Question
I do my own landscaping and yard work. I find satisfaction in digging in the ground - it's great for relieving stress. But I have some plants that are dying.

I need help.

I'm not sure of the name of the shrubs, they stay green all year and make a nice hedge. They are dying. They have little white 'things' on the leaves and the branches. I don't think it's white flies because they don't fly. They can be rubbed off the leave very easily. They shake off and float around like dust but don't fly like white flies do when you shake the plant.

Another problem I am having is with my gardenias. I have lost one plant and cut back two to about a foot high. These were about 4 feet tall. The leaves turned yellow and the plant just kept dying. I sprayed for white flies and put acid in the soil. The ones I cut back have new growth on the branches so there may be hope for them.

I had about six Indian Hawthornes on a slight hill that died. When I plant new ones in the same spot - they don't make it either. I have two left on the same hill. These are mature plants with a spread of about four feet.

My stress relieve has begun to cause stress - I don't know what to do!!

Please, any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you
Diane  

Answer
Diane,

There are several possiblities for the hedge type shrub- Hemlocks or Yews for needled plants, or Rhododendrons for braod leaf plants. Hemlocks get Hemlock Wooley Adelgid, Yews are attacked by Mealybug and Rhodys are beset by Cushion Scale or Mealybugs. For all these insects I would recommend treating the plants with Horticultural oil this Spring and again in the Fall.

The Gardenias require a highly acidic environment to grow. Continue using the acid fertilizer and they should recover.

I would have to say that the problem with the hawthornes is probably due to the area they are being planted in. I would recommend that you have a PH test done on the soil. They prefer a PH between 6 and 7. You will also have to keep any new ones planted well watered for the first 6 months they are in. Put down some granular fertilizer and mulch when planting.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen