Knowledgebase
Dying smokebush #935325
Asked June 13, 2026, 7:03 AM EDT
Portage County Ohio
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for your question and your pictures.
I did not see any cankers in your pictures which eliminate opportunistic fungus. However I believe your Smokebush may have Veritillium wilt which is caused by a fungus in the soil which spreads up through the roots.
I normally tell gardeners to prune out dead and dying material and apply a fungicide but fungicides do not control Veritillium wilt. Being a positive gardener I advise pruning out the dead, water to avoid our summer dry periods and amend the soil with a good balanced fertilizer. Be prepared to remove your Smokebush later this summer if you see no improvement. Replace
with something resistant to this fungus wilt. For more assistance you can visit or call the Portage County OSU Extension Office at 705 Oakwood St., Suite 103, Ravenna, Ohio 44266 or call them at<personal data hidden>.
I sure hope I have not been too chatty and have been helpful.
Mike Heys
Franklin County Master Gardener
Regards,
On Jun 13, 2026, at 5:39 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
I will keep my fingers crossed too Kathy! Good luck and happy gardening.
Sincerelyy,
Mike Heys, Franklin County Master Gardener
Regards
On Jun 13, 2026, at 6:16 PM, Kathy Kallman wrote:
Thank you for your prompt response. I will keep fingers crossed but verticillium wilt was what I was afraid of. No, you’re not too chatty at all!Regards,KathyOn Jun 13, 2026, at 5:39 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
85% - 90% confident Kathy. Your bush is among more than a dozen very susceptible and with our crazy spring I think I will see more.
If you do just remove the bush and wish to plant a new variety make sure your new plant is resistant to the Verticillium wilt.
Mike
