Pests And Weeds

Mistletoe is a familiar sight of the season, often found wrapped in ribbon and hung for certain festivities this time of year. But did you know it is actually a parasitic plant that grows on a number of landscape trees in California? There are two types of mistletoe in California.

Weeds in the landscape can be tough to manage. But there are many options for weed management using an integrated approach that combines nonchemical and chemical methods. Start by identifying the weeds you want to manage.

UC ANR's charge is research and extension and we provide guidance about how to manage weeds using registered pesticides and by non-chemical methods.

Many gardeners and landscapers enjoy growing and caring for roses. Through careful selection of varieties and appropriate cultivation, roses can be grown with a minimum of pest problems.

[Originally published as "Managing Weeds in Landscapes" published in the Fall 2018 issue of the Retail Nursery and Garden Center IPM News.] Nurseries and garden centers often sell a wide range of plants for use in gardens and landscapes.

I recently attended a Santa Ana River Orange County Weed Management Area (SAROCWMA) meeting and there was an opportunity for participants to update the group about new invasive plants as well as give an update on management of these and others.

Before hiking, backpacking, or camping, people are warned to avoid poison oak.

[From the Spring issue of the UC IPM Retail Nursery & Garden Center News] I hate crabgrass! is a common lament I've heard from residents during my 35 years as a UCCE Weed Science Farm Advisor.

When people think of parasites, often what comes to mind are blood-sucking insects like bed bugs, head lice, and fleas or other bodily invaders on or in humans and other animals. But plants can have parasites too.

People in urban and suburban areas often use the term invasive to describe plants or weeds that appear to take over a garden or landscape. However, true invasive plants are weeds that infest ecosystems, rangelands, and pastureplaces common garden weeds don't thrive.