Put the spray bottle down and start growing more trouble-free plants
If I had a nickel for every time I ’ve been asked what product should be used on a lilac to terminate powdery mildew , I ’d be on a beach somewhere tropic , or , more realistically , using my riches to feed my plant addiction . My reception is to rip out the offender and constitute something that does n’t necessitate chemicals to stay healthy . I do n’t know many people who enjoy the disbursal , attempt , or ecological detriments of using antifungal agent and other disease cure and preventatives . Even the homemade curative are too much of a trouble for me ; I have well things to do in my garden . Instead of conk through the endless rhythm of spray and drenching your plants , then await for the next outbreak , perhaps consider the many improved selections of that mintage or genus , or turn to less troublesome look - alikes . While no plant is totally disease - validation , these options can provide the same or an even better garden show as the old classics , without all the fuss .
Problem plant: Catawba rhododendron
Photo : gapphotos.com/Chris Harris
Phytophthora leafage blight . Photo : Adobe Stock / Sergey Kamshylin
( Rhododendroncatawbienseand cvs . , Zones 4–8 )
Susceptible to : Phytophthora
Try these instead:
Radiance™ rhododendron won’t sweat it in the heat of summer
R.‘Tyler Morris ’
Zones:6–9
Size:4 to 5 foundation tall and wide
condition : fond to full tint ; moist , well - debilitate soil
Native range : cross
In many surface area , especially throughout the South , evergreen rhododendron are hard to grow because they typically resent heat and humidness . Without limited accommodations , rhodies in affectionate locales get stressed and become susceptible to numberless disease . Radiance ™ rhododendron and the respite of those in the Southgate ® series are proven performers throughout the South and up into traditional rhody country in the North . Large truss of lilac buds on this excerpt undefendable to paler pinkish flowers in spring . bring home the bacon some shade and well - drained organic soil for best results , although it can take more sun in areas with cooler summers .
Captivating foliage is just the cherry on top of Ruby Ruffle® purple-leaf dwarf peach
Prunuspersica‘NC Peach-6 ’
Zones:5–8
Size:4 to 7 foot tall and wide-eyed
Conditions : Full sunshine ; moist , well - drained soil
Native range : Northwest China
This midget peach has productive semidouble cryptic - pink flowers that cover the branch in early spring just as the foliage begin to appear . The long , narrow folio emerge dark Bourgogne and hold their colouring material evenhandedly well through much of the summertime . This miniature deciduous tree diagram will produce some attractive fruits , which unfortunately are not edible . It makes a jazzy specimen in the garden or in a big container . The attractive form and dark barque also offer winter interest . Be cognisant that the seeds , wilt leaves , and bark of peach trees are toxic to humans and animals .
Problem plant: Crabapple
photograph : Michelle Gervais
Cedar Malus pumila rust . Photo : good manners of Janna Beckerman
( Malusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 )
Susceptible to : Scab , true cedar orchard apple tree rust , powdery mildew , fire blight
Firebird® crabapple’s large red fruits stay glossy and repel rust
M. sargentii‘Select A ’
Zones:4–8
Size:8 to 10 feet tall and wide
Photo: gapphotos.com/Chris Harris
condition : Full sun ; well - drained ground
Native range : Japan
There is a laundry list of diseases that can affect crabapples . Firebird ® shows outstanding resistance to just about all of the most common problem . It is a naturally compact Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that has a rounded head when young but will ultimately produce a bite wider than tall . Red buds open to snowy flowers in a stunning spring show . The almost half - in - wide hopeful red fruit that follow are quite persistent throughout declination and into winter .
Photo: gapphotos.com/Chris Harris
Japanese snowbell’s year-round interest makes it a sure winner
Styraxjaponicus
Zones:5–9
Size:20 to 30 substructure tall and wide
Phytophthora leaf blight.Photo: Adobe Stock/Sergey Kamshylin
Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; well - enfeeble territory
Native reach : Japan , Korea , and southern China
Japanese Styrax obassia offer the leaping time of year beyond early blooming Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrub . One - inch - wide white bells with chicken stamens emerge in later spring and dangle under leave that model above the flower like little butterfly stroke . These blooms are gently fragrant and very showy up close . Small gray fruit follow , which put up some pastime . Foliage turns yellow and red in fall and the suave , sinewy gray barque is also quite beautiful in wintertime . Flowering is dependable in full sun , and works call for relatively steady moisture over summertime to thrive .
Photo: courtesy of JC Raulston Arboretum, NC State University
Problem plant: Boxwood
Turkish boxwood blight . exposure : good manners of Mary Ann Hansen , Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
( Buxussempervirensand cvs . , Zones 5–8 )
Susceptible to : Boxwood plague
Photo: courtesy of JC Raulston Arboretum, NC State University
Harland boxwood’s resilience will have you replanting that hedge you gave up on
B. harlandii
Zones:7–9
Size:2 to 5 feet tall and wide
Photo: Michelle Gervais
atmospheric condition : Full sun to partial wraith ; evenly moist , well - drained soil
Native range : Coastal southeast China and Vietnam
This good-looking evergreen plant feature big , glossier leafage than typical boxwoods . It grows as a small rounded to vase - shaped shrub , often with its stem showing at the base rather of its foliage stretch forth flush to the ground . Its typical size is 3 feet improbable and wide , but it can grow to 5 feet tall in time . In addition to prove resistance to plague , it is quite resistant to damage from leafage miners . Like most box , it is drought kind once build and more tone tolerant than one would think .
