MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Best container shade annuals

Question: Hello, i have dappled light/ shade in my backyard. I usually put out colleus in my 7 pots and they thrive. This year i wanted to put out plants native or otherwise  that might be more supportive to pollinators. Do you have a recommendation? Also, can you tell me what the plant is in the second and third  photo?Thank you

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 14, 2023, 10:06 AM EDT
response: We think that the shrub in your photo looks like a type of   Witchhazel, though can't tell from foliage alone if it is native or not. There aren't many native annuals available for shade. There are multiple choices that are perennial, but perennials don't bloom for very long, usually just a few weeks. Some, like Heuchera (cultivars) can give you some lasting color and others, like ferns, texture. We can't tell how large your pots are but here are some native suggestions you might look into:   Woodland phloxEastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)Coral Bells (Heuchera americana) or Alumroot (Heuchera villosa); note, most of the Heuchera cultivars on the market are hybrids with species not locally nativeWhite Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum)  Blue Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum)Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus, or new name) or Blue Wood Aster (Aster cordifolius, or new name) Some non-native annuals that might attract pollinators:ToreniaImpatiensFuchsiaBegonia- wax, with flowers/color, or Rex, which has interesting and varied leaf markings This page will be interesting to you and has some searchable publications:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/native-plants-shade   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 14, 2023, 10:13 AM EDT
response: Thank you very muchSent from my iPhone On Apr 14, 2023, at 10:06 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 14, 2023, 10:23 AM EDT
response: Very welcome. Any time.
Spider identification

Question: Hey! Found a sketchy spider in our house near Bend. I didn't see it on your list of central Oregon spiders. Looking for help identifying it. I will attach photo. Thank you!

responder: Toni S  Replied April 14, 2023, 8:26 PM EDT
response: Hi Max,  It is really hard to identify spiders from one photo. I can tell you it is not a poisonous spider and is a male. If you can take your spider to the Extension office in Redmond, located on the Fairgrounds to the extreme left as you enter, they can look it more closely for id features. If you really need the ID please  do this. If you only need to know if  it is dangerous it is not unless perhaps someone has an extreme reaction to spider bites.  Spiders are excellent predators and eat many insects. If you don't need any further ID on this guy, you can simply catch him in a jar and release him outside.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 17, 2023, 12:46 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much!! On Fri, Apr 14, 2023 at 5:26 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Insect nest?

Question: I found several of these neat looking things and I haven’t been able to figure out what it is. About 1.5” long

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 19, 2023, 8:39 AM EDT
response: Preying mantis egg case

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 8:44 AM EDT
response: Really!? Awesome, thank you!On Apr 19, 2023 at 8:39 AM, <Ask Extension> wrote:
What is this in my lawn?

Question: This brown twig like weed is startling to take over my lawn.   What is it and how do I get rid of it?   Pulled out some of it for the image attached.

responder: MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied April 12, 2023, 5:35 PM EDT
response: It is not possible to give an accurate assessment with dead twigs.  Sometimes these can be suckers from nearby trees.  Trees such as maples, ashes and willows often send up suckers into lawns. It could also be a vine that is being seeded into the yard from nearby areas.  The attachments do look similar to grape vines.  When they start growing again and turn green with leaves, send another picture for identification.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 12, 2023, 6:05 PM EDT
response: Hi.Yes!  It’s grape vines.  The house has grape vines on the fence surrounding the house.  So the question is how to get rid of them in the lawn and keep them from spreading! Thanks Karen Sent from my iPhone On Apr 12, 2023, at 4:35 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied April 13, 2023, 6:09 PM EDT
response: Good fall cleanup is the key.  It can be difficult to get all the grape seeds because animals will eat the grapes on the ground and poop them out.  This provides excellent fertilizer and growing conditions for the seeds to germinate and invade the lawn.  The vines can be hand pulled. Using herbicides near the grapes can damage your grape vines.  It is not recommended. Repeatedly mowing them will not eliminate them but will prevent them from spreading.
Pest damage to Freeman's Maple

