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MILLBROOK & AREA GARDEN CLUB

Unfortunately, the September 2nd garden club meeting with guest lecturer Dugald Cameron is cancelled. The operators of the church hall have decided at this time not to open their facilities until at least September 13th.

Basil Relief: For those who lost their basil due to basil downy mildew, the Independent grocery store in Port Hope has a large rack of green basil located on the south side of their outdoor garden plant display. The plants look healthy and while no price was evident, they are likely inexpensive as a clear-out. And also available as a clearance sale – there was (likely still there) one orphan Dutchman’s pipe vine on the sale rack at the far north end of the plant display just past the shrubs for sale (seem to recall someone looking for this vine).

Zucchini Attack- Squash Terror – the Dreaded Borer!!!

Millbrook Garden Club president Glen was shocked to discover that the horrid white grubs of the dreaded squash borer have wormed into the stems of his zucchini plants. He has followed the sage advice not to sow zucchini or squash seed in order avoid the period of the moth’s egg- laying cycle in early July and that has worked previously – but not this year! Anyone else having similar issues despite a late planting? Glen wonders if climate change is playing a role in the timing of the emergence of this pest. In our northern climate there is only one life cycle of this pest while there are two life cycles in the warmer southern US states. Perhaps with our ever-warming summers, the insect is now engaged in two life cycles here also? Or did the moths emerge later this year because of our very cold spring?

For those wondering why their zucchini or squash plants have suddenly gone limp despite watering and are struggling to control this borer… below are two informative links with good photos, descriptions and tactics (like the duct tape egg collecting strategy in the Savvy Gardening video as well as vine surgery). Squash vine borer adult moths emerge in late June or early July from cocoons in the ground. They are unusual moths because they fly during the day when almost all other moths (except maybe the hummingbird moth and gypsy moth) are night fliers. They are also noisy making a loud buzzing noise when they fly. They lay their eggs usually at the base of susceptible plants – although eggs can be also found on leaves. The larvae hatch about a week after the eggs have been laid and then the destructive white larvae bore into stems to feed thus blocking the flow of water to the rest of the plant – and thus the sudden wilting of the plant. https://www.almanac.com/pest/squash-vine-borer https://savvygardening.com/how-to-prevent-squash-vine-borers-organically/

Creeping Jenny and Golden Loosestrife Shredded??

Some may have noticed that their groundcover creeping jenny ( nummularia) is now shredded or that their golden loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) or any other member of the Lysimachia family is being completely decimated by dozens of small silvery-green .

It has been thought these ‘caterpillars’ are the result of biological controls introduced to control the commonly-named invasive plant purple “loosestrife” (Lythrum salicaria). However purple loosestrife is in a completely different plant family from golden loosestrife and other loosestrifes although, for reasons not clear, it shares the common name of ‘loosestrife’. Leaf- eating beetles which seriously affect growth and seed production by feeding on the leaves and new shoot growth of purple loosestrife plants were released and seem to be doing a pretty good job of controlling this once rampant invasive plant.

Instead - what is eating yellow loosestrifes are the larvae of a (Monostegia abdominalis). This is yet another alien introduced pest first recorded around Ottawa and Montreal in 1965. While it may not be a big issue with the larvae devouring creeping jenny or yellow loosestrife in our gardens because these plants tend to get out of control, they are a danger to some of our native loosestrifes; some are which quite rare.

This link below contains some photos and suggestions how to deal with this pest. Handpicking seems to be the only truly successful control measure which can be a challenge when there are many larvae– like here in the Moraine garden. However, have several natural enemies that can help keep them in check, including beneficial such as predatory beetles, parasitic wasps, and birds. Using broad spectrum insecticides will damage any beneficial insect population but insecticidal soaps and narrow-range oils do have a limited environmental impact. The overwinter in cocoons in the soil so cultivating the soil in the fall exposes cocoons to freezing weather and to both migratory and non-migratory birds that feed on them - although with the interconnected root systems of loosestrifes, this might be hard to do. http://www.heidihorticulture.com/2018/06/creeping-jenny-eaten-by-sawfly-larvae.html

Some cautionary news:

Some may have heard this troubling news, that people in Canada and the United States have been receiving unsolicited packets of seeds in the mail supposedly from Taiwan. No one is quite sure why these various kinds of seeds are being sent randomly, but it is a concern to both Canadian and American governments. If you happen to receive one of these mysterious seed packets, you are advised by the police to call the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) at 519 691-1306 or 1 800 442-2342. More info in the following link (thanks to Andy for the tip): https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/cfia-says-don-t-plant-unsolicited-packages-of-seeds-received-in-mail- 1.5043102

