Clematis Wilt
This month you may have noticed shriveling of some stems on your clematis, while others of us have been so unlucky as to experience a dramatic demise of the entire plant shriveling and turning black in a week. These symptoms are typical of a disease called clematis wilt.
Cause
These dramatic symptoms most often manifest just as the plant is about to flower, typically striking the flower buds and new growth first. In my research, I have found 2 fungi credited with causing this theatrical demise, Phoma clematidina and Ascochyta clematidina. These pathogens enter the vine’s vascular system and clog the fluid-carrying…
Electric Mower
Last summer in an attempt to become more environmentally friendly we replaced our gas-powered mower with a Brill RazorCut Premium 33 Reel Mower. The spinning blade of the reel mower works purely from the power of whoever is pushing it. In the beginning, this mower served our needs very nicely. We relied on it for mowing the lawns in both the Entrance Garden and the Terry Shane Teaching Garden. The reel mower worked beautifully when the lawn had been mowed weekly and there was no debris in the lawn.
We started to have problems with this mower when we received a…
5 Garden Party Tips
During the month of June, gardens all over the greater Philadelphia area are celebrating the World’s Largest Garden Party. With graduation and father’s day celebrations, you may find yourself holding a garden party this month too. Here are some tips and tricks that we use at the Scott Arboretum when throwing parties in our gardens.
Garden Party in the Pollinators Garden. photo credit: R. Robert
Day Before:
1. Mow your lawn at least one day before your party. Mowing the lawn stirs up a lot of allergies for many people and doing so the day before will prevent guests from sneezing throughout your…