Question: To avoid a repeat of antler rub damage that occurred in the fall of 2021, I put a protective sleeve around my young Freeman's Maple in October 2022. I used a length of 4" diameter corrugated black drain tile, slit up the side. I just got around to removing the sleeve last week, and noticed some strange damage near the base of the tree. Looks like something small chewed several holes through the bark. There is a section of bark that feels like it might be hollow underneath - flexes a bit when I push on it.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 12, 2023, 9:28 PM EDT
response: Any idea what this is, or what (if anything) I need to do about it?

responder: Thank you for your question!  Replied April 13, 2023, 9:07 AM EDT
response: Hello Kevin There are a number of borers, and also a carpenterworm, that can cause damage like this. Did you see any frass near the holes or at the base of the tree? Frass is a sawdust-like chewed wood that the insects push out of the holes. If present, take clear pictures of it as it helps in diagnosis.   Identifying the insect is important because each species has a different life cycle and can have a different effective treatment. What is more concerning is the hollow feel when pressing on the bark; this may indicate a large loss of wood or possibly rot in the trunk. You have a couple ways to get a more precise diagnosis.  Email pictures to MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic lab, along with the history of the tree. Their entomologist may be able to give you more information on which insects are involved. <personal data hidden> Lab website- https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/ Hire a certified arborist to come on site and examine the tree. This is the best way to get a diagnosis and action plan. The certified arborist is a professional who has taken training in care, diseases, pests and passed certification tests. He/she will come on site and give a complete diagnosis and a plant care plan. Find certified arborists by zip code here—- www.treesaregood.org

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 13, 2023, 9:56 AM EDT
response: Ok, thanks! I'll email the Pest ID folks first and then find an arborist if that seems prudent. To answer your question, there is no sign of frass, but it may have disappeared into the wood chip mulch by the time I noticed the damage. And for all I know, the largest hole or even the others may have been made by a woodpecker or other bird getting at something inside there. If so, I hope they were successful. KevinOn Thu, Apr 13, 2023 at 9:07 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Grass replacement after grub outbreak

Question: I live in NE Ohio. Last year my lawn experienced a bad grub problem. This left many patches without grass. The grass did not fill in those bare spots during the fall, and does not appear to be making any progress this spring. See photo attached, which I took today on April 12.

I started a treatment program with bacillus thuringiensis last year, and will repeat an application this year when the grubs are morphing into Japanese beetles.

My question is this: How an when should I attempt to re-seed the bare spots - and will it be effective? Any guidance you can provide is sincerely appreciated.

Thank you,

Jim

responder: Jennifer Andon  Replied April 17, 2023, 4:35 PM EDT
response: Good afternoon, Jim.  My experience with Bt to control grubs is that it takes quite a few years to establish populations or colonies large enough to control grubs to a suitable level.  Microbial control is tricky due to confounding factors such as weather, temperature and other soil microbes.  Just in case you are still seeing grub damage this summer, that could be why.  Here is a factsheet on Japanese Beetles, which may be some of the grubs present in your lawn:  https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-46  In terms of reseeding, I would recommend a turf - type tall fescue.  While grubs mays still feed on within the soil-thatch interphase, tall fescue can typically tolerate more feeding damage than Kentucky Bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.  Reseeding is best done in the fall, but if you can't wait, you can be successful in the spring as well.  You will likely need to water more on hot, dry days.  Here is a factsheet on reseeding:  https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-4031  Best of luck with your lawn this year.  Take care.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 17, 2023, 5:30 PM EDT
response: Hi Jennifer, Thank you for your reply. It is great to get educated by a pro. I will keep working with the Bt, but now understand that it is a difficult process path to success. Also, I'll follow your advice on the turf-type tall fescue.Kind regards,JimOn Mon, Apr 17, 2023 at 4:38 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Jennifer Andon  Replied April 19, 2023, 11:40 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Roughstalk  Bluegrass

Question: I have a home on a 1/4 acre lot in Kent County. I believe we have Roughstalk Bluegrass in our lawn. Our lawn service guy has been out to visit and confirms this. He says he can develop a plan to treat this weed, but it will eventually come back. It occupies about 10-20% of the lawn, but is found throughout the entire lawn..He described this weed as “the stage 4 cancer of lawns and golf courses”. 
Can you provide any guidance, or a plan, on how to eradicate and the long term prognosis? And is there somebody who could come to our house to discuss?

