Spots on my hydrangea leaves; fungus? - Ask Extension
Hello! I recently bought a hydrangea in June and planted it. It looked beautiful until a few weeks ago when the leaves began getting ugly spots and cr...
Knowledgebase
Spots on my hydrangea leaves; fungus? #879827
Asked August 01, 2024, 8:48 PM EDT
Hello! I recently bought a hydrangea in June and planted it. It looked beautiful until a few weeks ago when the leaves began getting ugly spots and crisping up before falling off. What is it and how do I get rid of it? Thanks!
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Susan,
There could be a few reasons for the spots on the leaves or your hydrangea. Have you seen any insects on the plant? You didn't include a photo of the whole plant, so it's difficult to see how much damage is on it. I am sending an article on the fourlined plant bug, which does significant damage to the leaves.
Most likely, though, your plant has Cercospora leaf spot, a fungal disease that affects many types of hydrangeas and other flowers.
"Cercospora leaf spot of hydrangea is a fungal disease that affects bigleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla; smooth hydrangea, H. arborescens; and oakleaf hydrangea, H. quercifolia. This disease does not kill the hydrangeas, but the spots can cause unsightly foliage. Severely infected plants may defoliate and often have reduced plant vigor and fewer flowers."
The following links are to articles about Cercospora leaf spot. In the articles, you will get information on the fungus and see photos that look like the leaves on your plant. The articles give care and management practices to control the fungus.
https://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1311
https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/u-scout/hydrangea/cercospora-leaf-spot.html
https://extension.psu.edu/hydrangea-diseases
If you choose to use a fungicide, be sure to follow the directions on the label.
I am also sending this article on the fourlined plant bug for comparison.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/leaf-spot-damage-fourlined-plant-bug-michigan-gardens
I hope this information is helpful, but don't hesitate to contact us again if you have questions or need further information.
Have a great week!
There could be a few reasons for the spots on the leaves or your hydrangea. Have you seen any insects on the plant? You didn't include a photo of the whole plant, so it's difficult to see how much damage is on it. I am sending an article on the fourlined plant bug, which does significant damage to the leaves.
Most likely, though, your plant has Cercospora leaf spot, a fungal disease that affects many types of hydrangeas and other flowers.
"Cercospora leaf spot of hydrangea is a fungal disease that affects bigleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla; smooth hydrangea, H. arborescens; and oakleaf hydrangea, H. quercifolia. This disease does not kill the hydrangeas, but the spots can cause unsightly foliage. Severely infected plants may defoliate and often have reduced plant vigor and fewer flowers."
The following links are to articles about Cercospora leaf spot. In the articles, you will get information on the fungus and see photos that look like the leaves on your plant. The articles give care and management practices to control the fungus.
https://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1311
https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/u-scout/hydrangea/cercospora-leaf-spot.html
https://extension.psu.edu/hydrangea-diseases
If you choose to use a fungicide, be sure to follow the directions on the label.
I am also sending this article on the fourlined plant bug for comparison.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/leaf-spot-damage-fourlined-plant-bug-michigan-gardens
I hope this information is helpful, but don't hesitate to contact us again if you have questions or need further information.
Have a great week!
Thanks for that information, Margo! I have not seen any insects. I have removed all the dead/spotty leaves and hope that my mostly bald hydrangea will recover! At least the this one wasn't a deer/bunny victim.
Sincerely,
Thanks for the photo. It looks as if the plant is pushing out new leaves, which is a good sign. Keep the information that I sent for future reference. The articles contain great information about the care of hydrangeas, especially for the fall and winter.
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
