Knowledgebase
Why are my columbine leaves changing color? #871109
Asked June 01, 2024, 11:29 PM EDT
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi... I realized I uploaded the wrong photo. This is the columbine photo I meant to have loaded. Ignore the other photo unless you are an expert in identifying native avens from non-native avens. :) Do you know what might be causing the leaves to change color? Thank again!
The second is a lightening of the leaves caused by another fungus, powdery mildew: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/columbine-aquilegia-spp-powdery-mildew
I'm afraid that your photo is taken from too far a distance for us to discern which yours has, because there is not detail, and we would need to see the underleaf, as well. You can read these descriptions to find out control recommendations. It is too late to apply fungicides, so you may just need to live with it until next year. Good luck!
Thank you.. I think it is Stagonosporopsis aquilegiae because purple is involved even though the pictures in the handbook do not quite look like what I have. I have attached a few more photos. The leaves on many of the plants are completely purple on top, the stems are purple also , and the flowers have dried up without forming seeds it appears. On some there may be some powdery mildew are well. I will remove the purpling plants and any mildew ones as well and dispose of them in my green waste garbage bin. Do I need to remove the roots in addition to the vegetative sections? And I also have lupine in my garden and they have powdery mildew on their leaves and stems already - I normally get powdery mildew on the lupine every year but this is super early this year. Should I likewise get rid of the parts of the lupine that have mildew on them? Thanks again.