Prune Spring-flowering Shrubs
Spring-flowering shrubs, like Lilac, Forsythia, Weigela, Deutzia, Chokeberry, Cherry, and Viburnum, should be pruned right after they are done blooming but before early July.
Pruning now encourages new growth, which in turn produces more flowers and a healthier plant.
Cutting Back Bulb Foliage
Removing the foliage of bulb plants like Daffodils, Tulips, and Hyacinths before they have turned yellow will reduce the amount of blooming for the next year.
These plants produce their flower buds in the time between blooming and when the foliage turns.
Evergreens
Evergreens are notorious for attracting both bagworms and mites around the emd of May when temperatures start to get really warm. Other shrubs can be affected as well.
Bagworms start with a small worm that feeds on foliage, from which it makes it’s bag. By the time the bag is over one inch long, the insect is done feeding and is no longer susceptible to insect sprays.
Mites are so tiny that they are usually not dedected until damage has occurred. Also found mostly on evergreens, mites show up when conditions are warm and dry. Look for tiny, moving reddish-brown mites after knocking debris from the shrub onto the palm of your hand.
Both insects can be controlled by Fertilome Triple Action Plus.
Rhizoctonia on Blue Spruce
Rhizoctonia can be determined on Blue Spruce trees by observing that the dying needles are lilac colored. Many dying needles may be rust colored, yellow, or brown, but this light purple color is unique to the disease Rhizoctonia.
This disease can best be controlled by spraying with Fertilome Triple Action II as new growth emerges in mid-spring.
