Marianne's Response

Black spots on hydrangea leave

I have discovered black spots on my hydrangea leaves. How do I treat this and with what. Thanks for your help.
Kathy Hickie

Posted by Kathy Hickie on June 18, 2019

Marianne's Response

The spots on the foliage looks like a fungal infection either rust or shot hole disease. Cut out the most infected branches, try not to wet the foliage and spray the entire shrub with a fungicide following the instructions on the label.  Ortho Rose and Flower Disease Control is one example and you can order it online at Amazon.  Good air circulation and dry foliage helps the plant to resist the fungus among us. You may also need to cut the plant almost to the ground if the disease persists. The new growth will then have a chance to be disease free. Make sure to clean up fallen leaves as they can infect the plant. A fresh mulch of wood chips at the base of the shrub may help to seal in any disease spores that have fallen to the ground. This is a treatable disease so do not give up hope. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti