symptoms
Symptoms
- circleBrown or black blotches on leaves, often with concentric rings
- circleBlackened flower stems and buds
- circleCollapse and death of flower stalks in severe cases
help
Causes
Caused by the fungus Microsphaeropsis hellebori (formerly Coniothyrium hellebori), favored by damp, humid conditions and overcrowded plantings.
healing
Treatment
Remove and destroy affected leaves and stems promptly, and apply a fungicide labeled for leaf spot diseases if infection is recurrent.
shield
Prevention
Cut back old foliage at the end of winter before new growth emerges, improve air circulation, and avoid overhead watering.