responder: John Emerson Jr.University of DelawareTurfgrass Nutrient Management Extension AgentEmail: jremer@udel.edu Replied April 20, 2023, 3:41 PM EDT
response: Hello, Yes, that looks to be roughstalk bluegrass (Poa trivialis). When I see this type of encroachment, two things are usually the culprit. Poor draining soil and/or excessive soil moisture, usually by irrigation or poorly positioned downspouts. Glyphosate and re-seed or sod is about the only way to remediate, unfortunately. Water management is critical. Make sure that downspout water is diverted properly and any supplemental irrigation is applied only when drought stress symptoms are present. Watering on a set schedule is a poor management practice that contributes to the proliferation of roughstalk bluegrass. If you have any more questions feel free to reach out.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2023, 4:36 PM EDT
response: On thing I forgot to mention, the affected area is mainly confined to where we had work done to the lawn last summer. This included regrading to promote positive drainage away from the house, and piping the downspout water underground, to a popup, that is located further down the slope from the weed area. The area with roughstalk bluegrass is mainly confined to where sod was placed after the regrading and pipe work was completed.  We think the seed originated from the sod. We’ve never had this problem here in 35 years. Sent from my iPhone On Apr 20, 2023, at 3:41 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿
Identification

Question: Hello-

I am hoping someone can identify this for me. There are small piles of these around many of my shrubs and trees. We have alot of squirrels, rabbits, voles, and deer around our home but this does not look like scat from an animal. We have a wild field behind our property. These look like seeds or pods from a plant or tree.They are very dry, almost like a sawdust composition. We do have Ash trees on our property but those seeds seem to be a different color and texture. Thank you for your assistance!

responder: Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied April 12, 2023, 5:40 PM EDT
response: Hello- I am hoping someone can identify this for me. There are small piles of these around many of my shrubs and trees. We have alot of squirrels, rabbits, voles, and deer around our home but this does not look like scat from an animal. We have a wild field behind our property. These look like seeds or pods from a plant or tree.They are very dry, almost like a sawdust composition. We do have Ash trees on our property but those seeds seem to be a different color and texture. Thank you for your assistance! I do not know, so I will post your question to other Extension Master Gardeners. And hopefully someone will know.

responder: Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied April 12, 2023, 5:47 PM EDT
response: Hello- I am hoping someone can identify this for me. There are small piles of these around many of my shrubs and trees. We have alot of squirrels, rabbits, voles, and deer around our home but this does not look like scat from an animal. We have a wild field behind our property. These look like seeds or pods from a plant or tree.They are very dry, almost like a sawdust composition. We do have Ash trees on our property but those seeds seem to be a different color and texture. Thank you for your assistance! Check this web site and scroll down to rabbits. It looks about the same to me. And I am waiting for other responses from Extension Master Gardeners. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/how-identify/identify-poo#:~:text=Rabbits%20and%20hares,little%2C%20round%2C%20hard%20balls

responder: Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied April 13, 2023, 9:50 AM EDT
response: Hello- I am hoping someone can identify this for me. There are small piles of these around many of my shrubs and trees. We have alot of squirrels, rabbits, voles, and deer around our home but this does not look like scat from an animal. We have a wild field behind our property. These look like seeds or pods from a plant or tree.They are very dry, almost like a sawdust composition. We do have Ash trees on our property but those seeds seem to be a different color and texture. Thank you for your assistance! Final consensus is that it is from rabbits.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 13, 2023, 10:02 AM EDT
response: Thank you!   Sent from my iPhone  On Apr 13, 2023, at 8:50 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:    ﻿
Linden Tree hollow trunk

Question: I have a 50 year old Linden tree that appears healthy except for having a hollow trunk, which the previous filled with concrete. 

I’m concerned that it may blow over on my house or my neighbor’s house.  It is a beautiful tree that provides shade so I am reluctant to cut it down. 

I’ve attached a couple of photos. 

I know there is always a chance that a tree will blow over, but do you think there is a much greater chance that this one will fall?

