Spider mites typically produce speckling, and are just visible to the naked eye, on the underside of the leaf. When prolific, webbing should also be visible on leaves and stems.

Can someone tell me what Spider mite damage looks like on Tall Garden phlox plants? I have some Phlox that are really old and many new varieites and new plants. I really do not have trouble with powder mildew, but my leaves seem to scorch on some of my Tall phlox. I was wondering if that was from Spider mites or it is just to hot in the afternoon sun for these Phlox? The leaves seem to yellow dry out and fall off? Any help would be appreciated! Chaucer

I cut my phlox back to just a couple of inches above the base. Phlox foliage often gets a bit of powdery mildew late in the season so I want to get that out of the garden before winter. To collect phlox seed after the flowers fade they will form seeds. They are ripe when they are dark and I pluck them off as they ripen. Some put a nylon or small bag over the seed head to catch ripe seeds as the ripe pods open easily and seed falls to the ground. I no longer add winter mulch to my phlox as they are hardy and survive well without it. We've had a couple of nights in the twenties. The few clematis and mums that are blooming seem to be unaffected by the low temps. Same for several other blooming perennials. Think the temps need to be low for a longer period of time to end their bloom. In my zone pansies are more readily available and displayed in the spring. Some mornings they look terrible from being frozen but as they warm the foliage and blooms perk up and they are lovely again.

Jennifer —-(Spraying with Neem Oil and or and other mixtures to eradicate the insects organically could still harm those beneficial insects. Some people will just let those pest stay on the tree because they dont want to harm them. Its a difficlt choice to make for some and you need to understand that some bad infestations that might get out of hand and could cause your trees to become weak and allow other diseses to slowly kill your tree. i always try and let Mother Nature work on the right balance of the pest verses the beneficial insets to keep everything in check. But sometimes i will have to step in and use more than organic to combact the problem. its up to you to decide what is best for your tree. Laura Even those that eat leaves ___ Katydids 🌺