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Gophers are really bad guys
The bane of many gardeners, especially rose-growing ones, is the gopher. While this voracious pest loves roses, they’re not fussy – in fact, there isn’t a lot they DON’T like! The pocket gopher is named for the external, fur-lined check pouches the critters use to carry food to their storage…
Good Multi-colored Roses for Marin – Betty Boop
‘Betty Boop’ was hybridized by Tom Carruth from a cross of the red blend floribunda, ‘Playboy’ and the pink blend floribunda, ‘Picasso’, and was introduced by Weeks Wholesale Roses in 1999. It is classified by the American Rose Society as a red blend floribunda with 6-12 petals and a very…
Who are the Natural Enemies?
Predators, parasites, and pathogens (disease producing organisms) are the primary groups used in the biological control of insects and mites along with many species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. Insects that are natural enemies of pests are also referred to as beneficial insects or beneficials. The most common type…
Good Russet Roses for Marin – Cinco de Mayo
Russet-colored roses are definitely unique and pretty rare. ‘Cinco de Mayo’ sports large double blooms of an indescribable blending of smoked lavender and rusty red orange. As a seedling of the ever popular, butter yellow floribunda ‘Julia Child,’ it puts a whole new spin on ‘flower power’. The super-clean glossy-green…
Those Aren’t Green Ladybugs
Don’t be fooled! This is NOT a green ladybug! The cucumber beetle is a common pest that feeds on the vegetable gardens and may also attack ripening stone fruit, although it’s not fussy and can be found in many parts of the yard, even on roses. These beetles may spread…