A note from Eva for gardeners to be on the lookout for this new introduced pest from China – the box tree moth – which also attacks some euonymus and ilex plants. If noted in the area, please do report any sightings to Canadian Food Inspection Agency. More info on this new insect pest ca be found in the agency’s website link:

https://www.inspection.gc.ca/plant-health/plant-pests-invasive-species/insects/box-tree-moth/fact- sheet/eng/1552914498593/1552914498889

Marvellous Monarch Milkweed

A few varieties of milkweed - Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed) which monarch caterpillars enjoy, the bright orange flowers of Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) and the ubiquitous Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) (photos by author)

As most know, the endangered monarch butterfly is completely dependent on members of the milkweed family for its survival. Monarch butterflies are host-dependent on milkweeds where the leaves are eaten in order to render the monarch caterpillars and adult butterflies slightly toxic and unpalatable to many predators. Unfortunately the butterflies are mistaking the highly invasive dog-strangling vine as a host plant often laying their eggs on these non-native plants instead. When the larvae emerge, they cannot eat dog-strangling vine and starve. If one happens upon monarch butterfly eggs on dog strangling vine(they are small yellow spherical orbs), snip the leaf and transfer and affix the leaf and eggs to actual milkweed plants (paper clips work well) . Note: dog-strangling vine is producing its seed heads now – each one containing hundreds of seeds with a more than 80% viability. This is a good time to gather seed heads in black garbage bags and let them stew in the sun for about a month before disposing with one’s garbage. Not a good idea to try and compost them.

There are 14 species of milkweed in Canada; 10 which can be found in Ontario: http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/group.php?id=16

Most are familiar with the ‘common’ milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and although its flowers are super-fragrant and attractive, it can quickly become a bit of a ‘nightmare’ in the garden since it will quickly spread by underground runner roots. Unfortunately the seeds of this species of milkweed are often sold by environmental groups to unsuspecting home gardeners to plant as part of campaigns to save the monarch butterfly - but instead turning gardeners off native plants completely.

There are other milkweeds that support monarch butterflies that are not as aggressive as ‘common’ milkweed and can range from quite small and compact 20 cm ( 0.5 feet) to over 180 centimetres (6 feet) and do not spread like wildfire. Flowers range from white and greenish to pale pink, bright orange and deep magenta. Bright orange butterfly weed - there is also a yellow form (Asclepias tuberosa) makes a lovely compact accent to any sunny garden and it tolerates very poor, dry soil conditions. On the other hand, the handsome tall swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnate), with its lovely purple magenta flowers is perfect for wettish or boggy areas – although it will fare not too badly in drier conditions. The whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) with its almost ferny foliage and white flower clusters is a small (about a foot tall – 30 cm) delicate plant in bloom right now in both sun and part shade. The tall 2-6 ft (60-182 cm) Poke milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) is a lovely plant suited for a shady woodland habitat – the only problem here in the Moraine garden , is it usually gets chomped down by monarch caterpillars before it can produce its unusual weeping umbels of white flowers.

Milkweeds all have shared traits with their leaves and stems typically containing a milky sap, thus their common name, Milkweed. Ripe milkweed seed pods vary in size but all species have seeds that are elongated and, once ripe, open with a slit along one side to reveal many brown seeds attached to thin silky white fibres that fluff up to catch the wind and carry their seeds to their new homes.

Aside from being a life-source for monarch butterflies, parts of milkweeds have also been used medicinally for centuries in treating infections, and a variety of other ailments. “Asclepias” originates from the Greek god of medicine Asklepios (Asclepius). Online research indicates milkweed plants have been used externally for treating skin ulcers, eczema, tumors, sores and wounds, leprosy, ringworm, burns, warts as well as throat and ear inflammation, rheumatism, and headaches. Native Americans particularly relied on the roots of whorled milkweed (A. verticillata) root to treat venomous snakebites. However – it should be noted the milky sap which contains latex can be an irritant to the skin.

It should also be noted most species of milkweed have varying levels of toxicity and have been known to harm some livestock, including cattle, goats, horses, fowl, and sheep… and only recently was it removed from the Noxious Weed List in Ontario.

