Powdery mildews commonly infect which plants?

• A. Crabapples, lilac, dogwood, and roses
• B. Pines and spruces only
• C. Grasses and cereals only
• D. Citrus and mango

Answer: (A)

Powdery mildews have a strong tendency to attack a wide range of ornamentals, especially woody plants that are common in home landscapes. In practice, the most frequently observed hosts are roses, lilacs, dogwoods, and crabapples, which is why this set best represents the typical problems gardeners see with powdery mildew. The white, powdery fungal growth on leaves and stems is a telltale sign on these plants, and their growth habits and microclimates in landscapes often favor the disease.

Other groups can be affected in different contexts (grasses and cereals can host powdery mildews, and conifers or fruit trees like citrus and mango may suffer infections in certain cases), but those groups are not as representative of the common ornamental problems seen in home gardens and landscapes. Therefore, the option listing crabapples, lilacs, dogwood, and roses aligns with the usual, everyday hosts of powdery mildew.