Cedar apple rust.Photo: courtesy of Janna Beckerman
‘Raulston Hardy’ small-leaved viburnum holds its own even when not in bloom
Viburnumobovatum‘Raulston Hardy ’
Zones:6–10
Size:3 to 4 feet tall and broad
Photo: millettephotomedia.com
condition : Full sun to partial shade ; moist , well - drain soil
aboriginal range : Southeastern United States
‘ Raulston Hardy ’ small - leave behind genus Viburnum is a selection of a native southeasterly shrub that spring a belittled covered stadium of semi - evergreen foliage with masses of white pollinator - friendly heyday in mid - spring followed by black fruits . Often it will continue to flower off and on throughout much of the year . In warm winters the foliage takes on plum tree timber but will shed if temperature drop to the mid to lower teens . Once established , it is unbelievably drought kind . Over prison term , it can sucker ( but those shoot are easy removed ) .
Photo: Michelle Gervais
Problem plant: Common lilac
pic : Jennifer Benner
Powdery mildew . Photo : good manners of Iowa State University
( Syringavulgarisand cvs . , Zones 3–7 )
Photo: Michelle Gervais
Susceptible to : Powdery mildew
‘Declaration’ early flowering lilac provides the classic look without the classic problems
S.×hyacinthiflora‘Declaration ’
Zones:4–7
Size:6 to 8 feet magniloquent and 5 to 6 feet wide
Boxwood blight.Photo: courtesy of Mary Ann Hansen, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
One of several great introductions from the U.S. National Arboretum , ‘ Declaration ’ early flowering lilac has flower that flower about a week before the common lilac but otherwise is quite similar , minus the tendency toward powdery mould . The blossom have a slightly more burgundy tint to them and are very fragrant . set it in full sun with adept aura circulation , and prune after flower to maintain sizing if require .
Beautybush proves that you can be tough and pretty
Kolkwitziaamabilis
Size:6 to 10 invertebrate foot tall and encompassing
Native range : Eastern China
Photo: JC Raulston Arboretum, NC State University
This bush certainly lives up to the name beautybush in spring when it explodes in bloom across its all-embracing , arching form . Individual blossoms are pallid pink with chickenhearted throats . This species was once more widely farm , but its large size of it coupled with increasingly smaller landscape has reduced its popularity . Beautybush flower on honest-to-goodness woodwind instrument , so rationalise it after blooming to control its size of it and to ensure that it flowers the following natural spring . Once established , this is an exceptionally resilient bush .
Problem plant: Flowering dogwood
Photo : David McClure
Spot anthracnose . Photo : Adobe Stock
( Cornusflorida , Zones 5–8 )
Photo: JC Raulston Arboretum, NC State University
Susceptible to : Powdery mould , spot anthracnose
Cherokee Brave® flowering dogwood provides a vivid spring show
C. florida‘Comco No . 1 ’
Size:15 to 30 metrical foot marvelous and 25 to 35 feet wide
Native mountain chain : Eastern North America
Photo: Jennifer Benner
This excerpt of our aboriginal dogwood was found as a chance seedling in Tennessee , where it stood out from its siblings with faster and more racy growth . The new growth flush out with Bourgogne coloring , and the bloom bract are a deep pink - scarlet . Over meter , Cherokee Brave ® has proven to be quite mildew insubordinate as well as having estimable - than - normal anthracnose resistance . The small yellowed bloom in the center of the showy bracts bring home the bacon ambrosia for pollinators . In fall , fowl flock to the red berry that follow . For sound results , put up a fertile , moist but well - drained acidic grunge , and mulch well to keep the roots cool .
The delicate baby-pink bracts of Stellar Pink® dogwood belie its vigor
C.×rutgersensis‘Rutgan ’
Size:15 to 30 foot tall and wide
Stellar Pink ® bears prominent soft - pink bracts that overlap to give an particularly showy display . It blooms just after flowering dogwood tree , right on as its leaves start to go forth . This selection is a vigorous agriculturist when immature , with a very uniform habit . It also has excellent powdery mildew and anthracnose resistance . In addition to its resilience and showy blossoms , its capitulation leafage colour is lustrous red . As a sterile loanblend , it produces no yield . It favour a moist , well - drained soil but has shown quite estimable drought tolerance compared to flowering dogwood and will accept more difficult situations .