Thanks!

responder: Deb Kroon  Replied April 12, 2023, 12:11 PM EDT
response: Good morning Kent.  Thank you for reaching out to ask2.extension.   I have to admit (with horror) I have never heard of anyone filling a tree trunk with cement.  How long have you lived there with the tree? Doing some research, I read that a hollow tree can live quite a long time with a hollow trunk.  A hollow tree can definitely go down during a strong storm.  It depends on how far up the trunk the hollowness goes. The advice was to call a certified arborist, especially with the cement in the tree.  I’m sorry I can’t give you a definite answer.  I basically don’t know.  I’d talk to an arborist.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 12, 2023, 12:58 PM EDT
response: Hi Deb,Thanks for the response. We have lived there about 15 years. KentSent from my iPhone On Apr 12, 2023, at 11:12 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿
Please ID this plant

Question: Fairly prostrate; found it growing last summer in our Bookworm garden at the library. It didn't have flowers. Thanks!

responder: Tom OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer  Replied April 12, 2023, 11:08 AM EDT
response: Carol,  This appears to be a weed in the knotweed/smartweed family - genus Polygonum.  If you can send additional photos of it growing in place, I will try to narrow it down.  If not, here are some possible species:  https://turf.purdue.edu/prostrate-knotweed/  https://www.missouriplants.com/Polygonum_erectum_page.html  https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/polygonum/achoreum/  Please let me know if you have additional questions.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 13, 2023, 8:19 AM EDT
response: Thanks – I’ll take “door number one” - I mostly was just curious from a standpoint of “know thine enemy” – and fortunately, there were only a few growing in a small concave area (therefore holding water longer after a rain) of compacted soil. That fits the profile perfectly.Carol Sent from Mail for Windows From: Ask ExtensionSent: Wednesday, April 12, 2023 11:08 AMTo: botanygal47Subject: Re: Please ID this plant (#0095212)
Transplanting a camellia

Question: Hi there! I love this service / thank you so much for being here! I have the attached camellia that somehow was planted there when we bought the house. It doesn’t seem toooooo old but it definitely is established.

I know you can’t know for sure, but would it be possible to transplant this? Would you guess the likelihood of survival to be like 50/50? Better? Worse?

The camellia is about 9 feet tall if I had to guess. I’m in zone 8b 
Thanks!!!

responder: Jacki D., Master Gardener Diagnostician Volunteer (Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties) Oregon State University Extension Service Volunteer Metro Master Gardeners (http://metromastergardeners.org/) Replied April 13, 2023, 12:38 AM EDT
response: You can probably transplant your tree successfully. Dig the main rootball and slide it to your new spot. Water it the first few summers, at least. Your plant is narrow and may need re-shaping to keep it from tipping over. More how-to details are available here. Consider, instead, buying another Camellia. A new one can establish in the landscape quickly and the time growing can off-set the years a transplanted larger shrub struggles to re-establish. In a few years you can have the same size plant without the effort and uncertainty of transplanting the big one. Whichever you choose, an important step in planting and transplanting shrubs and trees is to locate the root flare and set it appropriately in relation to the soil level. This slide show is long, but the photos really show what I'm talking about. Best wishes with your garden.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 13, 2023, 10:13 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much!!!On Wed, Apr 12, 2023 at 9:38 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Unusual lawn markings

Question: As the snow has melted I noticed a couple of days ago this unusual marking in my lawn under a tree and extending into the lawn that appeared and each day since more have appeared. I thought when I first saw the marking it looked like someone had drug a branch across the ground. It is varies in depth but is generally 1/2  - 3/4 inch deep…any idea what this may be and if we need to be treating it to prevent further spread.

responder: Amanda Bachmann, PhDPesticide Education and Urban Entomology Field Specialist Replied April 11, 2023, 9:20 PM EDT
response: My first thought is vole tunnels.  This resource from UMN is really excellent - https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/vole-damage Repairing the damage can start in a few weeks by reseeding the damaged area. UMN has some tips in the vole article. I am not a turf expert, so if you would like more details on that part, please submit a separate question.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 11, 2023, 10:56 PM EDT
response: Amanda, Thank you so much for the rapid response and link…the picture in the link matches what we have in our yard. Now we know what we are dealing with and how to remedy the situation. Thanks again!! Christy On Tue, Apr 11, 2023 at 8:20 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: