Flowering Ornamentals and Their Phenological Sequence for Integrated Landscape Pest Monitoring

Pest management in urban landscapes presents unique challenges because of the tremendous diversity of ornamental plants, each with its own complement of insect pests.   As a result, pesticides are applied on a calendar rather than an “as needed” basis, causing unnecessary pesticide use and increased environmental risks.  Plant phenology, the study of the annual cycles of plant development and how these cycles respond to seasonal changes in the environment, can be used as a tool to predict climate changes and pest activities in nurseries and landscapes.  A phenology research garden was established at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station in fall 2006. Thirty-five woody flowering species were planted and monitored for major phonological events during 2007.  Flowering sequence of 15 species was documented.      Numerical phonological stages were developed for major species according to BBCH principle.