Powdery mildew.Photo: courtesy of Iowa State University
Problem plant: Garden phlox
Photo : Steve Aitken
Powdery mold . picture : David McClure
( Phloxpaniculata , Zones 3–8 )
Photo: Doreen Wynja/Monrovia
Beloved for a reason, ‘David’ phlox remains one of your best bets
P. paniculata‘David ’
Zones:3–8
Size:2 to 4 metrical foot marvelous and 2 to 3 foot wide
Photo: Nancy J. Ondra
This classical selection , to begin with launch growing in southeast Pennsylvania , revolutionized the beautiful but mildew - prone native garden phlox . originate in other summertime , ‘ David ’ is lead by sturdy husk bearing quite a little of blossom in tiered domes . rather of the distinctive pinkish - lilac peak color of the species , ‘ David ’ is stark white , with showy flowers that attract butterflies in profusion . It does not care to dry out out while in active increment , so provide pee or a summer mulch .
Large-leaved phlox is a native species so nice you might just let it run wild
P. amplifolia
Zones:4–9
Size:2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Photo: David McClure
This widespread native is not nearly as vulgar as garden phlox but deserve to be much more wide known . The blossoms run to be light in colouring than its more popular full cousin , and the flower cluster are retain higher above the leaf for a soft look . This mintage will meander about the garden via underground rhizomes and can create sizable patches . turgid - leaved phlox ’s excellent mold resistance , vigorous riding habit , and increased drouth tolerance make it a no - brainer for perennial borders , pollinator gardens , or natural meadows .
Problem plant: Cherry laurel
pic : good manners of JC Raulston Arboretum , NC State University
Shot hole fungus . pic : Adobe Stock
( Prunuslaurocerasusand curriculum vitae . , Zones 6–8 )
Spot anthracnose.Photo: Adobe Stock
Susceptible to : buck mess fungus
A close look-alike, Portuguese laurel has the added bonus of heat tolerance
P. lusitanica
Zones:7–10
Size:10 to 25 feet tall and wide
Photo: Jack Coyier
Native range : Southwestern Europe and Morocco
While not quite as cold - hardy as cerise bay wreath , this relative makes a handsome backup man , with glossy evergreen plant foliage and fragrant white flowers in summer . These are followed by cherry fruits in dusk that become a disconsolate purple . In addition to its electrical resistance to shot hole fungus and its four seasons of interest , it is a larval emcee for the easterly tiger morning coat butterfly . Lusitanian laurel tolerates pruning well and can be kept to 6 foot tall by regularly edit out it back . As the name suggests , this laurel herald from Portugal , Spain , and even northern Africa , make believe it exceptionally fire up tolerant and comparatively drouth tolerant once established .
Switch things up with Coppertone™ distylium’s color-changing foliage
Distylium‘PIIDIST - terzetto ’
Size:3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 5 foot wide
Conditions : Full sun to partial nuance ; wet to well - drained soil
Photo: courtesy of Monrovia
Distylium has risen promptly from the obscurity of botanical garden into the mainstream . It is becoming a go - to shrub for landscapers looking for true evergreen plant . The performance has been mixed on some of the early entry to the food market , but Coppertone ™ has test its worth with blue - unripe foliage that emerges coppery red-faced with a habit that spreads outwards . Dark ruby - Bourgogne bottlebrush peak appear in late winter . Once established , it will tolerate both damp soils and temperate drought . Reports argue it is fairly cervid insubordinate , but your deer may not have read the tag .
Problem plant: Red tip photinia
picture : gapphotos.com/Frederic Didillon
foliage spot . Photo : courtesy of Tom Creswell / Purdue University
( Photinia×fraseri )
Photo: Steve Aitken
Susceptible to : Leaf smear
Red Fury™ photinia is an easy-care, wildly showy evergreen
P. glabra‘Parsur ’
Zones:7–11
Size:8 to 12 feet improbable and 5 to 8 feet wide
Powdery mildew.Photo: David McClure
aboriginal range : Southern China and Japan
The once ubiquitous carmine backsheesh genus Photinia is synonymous with folio spot , but this excerpt ( sometimes sold as Dynamo Red ™ ) is quite disease immune . It grows quickly to 10 infantry tall , make it excellent for hedging . unexampled growth is glossy , brilliant burgundy - bolshie and the form is very dense , throw pruning mostly unnecessary except to hold acme . White efflorescence clusters are showy among the emerge red leaves . Once established , Red Fury ™ is elusive and comparatively drought tolerant .
Plant a wall of fragrance with holly tea olive
Osmanthus heterophyllus
Size:8 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide
Native range : Japan and Taiwan
Photo: Michelle Gervais
Holly teatime Olea europaea is an erect evergreen shrub with prickle - edged , holly - like leaves when new , which develop smooth side with just a terminal point as the industrial plant ages . whitened flower bloom in declination and are intensely fragrant , especially in the evening . The foliage is a dark black - putting surface , which highlights the shining blossoms . This shrub makes for an splendid hedging and can be pruned for size . It will have a more assailable habit if grown in spook and a more dense one in sun .
Mark Weathington is the director of the JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University in Raleigh , and the generator ofGardening in the South : The Complete Homeowner ’s Guide .
source :
Photo: courtesy of Mt. Cuba Center
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Photo: courtesy of JC Raulston Arboretum, NC State University
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Shot hole fungus.Photo: Adobe Stock
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Photo: gapphotos.com/Frederic Didillon
Leaf spot.Photo: courtesy of Tom Creswell/Purdue University
Photo: Jennifer Benner
Photo: millettephotomedia.com
