Scale on Ginkgo, Keeping Peacocks Away from Seedbeds, Bright Red Japanese Wax Plant, Blooming Paperwhites, Dueling Plant Guys

Scale on Ginkgo Leaves

A landscape designer and consultant brought this one in; it's Ginkgo biloba leaves coated with scale. Any other time of year this would be met by an immediate call to Gevork Arkelian over at the Agriculture Commissioner's office but not now -Ginkgo is a deciduous tree and, like all other deciduous tree, is losing its leaves. Right before the leaves drop they're susceptible to all kinds of infestations, most of which are not a concern because soon they will be gasping their last as the leaf they are attached to falls to the ground and rots away. 

Possible Red scale on Ginkgo leaves. 

'Wildflowering' Display is Planted

The artist collaboration 'Wildflowering L.A.' consists of several sights around the city devoted to planted displays California native wildflowers.  Our contribution has been planted and if you go there you will notice our Peacock avoidance strategy -ribbons of bright reflective mylar tied to posts. This seems to be working pretty good for keeping peacocks away. The Canada geese are another story; they're kept at bay with a stylized coyote sculpture that is moved at least once a day. 

Wildflowering L.A. Display

Brilliant Color Change on Japanese Wax Tree 

The Japanese wax tree (Toxicodendron succedanea) is an unassuming small tree located in the Asian, North American section. It really shines in the fall when its leaves turn the most brilliant red of any tree in the Arboretum. Be carefull however, if the genus name of this plant sounds familiar it is; Toxicodendron is the genus name for poison oak and ivy, and yes, if you touch these beautiful leaves the next red thing you will be the itching, oozing rash where you were exposed to it. 

Japanese wax tree. 

Paperwhites in the Meadowbrook section. 

Garden Show Host Nick Federoff Taping Segments Here at the Arboretum

I was honored to meet PBS garden show host Nick Federoff when he was filming for his show here at the Arboretum. Nick's been a perennial garden show host starting back in 1988 when he started his now nationwide syndicated live question and answer show.

I show Nick Federoff what would happen if he ever strays on my turf again.