Leaf Blotch

Dark, irregular blotches appear on leaves, sometimes with concentric rings or characteristic target patterns indicating fungal colonization. These fungal spots spread readily by rain splash and overhead irrigation water. Rake and remove all fallen leaves where spores overwinter, avoid overhead watering, and increase plant spacing for better air circulation throughout. Remove severely infected branches.

Leaf spot and blotch diseases are primarily cosmetic on established plants, though repeated years of heavy infection can weaken them. Rake up and remove fallen leaves to reduce the spore load going into the next season. Avoid overhead watering that splashes spores from the ground onto lower leaves. If the problem is severe, protective fungicide sprays during spring leaf emergence can help, but sanitation does more than chemistry for most leaf spots.