Champaign County Master Gardener and Horticulture Program

10/13/2026

Lilacs blooming now? Probably from stress.

During this first week of October, many of the plants blooming in our landscape are mums, asters, goldenrods, sedums, and ornamental grasses. But what if your lilac

10/12/2026

Little bluestem grass (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a beautiful, ornamental grass that displays bluish leaves and stems in the growing season, then has a coppery, burgundy color in the fall. These smallish clumps are better behaved in a home garden than the grass called Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), which is larger and tends to flop open. Little bluestem is native to eastern North America and is a larval host for some butterflies and moths. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet and an equal width. It can withstand drought and can grow in a wide variety of soil types. It was selected as the 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association (https://perennialplant.org/page/2022PPOY). There is a large specimen in the south border area of the Idea Garden in Urbana.

Check out these websites to learn more about this low-maintenance perennial grass:

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/schizachyrium-scoparium/

https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/grasses-glance/2024-10-28-little-bluestem-showstopper-fall

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/little-bluestem/

10/07/2026

If you are looking for a large plant to add some fall color to your garden, consider the American Beautyberry. This 4-6’ tall shrub has pale green foliage which emerges in the spring, followed by small lavender pink flowers in June. But it is in autumn when this shrub really shines as the flowers mature into clusters of luminous purple berry-like fruits, which contrast nicely with the green foliage.

Beautyberry can be grown in sun or shade, although its fruits do best in full sun. It prefers well-drained soil, but will tolerate any soil from clay to sand and is drought-tolerant. The native species Callicarpa americana is native to the southern states, but also does well in Illinois. It may die back during a harsh winter, but the berries grow on new wood so they will not be affected in the next season. It can be cut back to about six inches in late winter or early spring. For more on this attractive shrub check out this article from the U of I Extension: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/garden-scoop/2025-10-20-beautyberry-flashy-fall-performer-purple-pop

Beyond its eye-catching color in the fall, Callicarpa americana offers an important benefit for wildlife. The berries are a food source for more than forty species of birds, and small mammals also enjoy the fruit. The blossoms attract several pollinators, and it also serves a host for some butterflies.

In addition to the native variety, there are several non-native species with different cultivars of these available at garden centers. Keep in mind, though, that the non-native species do not provide the same ecological value as the native, and a few of these are even considered potentially invasive in some areas. You can find a full description of these different species in this article: https://www.piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/callicarpa-beautyberry/ or here: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/american-beautyberry

If you would like to see this shrub at its peak, now is the perfect time to visit the Idea Garden on South Lincoln Avenue—you will find a beautyberry in the South Border.

10/05/2026

The availability of nectar-rich plants starts waning in the fall. A good garden that supports pollinators should strive to have something blooming throughout the growing season, so finding late fall bloomers is important…and one with blue flowers is a bonus!

Caryopteris, called Bluebeard or blue mist, is a phenomenal nectar host. It blooms heavily from late summer through autumn, providing a critical late-season food source for bees, hummingbirds, and mature butterflies (like skippers) right when other nectar options begin to disappear. It is a small shrub and usually stays under 3 feet tall and takes minimal trimming and very little water. In our zone it may die back over the winter, so cutting a bit of the twiggy wood off the top before spring growth begins is all you need to do because it flowers on new growth. It is relatively disease and pest free. The biggest problem it has is root rot, so it needs well drained soil. This shrub does require full sun and is fairly drought tolerant, making it a good addition to your landscape. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/plantdetail.cfm?PlantID=330&PlantTypeID=8; https://plantfinder.mobot.org/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=244666&isprofile=0&pt=4

Unfortunately, Bluebeard is non-native, but it still attracts a myriad of pollinators. If planted among host plants, it may attract even more. Late season visitors may include skippers, bees, digger wasps, and various flies. https://dyckarboretum.org/beautiful-bluebeard/ There are a variety of cultivars available. If you want to see a Caryopteris in bloom, visit the north border at the Idea Garden in Urbana in the next few weeks and check out “Sapphire Surf”. It will be the shrub with blue flowers and loads of bumble bees! Photos are from the Idea Garden.

