Dogwoods Are Dazzling

While on our BYGL conference call, I shared the glorious status of Kousa dogwoods (Cornus kousa var. chinensis) right now in NE Ohio.  Only one word can describe them, “OUTSTANDING”!!  Then Joe Boggs from the southern reaches of the state, asked me to repeat what I said about the Kousa’s here.  I told him that they were just reaching their full glory and were unbelievable due to the cooler weather and moisture.

 

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Erik Draper
Periodical Cicada: Rounds 1 and 2 boggs.47@osu.edu Tue, 06/18/2019 - 17:07
Brood VIII (Eight) of the 17-year periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.) have made their presence known in parts of northeastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. As with past brood emergences, the overall geographical distribution is spotty; however, there are localized pockets with heavy cicada activity.
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Joe Boggs

Magnolia Scale is Puffing-Up and Dripping Honeydew

Magnolia scale females are "puffing-up" and dripping copious quantities of honeydew in southwest Ohio. This native scale has a strong affinity for non-native magnolias and associated hybrids. Common hosts include star magnolia, lily magnolia, and saucer magnolia. Native magnolias are more resistant perhaps because of natural defenses that developed through a shared evolutionary history with the scale.
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Joe Boggs

Yucca Plant Bug

I've long admired yucca (Yucca spp., family Asparagaceae) but realize many do not share my enthusiasm for these agave cousins. Indeed, searching the web using "yucca" as the keyword yields almost as many websites offering advice on how to kill it as how to grow it.
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Joe Boggs

Herbaceous Plant School at Secrest: June 27

An Herbaceous Perennials and Annuals School ill be held at Secrest Arboretum on Thursday, June 27, featuring the stylings of Pam Bennett, OSU State Master Gardener Coordinator and Trial Gardens Guru, Matt Shultzman, the man behind Secrest's herbaceous plantings and more teachers and learned. Join us for good food, good walks and displays, and a whole lotta learnin'.
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Authors
Jim Chatfield
Pam Bennett
Erineum Patches on American Beech Leaves boggs.47@osu.edu Tue, 06/11/2019 - 17:06
Felt-like eriophyid mite erineum patches are now very obvious on American beech (Fagus grandifolia) in southwest Ohio. I've long identified the culprit behind the patches as Acalitus fagerinea (family Eriophyidae). However, I'm now convinced there may be two species of eriophyids that produce erineum patches on American beech.
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Joe Boggs

Woody of the Week - Kousa Dogwood

The kousa dogwood (Cornus florida) is an eye catcher. This 15 - 30 foot tall tree flowers a little later in the season compared to the native flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). The flowers, including the bracts which some people call erroneously call petals, appear above the tree's foliage. I have observed the bracts holding on for weeks. The fruit will develop as the season progresses and I have observed the squirrels having a feast as they ripen. 
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Amy Stone