What happened to that blackberry branch? The leaves are shriveled and curled up, and there’s white wax on the stem and leaves. This is damage from blackberry psyllid (Trioza tripunctata). Blackberry psyllids are bugs that look like small cicadas. They feed only on blackberry plants. They pierce the stem and suck out the sap. The… Continue reading What’s That? November 25, 2025
Category: Plants
What’s That? October 2, 2025
What is that? It’s a fertile frond of a cutleaf grape fern (Sceptridium dissectum).
What’s That? September 23, 2024
We went for a walk this weekend and came across these colorful berries. They look like Easter eggs! What is that? These are the fruit of porcelain-berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa). Before it had fruit, it looked like a frost grape vine with its forked tendrils. Porcelain-berry is in the grape family, but its berries are poisonous.… Continue reading What’s That? September 23, 2024
Winter Beauty
It’s January and things seem rather dead out there. But take a closer look. There’s still beauty all around. New York ironweed has long lost its showy purple flowers. Here’s what is underneath. The fuzzy seed heads of the goldenrod make interesting texture in the dull brown fields. And these feather-like wands are the seeds… Continue reading Winter Beauty
Winter Flowers in the WRAL Azalea Gardens
Have you ever been to the WRAL Azalea Gardens in Raleigh? I’ve only been in the spring to see the azaleas, but I knew they had plants that bloomed at different times of the year. I was in the area a few weeks ago and decided to explore the garden again. (This was before our… Continue reading Winter Flowers in the WRAL Azalea Gardens
Winter Plant Mystery- January 15, 2026
During the winter, I like to look at the plants without their leaves and flowers, and try to identify them. This plant caught my eye. I saw a large clump of it on the side of the road while I was driving one day. I didn’t have time to stop, and wondered what it was.… Continue reading Winter Plant Mystery- January 15, 2026
WRAL Azalea Garden in Full Bloom
If you love azaleas, now is the perfect time to visit the WRAL Azalea Garden in Raleigh. I was there on March 30, and I would say the azaleas were at 75% of their peak bloom. I think the next two weeks would be an ideal time to visit.