09/30/2026

Homeowners get rightfully concerned when they start seeing leaves on trees and shrubs start yellowing in the summer. First thought is not enough water, or if a shade-loving plant, too much sun. To really diagnose this, and almost any problem that shows up on leaves, you need to look at the entire plant, and the entire leaf, top and bottom. If you look carefully, you might discover the culprit, though you need good eyesight (or closeup photo with your phone). Chances are you might find a group of lace bugs. Evidence of their presence is a stippling on the leaves, and on the underside, signs of insects, nymphs, and frass. Lace bugs affect both deciduous trees and shrubs and can be specific to certain plants. Most commonly found around Illinois are the azalea lace bug that also affects rhododendrons, hawthorn lace bugs that can attack serviceberries, and both oak and sycamore lace bugs. The Ohio State University has excellent illustrations of lace bugs on various types of leaves. https://bygl.osu.edu/node/790

Lace bugs are about 1/8 to 1/3 of an inch long. They have dark markings on light-colored bodies and their wings lay flat. It is the pattern on the wings that gives this insect its name. Lace bugs may overwinter as eggs or adults, depending on the species. It is best to start scouting for them in early spring and keep an eye on susceptible plants. Lace bugs start feeding in early summer, though damage is usually not noticed until late summer. Both adults and nymphs use their piercing/sucking mouth parts to suck juices from the underside of leaves. This results in small yellowish or whitish spots on the top of the leaf called “stippling.” Lace bugs produce frass, black f***l matter that can indicate heavily infested leaves. If the population is high enough, extensive damage can cause early leaf drop. Lace bugs prefer trees or shrubs in a sunny area with little plant diversity around, which would otherwise attract natural predators including green lace wings, assassin bugs, and lady beetles. These predators feed on the eggs which helps keep the population down. Adding flowering plants around your tree or shrub can be an easy solution to the problem. Populations and damage can vary from year to year. Since lace bugs usually do not affect the health of the plant, you can sometimes just ignore them. If heavy infestation occurs, before using pesticides, try blasting the underside of the leaves with a hose. See the University of Minnesota’s link for more information on dealing with lace bugs. https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/yard-and-garden-insects/lace-bugs

Finally, for more information on lace bugs, check out the Purdue Plant doctor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orVgFJcHPew

09/28/2026

It is important to keep up on invasive species to prevent their further spread, and this is a good time to start watching out for Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Tree of Heaven is a native of China. In 1784 it was introduced as an ornamental tree to urban areas of Philadelphia because of its ability to grow in poor soil. Because of ease of growth and the shade-providing canopy, it became a commonly planted tree in urban areas. Tree of Heaven is a fast grower (up to 6 feet the first year), reaching heights up to 80 feet, and 6 feet in diameter. ToH adapts to almost any soil conditions and is most often found in disturbed areas. It was the tree featured in “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2023-10-13-tree-grows-everywhere-tree-heaven

Tree of Heaven leaves have a central stem and are pinnately compound, meaning there are leaflets on each side. One leaf can have anywhere from ten to 40 lance-shaped leaflets with smooth margins, and range in length 1-4 feet long! ToH is dioecious, meaning there are both male and female trees. In spring the female produces clusters of yellow-green flowers that produce “samaras,” winged seeds that hang in large clusters, often through winter. Female trees are prolific seeders and can produce up to 300,000 seeds in a year. Sprouts as young as 2 years can produce seeds. The tree can often be confused with Sumac, Hickory or Black Walnut because of the leaves, so to differentiate, on the base of the ToH leaflet, there are glandular teeth, one or two bumps. The easiest way to surely identify ToH is that when the leaves or stems are crushed they give off a strong, nasty odor, like rancid peanut butter. For pictures, visit Penn State, https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven

It is not just that this tree is a weedy, fast-growing tree and a prolific seeder, it is also allelopathic, meaning it releases compounds into the soil that can slow or prevent other plants from growing around it, thus giving it free rein to grow with little chance of getting crowded out. Mature trees send out aggressive root suckers that may spread as far as 50 feet, creating colonies. Cut or damaged trees may send out sprouts as well. Because of this, Tree of Heaven must be carefully dealt with. Small sprouts can be pulled, making sure you get the whole root system, otherwise it can send up new shoots. For larger trees or infestations, visit Ohio State University https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/f-65 for methods and herbicides, and again Penn State has excellent information including a calendar of timing and list of appropriate methods. https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven

