Professional disease diagnosis, pest control, and health management. Expert problem-solving for valuable landscape plants since 1986.
Call for Plant Health AssessmentPlant problems worsen rapidly if left untreated. The difference between saving valuable plants and losing them often comes down to recognizing problems early.
Call immediately if you notice: Yellowing leaves, dead branches, unusual spots, wilting, stunted growth, or anything that just looks "wrong".
Early intervention is critical!
Many plant problems look similar but require completely different treatments. Yellowing leaves might indicate nutrient deficiency, root disease, drought stress, overwatering, or pest damage.
Applying the wrong treatment wastes money and time while real problems worsen. Professional diagnosis identifies actual causes so treatment addresses root problems, not just symptoms.
Our 39 years with Howard County landscapes means we recognize common diseases and pests immediately and know which treatments work effectively in our region.
Systematic diagnostic and treatment approach for effective results.
Thorough examination of symptoms, plant vigor, environmental conditions, pest presence, and recent weather events.
Identify specific disease, pest, or cultural problem. Recognize common issues immediately or collect samples for lab analysis.
Recommend appropriate solutions—targeted pesticides, cultural changes, fertilization, or replacement when necessary.
MDA-licensed crews apply targeted treatments at optimal timing using professional equipment and techniques.
Monitor results, provide prevention guidance, develop long-term health care plans for ongoing landscape health.
Devastating fungal disease causing rapid leaf drop and stem dieback. Early diagnosis critical—aggressive treatment can sometimes slow progression.
Symptoms: Dark leaf spots, stem lesions, sudden defoliation
Common on hollies, euonymus, magnolias. Suck plant juices causing yellowing, stunted growth, and sticky honeydew.
Treatment: Properly timed oils or systemic insecticides during crawler stage
Damages broadleaf evergreens—azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies, boxwood. Brown scorched foliage from desiccation or freeze damage.
Recovery: Prune dead foliage, proper fertilization and watering
Fungal and bacterial diseases causing circular or irregular spots on leaves, often with yellow halos.
Treatment: Identify specific pathogen, implement fungicide program when warranted
Tiny arachnids causing stippling and bronzing on evergreens, especially during hot, dry periods. Problematic on arborvitae, junipers, spruces.
Treatment: Miticides with proper timing and thorough coverage
Alkaline Howard County soils limit iron availability. Acid-loving plants develop yellowing leaves with green veins.
Solution: Soil acidification and iron supplementation programs
While we excel at treating problems, prevention is always preferable and less expensive. Protect valuable plants before problems develop.
Inspect landscape plants throughout growing season, identifying potential problems early when treatment is most effective.
Dormant oil applications, preventative fungicides for disease-prone plants, anti-desiccant sprays for winter protection.
Guidance on proper watering, drainage, fertilization, and pruning that keeps plants naturally resistant to pests and diseases.
Professional diagnosis identifies real problems, not just symptoms. Ensures treatment addresses actual causes for effective results.
Experience selecting right products, application methods, and timing for each specific issue. Know what requires treatment vs. what's aesthetic.
MDA-licensed crews with proper equipment achieve thorough coverage, correct concentrations, and safe handling.
Mature plants represent significant investments—hundreds or thousands to replace. Professional care protects these assets.
Call for assessment if you notice: leaves turning yellow, brown, or developing spots; branches dying back; unusual growth; wilting despite water; insects or webbing; sticky residue; sudden leaf drop; stunted growth; or anything that looks "wrong." Early intervention is critical—plants are much easier to save when problems are caught early. We'd rather assess a healthy plant than have you wait until problems become severe and irreversible.
It depends on the problem and how advanced it is. Many issues are manageable if caught early. Scale, mites, and many fungal diseases respond well to prompt treatment. Some problems like boxwood blight are extremely difficult once established. Winter injury often looks devastating but many plants recover. During assessment, we honestly evaluate whether plants can be saved, treatment involved, expected results, and costs. Sometimes removal is most practical.
Yes, when applied properly by licensed professionals. Our MDA License #23902 requires training in safe practices, product selection, and environmental protection. We use targeted treatments minimizing broader impacts. Many products have minimal toxicity and short re-entry intervals. We provide clear post-treatment precautions. Some treatments like horticultural oils are very low-impact. We emphasize cultural controls and prevention to minimize pesticide use.
Costs vary based on problem severity, number of affected plants, treatment required, and property size. Simple issues like treating single shrub for scale: $75-150. Comprehensive preventative programs cost more. Major problems requiring multiple treatments cost more than one-time interventions. During assessment, we provide detailed estimates before treatment. Investing in prevention or early treatment is far more cost-effective than replacing dead plants—mature shrub replacement: $200-500+.
Many do, yes. Diseases spread through spores via wind, water, or tools. Insects move plant-to-plant seeking food. This is why early treatment is important—addressing one plant prevents spread. Boxwood blight is highly contagious and can devastate entire plantings. Scale spreads more slowly but eventually infests adjacent plants. Cultural problems don't spread but often affect multiple plants in same area due to shared soil. We evaluate whether nearby plants are at risk and recommend protective treatments.
Absolutely. If plants need replacement, we recommend alternatives more resistant to issues common in Ellicott City. For example, if boxwood blight killed boxwood, we suggest blight-resistant varieties or alternatives like Japanese holly that fill similar roles without disease problems. Our 39 years of experience means we know which plants perform reliably here. We provide replanting consultation and can handle professional installation of replacements.
Professional diagnosis and treatment can save plants, prevent problem spread, and restore your landscape's health. Early intervention is critical.
Call (410) 992-8680 for Assessment