Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Escallonia leaf spot

Ann Ennis2Ann Ennis2 Posts: 50
in Problem solving
I've identified escallonia leaf spot on a fairly old established shrub. I understand that the remedy is to cut back hard, and feed and water. But I'm not clear whether I have to cut out all the affected leaves. If so, then ther will be nothing left at all. It is substantially reduced now and I wonder if it will recover without further drastic action, rather like a rose survives having black spot without having to completely defoliate the plant.
Can anyone please advise me?

Posts

  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Been there. Done that. No hope. After a first spread of disease on well established escallonia specimens, I cut them back hard. They reacted well, with nice regrowth ... and the disease appeared again after one year. Gave them the final solution, uprooted and threw them away. I don't regret them at all, there are plenty of nicer shrubs available!
  • Ann Ennis2Ann Ennis2 Posts: 50
    That's sad, as I'd like to keep it. Maybe I'll give it another year too, as I think it's due to the very dry weather we've had.
  • yorkshireroseyorkshirerose Posts: 574
    I have Escallonia mac. 'Iveyii' which suffered dreadfully from leaf spot last year. I cut some of it back (it's a large shrub, about 6' x 8') and this year sprayed the foliage regularly with a dilute liquid seaweed solution (Maxicrop) to feed the foliage. Nowhere near as much blackspot appeared and I quickly picked off any affected leaves as they appeared, also cleared up any that had fallen.
    I don't intend to lose my shrub, it's part of a mixed hedge with my neighbour.
    A gardener's work is never at an end  - (John Evelyn 1620-1706)
  • Ann Ennis2Ann Ennis2 Posts: 50
    That's encouraging - thanks for this input. I am going to investigate fungicides mentioned on the RHS website, but not sure if I will use one. I will definitely use seaweed feed and keep an eye on new growth, as I intend to keep it if I can.
Sign In or Register to comment.