Thanks for your question.

I have the following thoughts regarding the Burning Bush (image #5591):

1). As you pointed out, there are brown and tan spots, some spots even have small holes. The margins of these spots look irregular and sometimes joined together. In places, the leaves appear partially eaten, even skeletonized.

2). I think that two things might be going on. The leaf spots are most likely fungal in origin. Possible fungal causes might be Cercospora or Phyllosticta. To determine which of these two is the responsible pathogen would require laboratory analyses. See:

https://library.bustmold.com/cercospora/ - :~:text=Also, due to inflected damage by the,lesions with reddish-brown margins, with yellow halos.

https://www.gardenia.net/disease/cercospora-leaf-spot - :~:text=Fungicides: Several fungicides are effective,, or copper-based compounds.

https://www.picturethisai.com/disease/Euonymus-alatus--Compactus--Spots.html

3). The second thing that might be affecting the Burning Bush is some type of insect pest. In fact, this pest may have caused the holes in the leaf by munching on the affected tissue in the leaf spot. In the absence of any picture showing an insect pest, I cannot tell you what might be involved.

4). For remedial actions, remove and discard heavily infected leaves (do not compost). There is no need to apply any fungicide now. The infection has progressed to a point that fungicides would have minimal effect. However early in 2026 (mid-April 2026), apply a fungicide containing chlorothalonil or copper.

5). You could inspect the undersides of the leaves at this time. Look for small larvae or beetles and treat with insecticidal soap or Neem oil if found.

With respect to the Japanese Barberry (image #5593):

1. There are numerous small, round tan-to-brown lesions with dark edges. As with the burning bush, I think that fungal activity is responsible for the lesions while some chewing insect attacked the leaf tissue in these lesions and produced holes.

2). There are two common fungal pathogens found in barberry: Septoria or Anthracnose. Either one could have infected the barberry. Laboratory analyses would be necessary to determine precisely which one was the cause. The significant leaf damage could not have been the result of fungal infection. Instead, think Japanese beetle (most likely) or sawfly larvae. See:

https://www.picturethisai.com/disease/Berberis-thunbergii-Spots.html

https://www.picturethisai.com/disease/Berberis-thunbergii-f--atropurpurea--Rose-Glow--Dark-spots.html

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/berberis-thunbergii/ - :~:text=Anthracnose, root rot, bacterial leaf,native alternatives to the left.

3). For remediation, rake and remove fallen leaves to reduce fungal spore overwintering. Do not compost this plant debris. Rather discard it in the trash. Although you did not send a picture showing the full barberry plant, I’m going to guess that it could use some selective pruning of individual branches. Your objective will be thinning some of the dense growth to promote better airflow.

If you happen to encounter any beetles or larvae, remove them and place into water containing some type of detergent. However, given the lateness of the season (mid-August 2026), I doubt that you will find anything.

As with the burning bush, next spring (2026) apply a fungicide containing chlorothalonil or copper. Follow the application directions on the product label.

There is no need to dig up and toss these shrubs because of their current appearances. Both have treatable conditions. However, the barberry is considered an invasive species in Minnesota. For this reason, now might be an opportune time to get rid of it. See:

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/japanesebarberry.html

Good luck. You have a couple of challenges facing you. I suspect that your other shrubs are also infected by one or more of the fungal diseases that I’ve previously mentioned. Please get back to us with any additional, related questions. Thanks for consulting us.