Hummingbird Clearwing Moth: Hemaris thysbe

I was filling my bird bath, when buzzing caught my attention.  My little garden attracts a lot of insects and birds, but this one is a first.

I grabbed my cell-phone quickly and snapped some shots:

I wish I had my other camera, but these are the best I could do.

I have always wanted to see a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth. About the size of my thumb, they are incredibly beautiful. The noise they make with their wings is quite similar to hummingbirds.

Take a look here to see the varying colourations of this amazing moth.  This fella was feeding off every flower of my Amsonia 'Blue Ice' and the flowers on my Lamium.

Note to self: keep a camera by the garden, ALWAYS!

Through the Garden Gate, Where The Hostas Grow!

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE Hostas. Er, um - Hostas placed just right, that is. I really don't have a passion for the rare, the newly introduced, but the well utilized and well situated ones.

This post demonstrates all that.

These are ALL hostas and from afar, one would think you have varying different kinds of perennials achieving this look. Placed in dappled shade, under a canopy of a Norway (Acer platanoides) Maple, these hostas are in the right spot. Slightly elevated to show their mounding form. Not overcrowded and not too close. Nicely mulched with shredded cedar bark to help lock in moisture and well weeded to keep them flourishing. They are so well situated and happy. Don't they look great?!

I'm so blessed to photograph and enjoy them that I had to share. I had an amazing privilege to help co-host a Through The Garden Gate Tour 2016 at a most lovely home in The Kingsway area (Etobicoke) this past Sunday. The best treat - it was hosted by my wonderful friend and home owner, Elizabeth (Beth) Endean.

I have seen this garden come alive right from the onset of the original planting and know the hard work it took to accomplish this result. I am so proud of what Beth and her two helpers have achieved.

One of Beth's gifts, is her eye for colour. She amazes me in all her accomplishments. Especially her love for the colour GREEN. Her use of lime green Hostas like "Paul's Gold" and "Guacamole" really brighten more shaded spots in her garden.  With the more white variegated varieties like "Fire and Ice" Hosta, she grouped them in areas closest to the walkway. They certainly pack a punch and really draw your eye to stop and have a closer look. Her 'green' thumb shows up in all areas of plant selection and placement.

Who needs any other perennial when you create a colour palette like this?

Even great back drops like Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus' and Vinca minor Periwinkle show them off even more.

I am truly blessed and thankful to have been able to take part and see all the wonderful people enjoy Beth's lovely garden. So many onlookers commented on the choices, placement and variety of what was displayed.

You go-grow, Girl! Great job!

Here's a video of the TBG tour and more info regarding Beth's delightful garden!

Cnaemidophorus rhododactyla Larvae Eating Rose Buds

As soon as I walked by this rose, I noticed webbing and some caterpillar frass (poop) nearest the tips of new buds. Uh-oh...

It took me a while to ID this critter, as there is so much misinformation out there.

But the evidence of what I am dealing with, is in the classification of the insect's shape, form and colouration.

It looks as though we have a Cnaemidophorus rhododactyla larvae (Rose Plume Moth) feeding on these Rosa glauca flower buds.

I've seen posts naming this same larvae as Rose Budworm, Leaf-roller, Sawfly and Rose Chaffer larvae.

Something was amiss. The shape and colouration of the larvae didn't match the information I looked through. Thankfully, the tapered - semi dotted red stripe behind the head was a true help in trying to ID it.

It's a alien Moth, originating from Europe. This saddens me, as I hate to see non-native insects devouring my plants. For now, the control I am using is hand removal. I collected about 7 off this rose bush alone. They fed on nearly 20 blooms already, starting from the base of the bush. They make huge puncture holes in the rose buds and eat the entire contents, leaving only the sepal leaves (rose bud outer casing leaves).

One positive outcome: I tossed the larvae on the patio near by and a lovely Robin came and had an easy meal. Yum!

I love Rosa glauca for it's simple, open faced flowers that pollinators adore. I am really vigilant in trying to remove the larvae as much as possible. We had such a prolonged cold spring, and now to see potential blooms withering from damage, is rather disheartening.

Just note: It is important to get specific info in dealing with larvae, especially if you want use biological controls like BTK sprays.

Caterpillars can fall under several classifications based upon leg appendages, segments of their abdomens and for some, prolegs. So because sawflies, beetles and fly larvas are different, they will not be affected by BTK controls.

Use this great site to help you pin-point and ID what you are dealing with before you choose a spray control or removal.    ---->   Bug Guide Website  Don't forget, there are many beneficial insects that are a gardener's best friend.

Click on this link for more info and photos of the Cnaemidphorus rhododactyla larvae and moth.

Anisogramma anomala - Eastern Filbert Blight on Corylus

Having this Corylus avellana contorta 'Red Majestic' now for several years, I thought we were in the clear of it ever developing Eastern Filbert Blight.

As the leaves unfurl, I always take a good look to be sure. I examine the stems thoroughly. Leaves should be slightly crinkly and the stems should be grey with lighter lenticels.

This spring two branches are showing signs of disease. It's easy to detect. Lack of leaves, dry and flaking bark tissue and the loss of the smooth grey bark are tell-tale signs the plant has Eastern Filbert Blight.

The pathogen, Anisogramma anomala has invaded lenticels on some of the bottom stems, as shown here. I cut them off and brought them to a less distracted background for ID.

The pathogen splashes on to leaves and young stems, in this case enveloping the lenticels (stem breathing pores) and causing cankers. These cankers can appear 12-16 months after the initial infection. The cankers swell and expand, splitting the bark tissue, causing die-back and eventual stem decay.

The lenticels will darken with the bacterium and will become quite woody - hard.

I remember having a colleague tell me these were Scale Insects. From afar, they may look that way, but with this close up, you can see it's a canker for sure!

TREATEMENT:  Cut back infected branches or to healthy growth with no evidence of cankers; to the main stem during dry conditions. Destroy or put in garbage. DO NOT COMPOST THESE INFECTED STEMS. Disinfect pruning tools after each cut. Prevent over-head irrigation/watering, especially any splashing throughout the spring/summer. Keep your eye on the plant throughout the summer months and prune away any stems where lenticels are becoming distorted.

With our situation, we are going to have a tough go - with the pond so close. Fingers crossed.

It's a common disease within Nursery Greenhouse Growing conditions. Can wipe out an entire plant if it's not nipped in the 'bud'.

Hint: One of the things I look out for when purchasing any Filbert (Corylus sp.) plant at the Garden Centre/Nursery. If you see these cankers, if so - look elsewhere. It's too bad this one now has it.