Gardening Help Search

Plant Samples

Due to the threat of Boxwood Blight, Rose Rosette and other serious pest/disease issues, the Garden is no longer allowing plant samples to be brought in for identification or diagnosis. These problems can spread to the garden displays and severely impact our living plant collection.

Please help us protect our plants by taking clear photos of the plant you need identified or diagnosed. Images can be emailed to plantinformation@mobot.org or brought to the Plant Doctors at the Center for Home Gardening (Open every day, 9 am - 5 pm).  

For any additional questions regarding samples, please call: 314-577-9562.

Lawn Problems

  


In July and August, the Center for Home Gardening receives many questions from home owners regarding lawn problems. Heat and drought stress are two of the most common reasons cool-season lawns (and sometimes zoysia) turn brown in the summer. Additionally, hot, humid conditions are the perfect environment for Rhizoctonia solani to thrive, a fungus that causes brown patch and large brown patch in cool-season and zoysia lawns, respectively. Click the links below to learn more about common lawn problems and how to manage them:  

Cool-Season Grasses

Lawn Problems: Cool-Season Grasses

Brown Patch of Cool-Season Lawns

Zoysia Grass

Lawn Problems: Zoysia Grass

Lawn Care

Lawn Maintenance (PDF)

Lawns: Planting and Renovation (PDF)

Seasonal Gardening Tips
  • Deadhead annuals and perennials as needed.
     
  • Fall webworms begin nest building near the ends of branches of infested trees. Prune off webs. Spray with Bt if defoliation becomes severe. 
     
  • Powdery mildew on lilacs is unsightly, but causes no harm and rarely warrants control, though common rose fungicides will prove effective.
     
  • Divide bearded irs now. Discard old center sections and borer damaged parts. Replant so tops of rhizomes are just above ground level. 
     
  • Evergreens can be planted or transplanted now to ensure good rooting before winter arrives. Water both the plant and the planting site several days before moving. 
     
  • Dormant lawns should be soaked now to encourage strong fall growth. 
     
  • Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower transplants should be set out now for the fall garden. Sow seeds of beans, beets, spinach and turnips now for the fall. Spinach may germinate better if seeds are refrigerated for one week before planting. 
     
  • Thornless blackberries and fall-bearing raspberries are ripening now. 
     
  • Soak shrubs periodically during dry spells with enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches.
     
  • Hummingbirds are migrating through gardens now. 


 Learn more

Enjoy the fragrant blooms of the Ozark Witch Hazel flowering in shrub borders or wooded areas on warm sunny days.
Enjoy the fragrant blooms of the Ozark Witch Hazel flowering in shrub borders or wooded areas on warm sunny days.
Repot any root-bound house plants now before vigorous growth occurs. Choose a new container that is only 1 or 2 inches larger in diameter than the old pot.
Repot any root-bound house plants now before vigorous growth occurs. Choose a new container that is only 1 or 2 inches larger in diameter than the old pot.
Bloom Time Calendar

See when plants bloom at the Garden:

Blog & Latest News

2019 Plants of Merit

Plants of Merit are chosen by Garden horticulturists for their outstanding quality and dependable performance in the Midwest. 

Plants of Demerit

Plants of demerit are those that are invasive, hard to control or have other undesirable characteristics.

Follow our Gardening blog with timely gardening tips, insights, and updates. 


Learn more

Gardening Help

We have staff available to help you with your gardening questions:

  • Plant Doctors: Master Gardeners and Garden staff can answer your questions in person

    Center for Home Gardening
    Every day, 9 am - 5 pm

     
  • Horticulture Answer Service: Have your gardening questions answered over the phone

    Mon.-Fri., 9 am to 12 pm
    (314) 577-5143
     
  • Plant Information: Email your gardening questions to: 

    plantinformation@mobot.org

    We are currently experiencing a high volume of emails, 
    therefore response time may be delayed. We thank you for your patience and apologize for the inconvenience.