Iris borer is the most serious pest of iris in Wisconsin. Iris plants attacked by iris borer will discolor, wilt, and die during late June and July. On close examination of affected plants, a pinkish-white caterpillar can be found feeding on the inside of rhizomes. This factsheet covers identification and control of this serious pest.
May/June beetles or “Junebugs” are native insects common throughout Wisconsin often be seen near lights on early summer evenings. Learn about these large beetles and their larva in the soil in this factsheet.
Amaryllis bulbs make wonderful holiday gifts with their large, colorful long-lasting flowers. Learn more on basic care and how to maintain these plants to get them to rebloom in this article.
Cyclamen persicum is a tender plant that is grown as a houseplant for its bright white, pink or red flowers that can bloom for months. It may be difficult to provide the right conditions to get this plant to rebloom, however. To learn more about what cyclamen needs to thrive, read this article.
If you want to grow something a little different, with grassy foliage and relatively large flowers, consider pink rain lily. This tender bulb gets its common name from the color of the flowers that burst into bloom after a good rain. Easy to grow in containers, it makes a good summer patio plant or a year-round houseplant. Learn more in this article…
Leaf streak is a common disease of daylilies, affecting daylilies wherever they are grown. Daylily varieties can vary widely in terms of their susceptibility to the disease. Oftentimes leaf streak is a cosmetic problem, causing little damage, but sometimes can cause substantial leaf loss or complete defoliation of daylily plants. Learn how to manage this disease in this factsheet.
Hollyhock rust is the most common fungal leaf disease of hollyhocks. Hollyhock rust can quickly spread, causing stunting of plants and premature leaf drop. In rare instances, hollyhock rust can result in plant death.
Though not yet found in Wisconsin, Thousand Cankers disease (TCD) is a serious, potentially fatal disease of black walnut, a native tree. Learn what to watch for here.
Bacterial soft rots are diseases that damage succulent plant parts including fruits, tubers, stems and bulbs. Learn how to identify and avoid problems with bacterial soft rot in this factsheet.
Impatiens downy mildew is a serious threat wherever impatiens are grown, including Wisconsin. Impatiens downy mildew has been so destructive in the past that it has made impatiens unusable as a garden ornamental.
Brown rot is a destructive fungal disease of the genus Prunus, including plums, cherries, apricots, and peaches. This factsheet will help you identify and manage brown rot.
Common corn smut is a fungal disease that affects field, pop and sweet corn, and forms swellings (galls) on ears, kernels, tassels, husks, leaves, stalks, buds and even aerial roots of the plant. Learn more here.
