We have a skimmia in the garden which is turning black. The leaves seem to
have a black powdery deposit on them. Does anyone know what it is? What
should I do ?
Neil

In article , Neil Hampshire
writes
We have a skimmia in the garden which is turning black. The leaves seem to
have a black powdery deposit on them. Does anyone know what it is? What
should I do ?

I've never seen it on skimmia, but on other plants it is black mould
growing on sticky deposits resulting from insect infestation. Look on
the leaves above the black mould area, look on the underside of the
leaves, and see if you have oval light to dark brown bumps up to about
4mm long. If you have, then you have scale insect - get rid of these,
then wash off the mould (or let the rain do it).
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"