Candace, These are the Dwarf Wax Myrtles. Not what one thinks of as a Dwarf. I've been working in that area so it's still ongoing. The one on the left is limbed up nicely, but then I lost the privacy that I wanted. I had planned to plant some Abelia Grandiflora until the butterflies won out. So, Rue made it instead. At least, it's the rent house next door while the other blocks the view from the street. So, I may have to live with that for a while. Of course, it could revert back to a shrubby bush if it is left unpruned. It just looks so much better cleaned up. The one on the right might just remain like it is as it does provide more privacy. The last photo shows that it was planted too close to the fence and has grown through it to some degree as well as growing over it. I don't think they mind. But, it's worthwhile to keep it off the fence. I haven't gotten around to any pruning toward that. But, I don't want it to get any heavier wood, due to time, growing there. This turned out to be a good resource with all the photos that everyone has posted. ExMontrose person here. I saw that you lived in Houston. At least, you get more rain than we do up here. Xtal Good luck on your planting. Be sure to take Before and After photos along with some progressive age shots... not only for your own reference, but to be able to share them here as well.

I had nothing but a sore back for my efforts spraying for Western Flower Thrips. The big problem for someone with a lot of roses is the life cycle. Quoting from University of Minnesota, emphasis added: "Depending on environmental conditions and nutrient levels, female WFT lay 130Â230 eggs during their lifetime (Robb 1989). The female WFT has an external ovipositor with two opposable serrated blades that are used to cut through the plant epidermis and deposit eggs in the tissues below (Childers and Achor 1995). Eggs are deposited in leaves, bracts, and petals and hatch in 2 to 4 days (Pfleger et al. 1995). The eggs of WFT are fairly well protected and few pesticide sprays are effective against them. "WFT do not overwinter outdoors in the Upper Midwest but overwinter in soil and clover in the Mid-Atlantic states and southern Pennsylvania (Felland et al. 1995). Under greenhouse conditions, WFT probably reproduce continuously throughout the year. "WFT give birth to large numbers of young, have rapid reproductive cycles, and increase their population faster than their predators, so early detection and control is essential (Mound and Teulon 1995). The life cycle of WFT consists of five stages: egg, two feeding larval instars, nonfeeding prepupa and pupa instars, and adult (Figure 1). The development time from egg to adult is 7 to 13 days when temperatures range from 62 to 98F (Robb 1989)." Spinosad works upon contact or feeding on sprayed material. Given the extent of thrips in some environments (like mine), it's can be really tough to get the material on the bugs. I've learned that white roses grown close to the wilder areas of my garden are going to suffer, while darker roses in the same location, filled with thrips, look just fine. Here is a link that might be useful: Western Flower Thrips In Greenhouses

Hi Ken, I do know Bob as I used to be in the local Hosta Society here and so was he. Great idea to reach out to him. He is located about an hour from me. I think the report I got back was referring to 2 different planthopper nymphs, actually. The flatids are the ones I had, and they create the waxy substance that was on my scapes. The acanaloniid does not create the wax. Maybe I am confused? What I got after rereading their notes was references to multiple insects. I added a picture of the waxy substance for reference. "The samples contained several insects/arthropods. The most numerous (several specimens) were flatid planthopper nymphs (Flatidae). These create the large amounts of wax seen on the plant stems. The acanaloniid planthopper nymph is free-living and does not create the wax on the plant. There was also an unidentified pupal skin of a small moth (looks as though it did some feeding damage before pupating) and some silk with spider parts inside." I'm sure nobody is suggesting that I can completely eradicate the bad nematodes in my soil, but maybe the specific type that was a carrier for this unidentified virus will be reduced in that area enough so I can replant there in a couple of years. This hosta bed is an established bed, and Elvis Lives has been in that spot for at least 7 years, and possibly 8 years. The other hostas close by also have been there for a long time. I hope to reduce the chances of that virus spreading to my other plants.

Thanks. I have a "Brackens Brown" that was planted in Sp 2020 at about 30inches. It produced two spectacular flowers that Spring, one the next year and none in 2022. Some minor leaf drop last year so we will see what happens this winter. I live in Homewood about 13 miles from Lake Michigan. The tree is planted in slight shade facing south west. Mississippi native magnolias grow naturally in shaded woods. Yours has responded well to severe weather considering 2014 and 2019 were among the coldest on record for the Chicago region. . Big leaf and Sweet Bay do well in southeastern Cook County if properly sited but are rarely planted. I have not heard Magnolia grandiflora mentioned in the Chicago area especially about its hardiness. I imagine North Shore communities like Evanston -Lake Forest may have had success. I couild not find it in the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Does your tree produce flowers every year or just two flowers per year?