts: History and Biological Control https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/winter-moth-in-massachusetts-history-biological-control
- Gypsy Moth:(Lymantria dispar) Egg masses laid by female moths in 2018 can be seen at this time. This is the stage of the insect that overwinters. Egg masses are “fuzzy” or hairy and brownish-tan in color. Each egg mass can hold up to 500-1000 eggs. These masses may be found on host plant trunks and branches such as oak (favored), maple, birch, poplar, and many others, but are also laid on inanimate objects including the surfaces of homes, outdoor furniture, camping equipment, firewood piles, etc. This may make the accidental movement of gypsy moth egg masses possible.
Egg hatch for this insect is also not yet upon us, and occurs after winter moth egg hatch. Gypsy moth egg hatch typically occurs between 90 -100 growing degree days, using a base of 50°F and average temperatures. This is usually around the first week in May in Massachusetts, but variations in temperature may lead to early egg hatch in the last week in April. This can also coincide with serviceberry (Amelanchier) bloom. After egg hatch occurs, groups of tiny gypsy moth caterpillars may remain on their egg mass just before crawling to the canopy of their host plant, where they can disperse using a technique known as “ballooning”. Ballooning occurs when very young caterpillars spin a silken thread and catch the wind to blow onto a new host plant once the thread breaks. This method of dispersal can lead to host plants becoming defoliated that previously did not have egg masses directly on them, however egg masses may be present on nearby oaks, for example, and provide a local population of caterpillars.
Now (until before the last week in April) is a great time to scout the landscape and count the number of gypsy moth egg masses present not only on valuable landscape specimens that are hosts for this insect, but on nearby forested hosts such as oak which might provide sources of ballooning caterpillars. Egg mass counts can help us make decisions regarding whether or not to manage for this insect. Some individuals also use this opportunity to scrape egg masses into a container of soapy water, although this is time consuming and some egg masses will be missed.
- Asian Longhorned Beetle: (Anoplophora glabripennis, ALB) Look for signs of an ALB infestation which include perfectly round exit holes (about the size of a dime), shallow oval or round scars in the bark where a female has chewed an egg site, or sawdust-like frass (excrement) on the ground nearby host trees or caught in between branches. These particular signs of damage from the beetle may be more visible at this time of year, when host trees such as maples are leafless. Be advised that other, native insects may create perfectly round exit holes or sawdust-like frass which can be confused with signs of ALB activity.
The regulated area for Asian longhorned beetle is 110 miles2 encompassing Worcester, Shrewsbury, Boylston, West Boylston, and parts of Holden and Auburn. If you believe you have seen damage caused by this insect, such as exit holes or egg sites, on susceptible host trees like maple, please call the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program office in Worcester, MA at 508-852-8090 or toll free at 1-866-702-9938. Adult insects of this species will not be present at this time of year.
To report an Asian longhorned beetle find online or compare it to common insect look-alikes, visit: http://massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx or https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pests-diseases/alb/report
Concerned that you may have found an invasive insect or suspicious damage caused by one? Need to report a pest sighting? If so, please visit the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project: http://massnrc.org/pests/pestreports.htm .
A note about Tick Awareness: deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis), the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), and the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) are all found throughout Massachusetts. Each can carry their own complement of diseases. Anyone working in tick habitats (wood-line areas, forested areas, and landscaped areas with ground cover) should check themselves regularly for ticks while practicing preventative measures. Have a tick and need it tested? Visit the web page of the UMass Laboratory of Medical Zoology (www.tickdiseases.org) and click on the red Test a Tick button for more information.
Reported by Tawny Simisky, Extension Entomologist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, & Urban Forestry Program
Plant of the Week
Hamamelis x intermedia, hybrid witchhazels
One of the first signs of spring are the flowers of Hamamelis x intermedia. A hybrid of H. japonica and H. molli, H. x intermedia is a small tree or large shrub growing 15-20’ tall and wide. Plants are often multi-stemmed with an upright oval to rounded spreading form. The often fragrant flowers occur in late winter or early spring, persisting up to a month. Flowers consist of four long, narrow, strap-like twisted petals and usually occur in clusters of 2-4. Cultivars offer colors from light yellow to orange to copper or red. Leaves are dark green to blue-green, 3-6” long with yellow to orange-red fall color depending on cultivar. Plants grow best in full sun to part shade in a moist, acidic, fertile soil. Best flowering is in full sun. Cultivars are often grafted on H. vernalis or H. virginiana rootstock. Suckering from rootstock is common and suckers should be removed for best growth. Leaf scorch can occur during periods of drought. Cultivars of interest include: ‘Arnold Promise’ –bright yellow fragrant flowers that bloom later than other cultivars and has good fall color; ‘Diane’ – copper-red flowers; ‘ Jelena’ – copper to yellow flowers, horizontal habit, and good orange-red fall color; and ‘Pallida’ – early flowering form with soft yellow fragrant flowers, wide-spreading, good yellow fall color.
Report by Mandy Bayer, Extension Assistant Professor of Sustainable Landscape Horticulture, UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture
Additional Resources
To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
For a complete listing of upcoming events, see our Upcoming Educational Events page.
For commercial growers of greenhouse crops and flowers - Check out UMass Extension's Greenhouse Update website
For professional turf managers - Check out Turf Management Updates
For home gardeners and garden retailers - Check out home lawn and garden resources. UMass Extension also has a Twitter feed that provides timely, daily gardening tips, sunrise and sunset times to home gardeners, see https://twitter.com/UMassGardenClip
Diagnostic Services
A UMass Laboratory Diagnoses Landscape and Turf Problems - The UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab is available to serve commercial landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries and other green industry professionals. It provides woody plant and turf disease analysis, woody plant and turf insect identification, turfgrass identification, weed identification, and offers a report of pest management strategies that are research based, economically sound and environmentally appropriate for the situation. Accurate diagnosis for a turf or landscape problem can often eliminate or reduce the need for pesticide use. For sampling procedures, detailed submission instructions and a list of fees, see Plant Diagnostics Laboratory
Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing - The University of Massachusetts Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory is located on the campus of The University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Testing services are available to all. The function of the Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory is to provide test results and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical use of soils and soil amendments. For complete information, visit the UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory web site. Alternatively, call the lab at (413) 545-2311.
Ticks are active any time that temperatures are above freezing! Remember to take appropriate precautions when working and playing outdoors, and conduct daily tick checks. UMass tests ticks for the presence of Lyme disease and other disease pathogens. Learn more
