Southern Blight
Southern blight is a lethal fungal disease that is most common in the tropics and subtropics, but can cause problems in temperate locations like Wisconsin during periods of warm, moist weather. Learn more here.
Herbaceous Ornamentals
Herbaceous ornamentals add interest to our yards and gardens with bright, beautiful flowers and interesting foliage. Whether native, non-native, sun-loving or shade-tolerant, herbaceous plants invite wildlife, provide for pollinators, and bring us enjoyment with color, texture and fragrance.
Native & Naturalized Selection
If you’re unable to find the information you need, please submit your gardening question here:
Articles
Slime Molds
Ann Joy and Brian Hudelson, UW-Madison Plant Pathology Revised: 4/25/2004 Item number: XHT1091 What is a slime mold? Slime molds are members of a shape-shifting group of organisms called myxomycetes. These organisms are found all over the world, even in deserts, high altitudes, and on the edges of snowbanks. Although they often resemble fungi, slime […]
Fungus Gnats and Shore Flies in Greenhouses
Fungus gnat feeding on plant roots can cause root rots in greenhouse settings. Shore flies are often confused with fungus gnats in the greenhouse. Learn about these pests here.
White Mold
White mold is a serious and often lethal fungal disease that affects a wide variety of plants. Learn about symptoms and management in this factsheet.
Crown Gall
Crown gall is the most widely distributed bacterial disease of plants in the world. This factsheet describes what crown gall looks like and how to avoid problems with this disease.
Bird’s Nest Fungi
Bird’s nest fungi are not harmful to plants, but grow on decomposing organic matter, such as on mulch in planting beds with damp, shady conditions. Learn more in this factsheet.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are slow-moving, small, oval insects covered in white cottony wax. This factsheet describes the identification, biology and management of this insect pest.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are not true flies, but belong in the same order as scales, aphids and mealybuts. Several species can infest greenhouses. Learn how to identify and manage this pest in this factsheet.
Wireworms
Authors: David Lowenstein and Russell Groves, UW-Madison Entomology Last Revised: 05/22/2020 X-number: XHT1045 Wireworms are the larvae of several species of click beetles (Family Elateridae). These beetles flip into the air with an audible click when turned on their backs. Wireworms feed primarily on grasses (including grass crops such as corn) but have a broad host range that […]
Field Ants
Field ants are common in Wisconsin, and noted for producing large mounds that ruin home lawns and interfere with landscape plantings. This factsheet discusses identification and control.
Purple Loosestrife
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a fast-spreading, tall Eurasian plant that grows primarily in wetlands and ditches, but can invade home gardens. This factsheet covers identification and control of this attractive, yet invasive, plant.
Extending the Garden Season
Cold frames and hot beds, hoop houses, cloches, and floating row covers allow gardeners to grow plants earlier in spring and later in fall. Get ideas that will work for you in this factsheet.
