Meyer Lemon Leaf Curl: Aphids Are the Usual Suspect

Check Under the Curls Leaf curl on Meyer lemon typically means aphids feeding on leaf undersides. Look for tiny green or brown insects. Treatment Spray horticultural soap or oil, covering undersides thoroughly. Repeat

Arborvitae Row with Center Dieback: Drainage Problem Suspected

Four in the Middle Dying 30-ft row of 10-ft arborvitae in Pacific NW. Center 4 are 80% brown; others have scattered browning. Uniform center decline = localized drainage issue. Diagnose and Fix Check soil in center vs.

Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge Under 20 Feet for North Carolina

Alternatives to Leyland Cypress Leyland cypress grows 50+ ft—too tall. For 10-20 ft screen in NC, consider: Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta) – evergreen, 15-20 ft, red berries, spiny leaves deter deer. Pyracantha – 10-15 ft

Identifying "Spirex Flamingo": Likely Spiraea, Styrax, or Pieris

No Plant Named Spirex Probable matches for a plant sold as Spirex Flamingo: Spiraea – deciduous, rounded, 5 ft, summer flowers. Styrax (Japanese Snowbell) – deciduous tree to 30 ft, bell flowers, fall fruit. Pieris japo

Best Shade Plants for North Side of House in Tulsa, OK

Dense Shade Winners 25-30 ft bed, north side, little to no direct sun. Eleagnus failed. Try these shade-tolerant shrubs and groundcovers: Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) – winter flowers, vase shape. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Deer-Resistant, Shade-Tolerant Shrubs for North-Facing Foundation in NJ

Recommended Mix North-facing, 3-4 hours sun, deer/rabbit pressure, zones 6-7. Avoid junipers. Combine for texture, color, seasonal interest: Andromeda (Pieris) – evergreen, red new growth, shade-tolerant. Forsythia – ea

Lemon Tree Yellowing Leaves: Frost, Aphids, or Both?

Check Recent Weather and Insects Lemon tree in Sacramento yellowing and dropping leaves while nearby citrus are fine. Two main suspects: Warm spell then freeze – common spring damage pattern. Aphids – check leaf undersi

Crepe Myrtle Frost Damage: Fertilize, Water, and Monitor

Late Frost Hit New Growth Crepe myrtles in Charlotte, NC leafed out early, then got hit by frost. Leaves look like dried spinach. Only Thing to Do Apply a good organic fertilizer. Keep watered during dry spells. Watch

Three Azaleas Dead After Winter: Winter Desiccation Diagnosed

Age Difference Rules Out Pests A 15-year-old pink azalea and two 1-year-old red azaleas all browned and dropped leaves over winter. No watering during winter. Different ages dying together = environmental cause. Winter

Yellow Fungus on Japanese Maple Branches: Likely Wood Rot, Not Surface Fungus

Internal Decay Yellow growth on branches of a 12-year-old Japanese maple is likely the fruiting bodies of an internal wood rot fungus. Fungicides cant reach it. Next Step Hire a certified arborist to inspect. Theyll ass

Tea Olive (Osmanthus) Not Blooming After Fall Planting in Florida

Two Likely Reasons Tea olive planted in November in Central Florida isnt blooming. Causes: Transplant shock – energy goes to roots, not flowers. Cold snap – even light frost damages flower buds (least cold-hardy Osmanth

Alberta Spruce Dying from Bottom Up: Not Spider Mites, Likely Drainage

Pattern Points to Roots Bottom-up dieback on Alberta spruce isnt spider mites (they cause random patchy browning). Its classic poor drainage/wet feet—roots suffocate in waterlogged soil. Diagnose and Fix Dig near the r

Nandina Stems Stripped of Leaves: Not Insects, Likely Animals (But Toxic!)

No Insect Eats Nandina Leaves Nandina foliage contains cyanogenic compounds—animals that eat it get sick, have seizures, or die. So leaf stripping isnt insect feeding. Possible Causes Small animals (rabbits, deer) may

Treating Photinia Leaf Spot: Early Fungicide Application Is Key

Same Disease, Same Protocol Brown spots on Photinia = Entomosporium leaf spot. Early, repeated fungicide application is the only effective control. Recommended Fungicides (per NC State) Banner (propiconazole) Daconil 2

Red Tip Photinia Dying: Entomosporium Leaf Spot Confirmed

Diagnosis Middle plant dying, others with yellow leaves and dark spots = Entomosporium maculatum, a devastating fungal leaf spot. Fungicide Protocol Apply a labeled fungicide (Banner, Daconil, Fore, Bayleton, or Fungin

Pruning Leggy Purple Leaf Plum Shrub in Chicago

Timing and Technique Purple leaf plum (Prunus × cistena) in Chicago is 4-5 feet, leggy, with bare branches. Prune in two stages: Now: Remove all dead, damaged, or crossing branches. After flowering (late spring): Cut ba

Sticky Substance on Acer (Maple) Leaves: Honeydew from Aphids or Scale

Identify and Treat The sticky coating is honeydew—excrement from sap-sucking insects (aphids or scale). Check leaf undersides and stems for small green/brown insects (aphids) or immobile bumps (scale). Treatment Spray

Japanese Red Maple Main Trunk Dead, Basal Shoots Alive: Graft Failure?

Most Likely Cause The main trunk died but basal shoots thrive. This classic pattern indicates a failed graft union—the desirable cultivar (scion) died, leaving the rootstock to sprout. Options If under warranty, reques

Reviving a 30-Year-Old Gardenia Ravaged by Aphids

Two-Pronged Attack A massive, 30-year-old gardenia in NC was hit hard by aphids last year. Its leafing out with buds but looks weak. Immediate Care Spray for aphids now with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap—cover

Photinia 'Red Robin' Losing New Leaves: Check Drainage

Cultural Problem, Not Pests No scale or aphids visible, but new red leaves drop. Photinia hates wet feet. Check for water puddling around the root zone. Fix Drainage, Then Strengthen If soil stays soggy, amend with com