However, some farmers in Quebec are now growing milkweed crops. The automotive industry has been researching the application of the silk of milkweed seed as a sound reduction tool for cars and emergency vehicles. Quartz, a company based in Quebec, is currently producing winter coats with milkweed fibres as insulation against winter cold and the fibres are also water-repellent. Members of the Canadian Coast Guard working on icebreakers recently tested this milkweed fibre in outdoor clothing and came back with positive results. Maybe this natural insulation will catch on elsewhere across the country.

The hollow silky tufts that carry the seeds on the wind “are six times more buoyant than cork and five times as warm as wool”, according to notable American garden expert and writer William Cullina, author of Growing and Propagating Wildflowers of the United States and Canada. This buoyancy led to its use in the Second World War when the Allies’ supply of the usual stuffing for lifejackets was cut off. Schoolchildren were recruited to gather milkweed silk to use as a replacement.

Milkweed silk is also being recognized for its ability to absorb oil but not water, making it an efficient and natural way to respond to oil spills.

Apparently milkweed can be eaten…. but if not careful, can be toxic! http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/food-drink/you-can-eat-this-but-should-you-1/

A Native Wonder – Echinacea

Native Echinacea purpurea - a food source for both birds and bees like the monarch butterfly, a lovely colour burst for this time of year as this tough plant happily grows between cracks in an area of fieldstone pavers, and delicate Echinacea pallida with its drooping petals mixed with other native plants (photos by author)

Purple coneflower, (Echinacea purpurea), is a native plant in Ontario and is the one most often sold in nurseries and garden centres and found in many gardens. Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida) with its delicate dropping pale lilac petals is also a native plant of Ontario but is less commonly found for sale or in gardens. The Ecology Garden in Peterborough does sell these lesser-known lovelies. Narrow Leaf Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia), not found in Ontario, is a widespread native of the prairies. The name Echinacea derives from the Greek echinos (hedgehog) and refers to the fascinating somewhat prickly flower head. The purple coneflower was one of the most important healing plants of Native Americans across North America who used the juice or a mush made from the ground herb or chewed pieces of root to treat wounds, burns, inflammations of the gums, toothache and sore throats, colds, coughs, mumps, measles, insect bites, snake bites and even gonorrhoea. It was used as an antidote for symptoms of poisoning. Settlers also became interested in this plant and apparently the first commercial Echinacea preparation, known as ‘Meyers Blood Purifier’, arrived on the market around 1880, and was touted to treat rheumatism, neuralgia and rattlesnake bites. And as most know, the healing properties of Echinacea are infused in our modern Western culture where new pharmacological and chemical research published on echinacea shows that it is an effective immune stimulant, helping to protect one against colds, flu, and infections of all kinds. It has become the number- one selling herb in the medicinal herb market. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and- dentistry/echinacea The common name for most Echinacea species is 'purple coneflower' which is a bit of a misnomer since not every Echinacea has purple flowers. Echinacea paradoxa has yellow flowers, and the explosion of recent introductions of Echinacea hybrids display a rainbow of colors from white to numerous shades of yellow, red, orange, peach, etc. etc. These perennials all enjoy full sun and are not fussy about soil conditions - but the soil must be well-drained. They will not endure soggy roots. They are drought resistant. They are a host to numerous pollinating insects. However, those fancy hybrid Echinacea with double and triple blooms are useless to pollinators because the extra petals block nectar and pollen. They have few insect and disease problems. They are sometimes attacked by aphids which can be knocked down with a strong spray of water. They can, in areas with poor air circulation, be afflicted with powdery mildew, anthracnose, and aster yellows. Purple coneflower is not a long-lived perennial with a life span about 5 to 10 years. It will, if allowed, readily self-seed. The seed heads are enjoyed by migrating birds and enjoyed in the winter by juncos, finches and chickadees. The seed heads also make quite striking contrast against the winter snow. Most hybrid varieties are sterile and do not produce viable seeds to support seed eating birds. Gardeners have often expressed their disappointment with many of the hybrids that fail to overwinter or only last a couple of years. And some gardeners have also expressed disappointment when their unique cultivars revert to the purple colour of the original native Echinacea . Dominant traits in nature are very strong so plants like the prized ‘White Swan’ coneflower may eventually end up being pink or purple; a white flowering one here in the Moraine garden has turned a very pale lilac with white edging and suspect next year it will have reverted back to purple. Apparently, and not provided to gardeners when buying these sometimes pricey plants who expect these perennials to live a long time in the garden, the new hybrids have a life span of about only three years so perhaps should be enjoyed knowing these hybrids are not long time guests in the garden.