Buttonbush is highly tolerant of poorly drained soils and is commonly found in Ohio, thriving in wetlands and at the edge of ponds. However, it does not do well at the dry end of the soil moisture spectrum. It may also be attacked by sawflies and leafminers.

In a recent cemetery walk, I noticed a Japanese Maple that appeared to be two different plants. In actuality, there are two varieties in one. The reality is it was 2 different varieties of Japanese Maple. The question… Where is the Graft Union?

Sunflower Headclipping Weevil females are beheading members of the aster family with purple coneflowers being a primary target. Free of their heads, the coneflower stems look like soda straws.

Check out this week's Turfgrass Team Times with the latest and greatest information about all things turfgrass.

Brood XIV (14) of the 17-year Periodical Cicadas have come and gone in Ohio, leaving behind oviposition damage (flagging) as a reminder of their spring fling. Annual Cicadas are now arriving on the scene along with their nemesis, Cicada Killer Wasps. Later, another trophic level may be added with the arrival of Red Velvet Ants.

If Trees Could Talk, what would they tell us? When you look at the lifetime of older trees, our lifetime can seem brief. I had this thought while attending a graveside service last Saturday.

In 2021, I posted a BYGL Alert titled, “Itchy Alert” (August 9, 2021) regarding a possible connection between periodical cicadas and itchy outbreaks of a non-native parasitic “itch mite." The Alert referenced reports from Maryland of itchy outbreaks associated with Brood X (10) of the 17-year.

Brood XIV (14) of the 17-year periodical cicadas have returned to the soil in southern Ohio. However, their damage (flagging) has become obvious and will remain apparent for some time.

Consistent heavy rains, coupled with warm temperatures, have re-awakened a sleeping primeval organism in southwest Ohio landscapes. The ballooning yellowish-green or bluish-black blobs are the hydrated form of the ancient cyanobacterium, Nostoc commune (Nc).

Bladder galls are rising from the leaf surfaces of poison ivy and fragrant sumac. The galls on both plants are the handiwork of the Poison Ivy Leaf Gall Mite (Aculops rhois).