The spotted lanternfly has made its way to Crofton. They have recently been spotted at Historic Linthicum Walks. 

The University of Maryland Extension advises to pause before you spray. There are important considerations:

• Spotted Lanternfly is mainly a nuisance pest in residential gardens and landscapes and has not been shown to significantly damage otherwise healthy ornamental plants.
• Spraying pesticides, including home remedies, can do more harm than good when it comes to spotted lanternfly in residential greenspaces. Any chemicals can potentially harm pollinators and beneficial insects.
• Consider more sustainable management options or leaving spotted lanternflies for predators to feed on.
• This pest does not bite or sting. Spotted lanternfly has piercing-sucking mouthparts and feeds on plant sap from a wide range of plants including grapes, hops, apples, stone fruits, maples, walnuts, and other plant species. Its feeding has not killed plants (except for grapes). It is primarily a threat to Maryland's agricultural crops. 

All Maryland residents, from any county, are urged to report sightings of spotted lanternfly to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. This data is important for tracking phenology and population levels. Questions or concerns about this pest can be submitted to UMD Ask Extension, by email to [email protected], or call (410) 841-5920.

For more information on spotted lanternfly in home gardens, click the button below.

Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) are an invasive species that feed on the leaves, flowers, and fruit of more than 275 plant species, particularly those in the rose family. Their larvae, or grubs, damage turfgrass by feeding on the roots of grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, ryegrasses, and bentgrasses, leading to browning and eventual death of the turf.
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According to the University of Maryland Extension, while some species of birds do feed on adult beetles, their efforts are insufficient to prevent damage to ornamental plants. Even the best insecticides provide only temporary relief when adult beetle populations are high. Most pesticides remain toxic for only a few days, leaving new plant growth unprotected. Due to the beetles’ continuous migration, 2 or 3 spray applications may be necessary to prevent significant damage to plants such as roses and grapes. Fortunately, many foliage plants can tolerate moderate defoliation.

​For more information on Japanese beetles and how to control them, click the button below.

HORTICULTURE TOPIC: English Ivy – Beauty or Beast?

English ivy, Hedera helix, is a popular evergreen ground cover for the shade and grows almost anywhere. It is a climbing or creeping plant with a woody stem, and can reach up to 100 feet with the aid of its aerial roots on the undersides of the shoots. Dark glossy evergreen alternate leaves are triangular, three to five lobed. In some areas, yellow-green flowers produce bitter black berries, which ripen the following year.

These plants are useful as well as attractive. Unsightly views can be hidden by growing English ivy as a screen on a trellis or unattractive structure. The vines also make an ideal ground cover under a tree where grass refuses to grow. However, it can completely enshroud the trunk and main limbs and shade out so many leaves that the tree dies due to lack of photosynthesis.

English ivy is both beauty and beast. Although it is invasive, it can be beautiful if it is contained and restrained. 

HORTICULTURE TOPIC: Bad Plants Planted by Good People

​At our November meeting, Horticulture Chair Nancy Percivall led an important discussion on invasive plants and the impact they have on Maryland’s ecosystems. Many invasive species are deceptively beautiful and continue to be sold at local nurseries and garden centers, contributing to their spread in our landscapes.

Nancy shared that, effective April 11, 2017, Maryland banned the sale of three aggressively spreading ornamentals: yellow flag iris, shining cranesbill, and fig buttercup. In addition, the state now requires warning labels to be posted next to displays of the following plants, which pose ecological threats due to their invasive nature: Burning bush, Border privet, and three non-native wisteria vines: Chinese wisteria, Japanese wisteria, and an Asian wisteria hybrid

These regulations are part of the state’s broader effort to protect native habitats from the harmful effects of invasive species, which often outcompete native plants and reduce biodiversity.

Click the link below for a helpful list of commonly planted invasive plants and consider choosing native alternatives to help preserve Maryland’s natural beauty and ecological health.