Participants in the OGIA/OSU Extension Diagnostic Walkabout held this past Monday in Cincinnati Parks’ T. M. Berry International Friendship Park observed the handiwork of our native Hydrangea Leaftier Moth caterpillars. The moth’s caterpillars appear to feed exclusively on our native Smooth Hydrangea, as well as varieties and cultivars.

The OGIA/OSU Extension Hands-On Diagnostic Walkabouts for Green Industry professionals are a comprehensive, hands-on training. Participants examine and discuss plants, plant pests, plant diseases, landscape designs, and other points of interest.

“Bleached” leaves are appearing on landscape roses in southwest Ohio. Unfortunately, I only need to walk to the end of my driveway to see the damage on ‘Knock Out’ roses.

April was an active month at the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic, with a wide range of plant health issues observed across ornamentals, fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers. Conifer samples were especially common, alongside recurring pest issues on boxwood. We also diagnosed several fungal and bacterial diseases in fruit and vegetable crops, as well as mite and bacterial problems in cut flowers.

You may have planted trees last year or the year prior. You may have staked them. Now is a good time to check your trees before they start to grow this season.

Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers are traveling through Ohio on their way to their nesting grounds. The sapsuckers mark their passage through our state with rows of holes drilled into trees, which may pose a diagnostic challenge to the uninitiated. Although they look like simple holes, there's more to them than meets the eye.

The OGIA/OSU Extension Hands-On Diagnostic Walkabouts for Green Industry professionals are a comprehensive, hands-on training. Participants examine and discuss plants, plant pests, plant diseases, landscape designs, and other points of interest.

Frost warnings have been issued for parts of Ohio this weekend, May 1st and 2nd 2026, according to the National Weather Service with chilly temperatures in the low 30’s for Friday night, especially North-central Ohio. Will this hurt my plants?

Spring has sprung! Warmer weather leads to outdoor activity and that can mean exposure to ticks. Ticks are active YEAR-ROUND and tick reports are ramping up for spring. Even with some colder days in the forecast, those ticks will be alive and kicking.