Have you noticed brown spots, discolored patches, or unusual markings spreading across your lawn? Recent rains and high humidity create the perfect environment for lawn diseases to develop—sometimes seemingly overnight. The good news is that many common lawn diseases can be controlled when caught early.

Perennials look great when planted with other perennials, complimented with annual flowers, or placed near trees or shrubs. Here are some more tips to consider when creating your perennial garden: choose perennials with varying heights, select types of plants that bloom at different times of the season, and plant a mass of the same kind of perennials for more of an impact.

Seeing spots on leaves, powdery coatings, or sudden wilting can be discouraging—but plant diseases are a common part of gardening, and they’re often manageable with the right approach. The key is catching issues early and understanding what your plants are trying to tell you.