skip to main content

Black spots on tree peony leaves?

7 years ago

Few days ago I went by my tree peonies and noticed black spots on top foliage on one. Today I removed all foliage on the plant. Looked at other tree peonies and didn't see any spots. I was quite surprised, in the 20 years of growing them it's the first time I observed fungus. In any case by the end of September I cut down all foliage on my peonies and discard it. Is there anything else I need to do i wonder?

Featured Answer

lizbest1

7 years ago

I don't think I've ever seen any fungus or mildew on any tree peonies but I've been growing them for a much shorter period than you have. It sounds to me that you've taken effective action, hopefully you won't see it come back next year. Tree peonies that have been in place for 20 years must be incredibly impressive, please post pictures of your flowers next spring!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

yugoslava
Original Author
7 years ago
I have seen mildew on peonies, it's the first time I see them on tree peonies. Air circulation is very important. I think I have that. We had a lot of rain in Toronto this year, late summer and fall. Even though Ontario suffered great drought. On a sunny day there was moisture hanging in the air. Plants didn't have a chance to dry. I'll see what next summer brings. I have 4 tree peonies and a yellow one, which I incidentally cut when I was removing peony foliage on Thursday. I didn't cut too much, little bit of top growth. Hope it grows back! Can't believe I did that.
Related Discussions
Black spots on Pear Tree leaves
Q
Comments (4)
Looks like damage from pear blister mites and perhaps aphids as well. These are not critical problems but could be pretty much eliminated with a good dormant spraying program. As to the fruit falling off, do you have a second pear tree around? Pears are not self-fertile and need a second one of a different type to cross pollinate. Fruit may well develop on a single tree but will abort without proper pollination.
...See More
Tree Leaves with black spots in clusters - help?
Q
Comments (3)
Your tree is a maple and it has tar spot. It's a common fungal problem and while unsightly and can cause a lot of early leaf drop, it is not particularly harmful to an otherwise healthy tree. It is aggravated by plentiful rainfall and that is likely the only connection to what's happening with the lawn - that is very likely a fungal issue as well. the Lawn Care forum has been inundated with posts about this issue this season. The next time Tru Green shows up, ask them to apply a lawn fungicide.
...See More
Please Help! Pear tree leaves with black spots
Q
Comments (3)
dish soap is a detergent ... and very harsh as compared to horticultural soaps ... why did you think they needed spraying in the first place ... how long have the trees been in situ ... where are you.. z5 is about half the US ... and wildly divergent .. in my z5 MI .... its been in the mid 90s for the last week ... up until it broke a the other day.. i would never spray a plant with anything during that kind of heat ... all that said.. those leaves are still green enough to be doing what they do.. converting sun to energy ... so i would be to worried about such superficial damage ... ken
...See More
Lemon tree with tiny black spots on leaves: please help
Q
Comments (6)
Thank you, Silica. I will contact the local Extension service. Meanwhile I found this on Citrus Black Spot: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-and-disease-programs/pests-and-diseases/citrus/citrus-black-spot/citrus-black-spot . The description of the spots does not quite match what I am seeing and fortunately the fruit has not been affected. My lemon tree started as a volunteer. Its parents may have been commercial citrus cultivars but it grew from a seed spread by the wind or wildlife. I wasn't sure what it was when it first appeared in my garden but it was too close to a rosebush so I put it in a small pot. That was about 10 years ago. I have 2 other store-bought lemon trees but they are more than 40 feet away and so far neither has spotted leaves.
...See More
lizbest1
7 years ago
You have so much time invested in your tree peonies, I can certainly understand your anxiety about accidentally cutting out some top growth! They can be trimmed for shaping purposes and I've seen posts where people have chopped them down, thinking they were to be pruned like herbaceous, and they recover from that. My P. Ostii have died all the way back to the ground then put out new growth and bloomed same season so I KNOW tree peonies can recover from enormous setbacks. Hopefully yours will be just as gorgeous as always next spring!
yugoslava thanked lizbest1
yugoslava
Original Author
7 years ago
One more reason I was rushing is, Thursday this week was a day they collect garden refuse and I managed to get it out long before pickup. Also you don't want fungus hanging in the garden and spreading to other parts of the garden.
User
7 years ago
I find it humorous/ironic that people send their infected plant material for municipal composting. Realize that if there is a serious problem they may be spreading the problem every where the compost is later used. Most municipal composting does compost at a higher temperature but depending on the problem, this one is a minor problem, the temperatures may not be high enough to kill the problem.
yugoslava
Original Author
7 years ago
Funny you would mention that. I've had thoughts about that for a long time. At one time people burned their garden waste, It would choke the city nowdays!

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Peonies

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Fancy some old-time romance and low-maintenance color in your garden? These long-lived flowers are just the thing

FALL GARDENING 5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden

By Therese Ciesinski

Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on trees

GARDENING GUIDES Plant Black Cherry Trees for the Birds and Bees

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant Prunus serotina in the Central and Eastern U.S. for spring flowers, interesting bark and beautiful fall color

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Healthy Ways to Handle Fallen Leaves

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Once nature's beautiful bounty is spent, these ecofriendly strategies for leaves will put your yard in the clear

GARDENING GUIDES What's Wrong With My Plant? Leaves Often Hold the Clues

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Learn how to identify common plant ailments by reading their leaves

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Fantastic Ferns to Enliven Shady Garden Spots

By Matt Kilburn

For long-term interest with little upkeep in challenging conditions, ferns might just be your garden's new best friend

DECORATING GUIDES Cool Wallpaper Spotted: Wait, No It's Fabric!

By Jen L'Italien

Woodsy-modern pattern adds whimsy and color to a baby-friendly bathroom

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Aruncus Dioicus Is a Stately Plant for Shady, Moist Garden Spots

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant goat’s beard in perennial and woodland gardens. Its large white spring blooms attract bees, beetles and butterflies

GARDENING GUIDES Tree Care: Common Tree Diseases and What to Do About Them

By Falon Mihalic

Learn to recognize trees that may be affected by diseases or pests so you can quickly take action

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Tree: Australian Tea Tree

By Annie Thornton

A living sculpture with an unmistakable appearance, this coastal native creates an intriguing landscape scene

Sponsored

More Discussions

Buying bare root Itoh peonies in spring?

6