April 21, 2000
Little-Known Shrubs
When selecting shrubs for the landscape, many gardeners choose familiar plants, such as lilacs, dogwoods, spireas, and potentillas. However, there are a number of little known shrubs that are wonderful additions to the home landscape. Though they are not widely planted and may be somewhat difficult to find, the following shrubs are excellent plants for new and existing home landscapes.
Clover Mites: More Abundant Than Usual
Clover mites are very tiny arachnids that live and reproduce outdoors, but are frequently encountered as a household pest during the springtime when they migrate onto and into dwellings by mistake. They are only 1/64th inch long, soft, oval, and flattened from top to bottom. They vary in color from rusty brown to dark red. A distinguishing characteristic is the very long pair of front legs that extend forward like antennae.