Finally, not only is Tree of Heaven invasive, it is the host plant for the invasive spotted lanternfly. The lanternfly was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has now been found in 19 states and the District of Columbia. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/slf. In Illinois it has only been reported in Cook County to date. For information on Tree of Heaven and the effects of spotted lanternfly, visit Michigan State: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/a-tale-of-two-invaders-tree-of-heaven-and-spotted-lanternfly. So there are at least two reasons to get rid of any Tree of Heaven, and now is a good time to look for identifying seed clusters and an ideal time to start control.

09/23/2026

This time of year conversations among gardeners often touch on how tired we are of gardening. (Gasp!) It may also be true that our gardens are tired—excess heat, humidity or drought can weaken plants, making them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. If you can’t determine the cause of a problem, you can check in with the Purdue Plant Doctor to help diagnose problems. While you can’t actually call the doctor, you can consult a website: https://purdueplantdoctor.com/ from Purdue University Extension. (Bookmark it.) Using a database of diseases and pests that have afflicted plants in Indiana and submitted to a diagnostic laboratory at Purdue, the website can help anyone identify “what’s wrong with my plant.” For instance, a peony bush in my yard had what looked like a gray film on the leaves. I looked up peony, then chose foliage as the location of the problem. The first photo in an array of photos that document various problems is of powdery mildew—it looks just like my plant! Clicking on that photo took me to a page with information on that disease, treatment recommendations and effective pesticides that could be used (always read and follow label directions). Bingo! Thanks, Doc!

In addition, in Illinois, you CAN consult directly with the plant doctors! Connect with the Plant Clinic, part of : https://extension.illinois.edu/plant-clinic. Obtain a sample of the plant—as big as you can, and submit it to the plant clinic. Good information to collect includes: What is making the plant look unusual? Is more than one plant affected? Is the problem only on the flowers, only on the leaves, etc.? Use a magnifying glass to help see even closer. Outside of Illinois, the website at https://www.npdn.org/lab_directory can help you find a plant diagnostic lab in your state.

Yes, there are times when even your plants have to go to the doctor!

09/22/2026

🌳 Help us get Sibley Burr Oak Grove ready for a new picnic area!

Join the East Central Illinois Master Naturalists for the Sibley Burr Oak Grove Fall Workday on Saturday, October 10, from 9 a.m. to noon at Sibley Burr Oak Grove Nature Preserve.

Volunteers will help clear the new picnic area in preparation for a picnic table being provided by the Scouts. It’s a great opportunity to lend a hand, enjoy the outdoors, and help improve this special local nature preserve. 🌿

📍 Check-in: 8:30–9 a.m.
📍 Workday: 9 a.m.–noon
📍 Parking: NW corner of the grove on E 1250 N Rd.

Register now at go.illinois.edu/SBOG
Please wear long pants, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.

09/21/2026

Coleus, Coleus scutellarioides, is a versatile plant grown for its colorful foliage. Coleus provide color throughout the garden until the first frost. Formerly limited to shady areas, new cultivars of coleus now can grow in sun. Hybridization has brought a wide variety of colors to the foliage and unexpected combinations of colors as well. Height can range from 6 inches to 3 feet. There’s probably a coleus to fit every spot in a garden. They can even be grown as houseplants. As always, pay attention to the id tags in most pots at the nursery to find out which type you are considering.

Care is minimal: even moisture and well-drained soil are necessary. Very few diseases bother coleus plants. Pinch back plant stems when first planted to encourage compact, bushy growth. Some gardeners pinch back the blossoms that emerge in late summer to keep the energy going to the foliage. has a brief information sheet at https://extension.illinois.edu/flowers/coleus. See more from Clemson University Extension and Chicago Botanic Garden: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/coleus/ and https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/coleus. Also, North Carolina State Extension at https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/coleus-scutellarioides/.