My skimmia which is in a shady spot has developed this stuff. I've had no problems with it before. It's now spreading to nearby Campanula. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Looks like a sooty mould which grows on sugary secretions from aphids. You need to wash it off every leaf using warm water and a soft cloth and then keep an eye out for more aphids coming along.
You can squeeze them with your fingers or blast those off with a spray from a hosepipe or wait for the ladybirds, hoverflies and lace wings to come and hoover them up. Tits and sparrows also feed them to their nestlings as moist nutritious food so try and avoid sprays.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
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Can't tell you what you should do though, sorry.
You can squeeze them with your fingers or blast those off with a spray from a hosepipe or wait for the ladybirds, hoverflies and lace wings to come and hoover them up. Tits and sparrows also feed them to their nestlings as moist nutritious food so try and avoid sprays.