If you regularly mow your leaf covered lawn before the leaves get too thick, you may never have to rake a single leaf! The mower shreds the leaves into small pieces which will break down quickly in a compost pile. As long as the leaves aren't piled too deeply, a mulching mower makes the job even easier because the chopped leaves are deposited right on the lawn where they will break down over the winter, providing nutrients to the grass and improving soil structure.

Keezletown, VA 22832

White male scale insects cover a leaf. Note the yellowing of the leaf.

Scale insects feed by sucking juices from the plant with thread-like mouth parts. This causes damage to the stem and yellow stippling of the leaves. Eventually leaves are damaged enough that photosynthesis is reduced and in severe cases, leaf drop and the death of infested branches occurs. Heavy infestations may kill the entire plant.

Life Cycle of Euonymus Scale

Yellowing of Euonymus leaves due to feeding by scale insects.

Fertilized adult females overwinter on the stems of the plants. They lay their eggs in the early spring under the protection of their hard waxy shell. After the eggs are laid, the females die. The tiny crawler stage hatches from the eggs in April, May, and June. This stage is the most vulnerable to pesticide treatment because the crawlers are not protected by the hard waxy shell of the adult stage. These small nymphs crawl around the leaves and stems of the plant and mate before settling down to feed through mouth parts inserted into the plant tissue. At this point, they become sedentary and secrete their hard waxy shell. There may be up to 3 generations per year depending on the area of the country and at times all life stages may be present on a plant at the same time.

Control Measures -

• Natural predators like the lady beetle do an excellent job at suppressing heavy infestations of scale insects.
• If the problem isn't extensive, infested branches can sometimes be pruned out but if a shrub is repeatedly infested year after year, it may be wise to remove it and replace it with a more resistant variety.
• If chemical treatment is necessary, the timing of the application is important. The best time to control euonymus scale and other species of armored scale is when they are in the crawler stage since at this point they are not protected by a shell. Killing the first generation of crawlers (April, May, and June) provides the best control because at the time these hatch, the adults from the previous year have already died.  
• Horticultural oil sprays are very effective in killing the crawlers. Bonide All Seasons Oil and Pure Spray Green (from the makers of Clear Choice) are good choices. It is imperative to coat every surface of the plant (all sides of the leaves and stems) in order to achieve the best control.
• Systemic insecticides such as Bayer Advanced All-in-One Rose & Flower Care and Bonide Annual Tree and Shrub also provide effective control of crawlers and will also help suppress the adult stages of the scale insect.  
• Always read and follow the label directions
  when applying any pesticide.   

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew on euonymus

Powdery mildew is a common disease of the evergreen forms of Euonymus. It is usually more prevalent in the early summer and mid fall when nighttime temperatures are cooler but daytime temperatures are still warm.

Powdery mildew appears as a white to grayish brown coating on the upper surface of the leaves. It often causes yellowing of the foliage and in more severe cases, can result in leaf drop.

 

Controlling Powdery Mildew

This disease is very hard to control once it starts so take steps to prevent its occurrence: 

• Plant euonymus in full sun as much as possible.
• Keep shrubs thinned to improve air circulation and reduce humidity around the foliage
• Avoid overhead watering if possible

Unfortunately, this doesn't always protect them from infection. If powdery mildew appears on your shrubs, you will probably want to do some things to prevent its spread. When mildew first appears: 

• Prune out any severely diseased branches and destroy them or put them in the trash
• Rake up any dropped leaves and other plant debris from under the shrubs as mildew spores can overwinter in the old diseased foliage. 
• Spray the shrub and any new growth as it appears with a fungicide such as Bonide Copper Fungicide, Fung-onil, or Infuse.  
• Bayer Advanced All-In-One Rose & Flower Care can be applied at the base of the shrub according to the label for systemic control of powdery mildew. This also helps control euonymus scale at the same time.
• Always read and follow the label directions! 

Jef has 35 years of experience in creating beautiful artistic arrangements and displays for the holidays. Come to this great workshop and Jef will teach you some unique techniques for decorating at holiday time including a demonstration of how to flock greens. New this year, he will discuss incorporating the beautiful new battery operated LED lights into his arrangements.
Learn how to make:
Della Robbia wreaths, topiary trees and miniature Christmas trees, swags with fresh greens, boxwood balls, candle rings, and more!
Learn the art of gilding, how to use a glue pot, and how to make beautiful ribbons.
After this wonderful workshop, Andre will take you on a personal tour of his beautifully decorated home and gardens.

 
This Christmas wonderland takes Andre a full two weeks to complete and includes: