LATE SUMMER'S LEAF DAMAGE

LATE SUMMER'S LEAF DAMAGE

I'm afraid I won't be much help in identifying what exactly is munching on many of the leaves in the garden this time of year, but I find it curious as the light is slightly waning and the Tulip Poplar trees are characteristically shedding their leaves that many woodland plants, ornamental introductions and natives, look to be partially eaten.  Here are some images to ponder. 

Above native Violet leaves on the left and hybrid Heuchera 'Autumn Bride' on the right. Both are somebody's lunch or dinner! 

 

Phlox paniculata on the left should have been cut back weeks ago so it is showing mildew and leaf holes. The Variegated Solomon's Seal on the right began looking poorly when we had a couple of weeks of high heat and no rain. Plants that are stressed are targets for predators. 

A medley of natives with holes and munch marks around the edges. Clockwise from top left:  Jewelweed, Heart's a Bustin' and Wood Aster. 

A deciduous Holly with what looks like leaf minor damage. 

Invasive Poison Ivy was tasty to a brave creature. I say, "Have at it!"

Native Persimmon on the left and Cornus Mas on the right are also an inviting treat to something. 

I saw a wooly Aphid on the back of the sickly looking Fatsia japonica leaf (above left).  On the same plant sitting above it in the main growing stalk is a perfect shiny dark green leaf as it should look. The damaged leaf is older and it may be that it's time to be sacrificed to one of Nature's insects. 

Fungus spots show up this time of year also. Here on a Dwarf Red Twig Dogwood, Cornus kelseyi, with too much sun and not enough moisture as well as being in acidic sandy soil tolerates its misplacement. It spreads slowly and its beautiful thin stems shimmer red in the winter. You don't see this for sale much in retail nurseries because of the fungus. But, it is a beautiful 2' tall  suckering ground cover shrub without fungus damage when it has ample shade and water in the landscape. 

When native Itea virginica suffers nutrient deficiencies (here a yellow leaf with green veins crying out for some chelated iron in my acid soil) it is unfairly attacked. 

Corelopsis spicata's leaves are browning and curling. This is not insect damage. I suspect heat and water issues. 

And finally, the 'Darling' ornamental of any garden in woodlands are the huge selection of Hosta cultivars. They are  specific in their needs but always will attract the evil night stalker, THE SLUG. I went out at 4am to see if I could pick some off and found this little friend waiting for, I can only hope, a breakfast of baby slugs. This frog has to wait until the creature eats a hole and pokes through the leaf before it can have it's early morning repast.

So, I'll continue raking the falling Tulip Poplar leaves off the paths in August and not worry too, too much while nature has its way with the declining leaves of late summer.