PPDL Picture of the Week
March 21, 2016
Disease Resistant Annuals and Perennials
Janna Beckerman, Associate Professor, Botany & Plant Pathology Dept, Purdue University
From plants to pants, impulse buying is something many of us
do, and later regret. That plant that looked so good in the store…is now
covered in powdery mildew--Or dead! Don’t get caught with your plants (or your
pants!) down. A little research and patience can really help with your plant
decision.
Some impulses stem from the need to save time or money.
However, impulse buying plants rarely saves you either. So, before you buy that
plant, compare the price to the value. That cheap plant in the big box store
six-pack might not be the best one for your yard, even if it is incredibly
convenient to buy right now (or priced really well). Do you want to spend every
weekend treating that plant with some sort of pesticide? Do you want to
regularly water and fertilize that annual? Do you want to turn your perennials into
annuals? Most people will answer no.
If so, say yes to disease resistant plants, which look
better with less pesticide (Fig. 1). Or go for some of those old-time favorite
annuals, like marigolds, portulaca (moss rose), and celosia, which suffer fewer
disease problems and perform like little troopers. Avoid peonies like this
susceptible “Alexander Fleming” peony, in favor of the more resistant Festivus Maximus,
or Itoh Hybrid (Fig. 2).
Click here for more information on ‘Disease
resistant annuals and perennials in the landscapes’.
This information and more is included in the Purdue Annual
Doctor and Purdue Perennial Doctor apps for Android and iphone. For more
information see: https://purdueplantdoctor.com