Q: On the south edge of Moorhead near the Village Green Golf Course is a beautiful shrub of some kind with very huge white flowers. It's not a hydrangea. I inquired of the homeowner, but they weren't sure of its identity. It's outstandingly beautiful and apparently hardy, as it's about 5 feet high and wide. I would love to get one but have no idea what it is.-Jeanne Swick, Moorhead
A: The beautiful white flowering plant whose photo you sent is called giant fleece flower (Persicaria polymorpha). It looks and acts like a shrub, but it's a perennial flower, dying to the ground each fall and growing back from the base each spring. It grows rapidly each spring to almost 5 feet tall. It's very hardy and deserves increased planting.
The white flower clusters begin blooming in mid-June and continue until mid August. It can be divided as it increases in clump diameter. I purchased ours at Sheyenne Gardens, in Harwood, N.D., several years ago. Perfect where a tall, long-blooming and carefree perennial is desired.
Q: I read with interest your answer about the little black picnic or sap beetles in raspberry fruits. This year I have a different problem. The berries have very small white, almost transparent "worms." I've discarded almost all of the July berries. I've had this patch for over 30 years without insect problems. Are other gardeners in the area having this problem?-Barbara Myhre, Abercrombie, N.D.
A: The little white worms you describe are the larvae of the spotted wing drosophila fruit fly (SWD for short), which is a relatively new insect, arriving in the area about 2012. This is a bad one. It's become a major pest, widely reported in the region. Unlike the black sap beetles, this isn't a problem only of fruit that's become a little too ripe.
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Adult flies are about ⅛-inch long, brownish, and males have black wing spots. Eggs are laid on developing fruits including raspberries, strawberries and cherries. The eggs hatch into small, whitish wormlike larvae about ⅛-inch long. Infestations often result in larvae in every individual fruit, found when picking.
Insecticidal sprays targeting adults are the best option. Once eggs are laid, the resulting larvae are untouchable inside the fruit. Spraying must begin as fruits start to ripen and continue until fruit-bearing season is over. Products must be rotated to avoid flies developing resistance. Effective are carbaryl (Sevin), malathion, spinosad and permethrin.
North Dakota State University has published a bulletin called Integrated Pest Management of Spotted Wing Drosophila in North Dakota that provides in-depth details and spray information. It's easily searched and downloaded, or requested from county Extension offices.
Q: I'd like to let you know about a new project we've begun called Ostlie's Sunnyside Acres and our upcoming Hops Field Day.-Lindsay Ostlie, Carrington, N.D.
A: Hops is an interesting crop, and here's our chance to learn more.
Lindsay tell us, "My husband and I have a small farm near Carrington where we are growing berries, hops and garlic. We're renovating an old granary with a restroom, store and food-processing area so we can do tours, host events and pellet the hops.
"One of the first events is a Hops Field Day Aug. 15 starting at 3 p.m. More information about the event can be found at tinyurl.com/hopsfieldday. In addition to tours, NDSU's Kyla Splichal will speak about her hops research and growing hops in our region for hobbyists and home brewers."
Q: I've been wondering if the seed pods that form after the blossoms die on daylilies should be removed. Do they harm the plants?-Roberta Shreve, Fargo
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A: Yes, the seed pods that begin to form should be removed as soon as the blossoms wither. If allowed to remain, they can sap strength from the rest of the plant because it takes energy to form seeds. If left on, the plants won't die, but most perennial flowers do better with developing seed pods removed, and the plants look neater. You've probably heard the term "deadheading," which refers to removing "spent," withered blossoms.
If you have a gardening or lawn care question, email Don Kinzler at ForumGrowingTogether@hotmail.com . All questions will be answered, and those with broad appeal may be published, so please include your name, city and state for appropriate advice.
