logo: University of Minnesota Extension Gardening Information

What's wrong with my plant?

Peony > Leaves > Spots on leaves

1 of 5
  • leaf blotch 1
    Credit: Michelle Grabowski
  • leaf blotch 2

    Credit: Michelle Grabowski

  • leaf blotch 3

    Credit: Michelle Grabowski

  • - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -

green arrowLeaf Blotch (aka Measles)
Cladosporium paeoniae

  • 1 inch or larger, irregular to round reddish purple blotches on leaves
  • Older leaf spots have dead tan areas with irrgular black lines in the center
  • Leaves may be curled or twisted near the leaf spot
  • In severe cases leaves completely die, but remain attached to the plant
  • Red streaks on stems
  • Typically seen mid to late summer, after bloom
  • More information on Leaf Blotch ...
2 of 5
  • gray mold 3
    Credit: Michelle Grabowski
  • gray mold 2

    Credit: Michelle Grabowski

  • gray mold 1

    Credit: Michelle Grabowski

  • - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -

green arrowGray Mold
Botrytis paeoniae

  • New shoots turn black, wilt and die when they emerge in the spring
  • Leaves and petals have black to brown irregular spots, and may turn completely black
  • Stem infections turn brown or black and often have a target spot appearance
  • Flower buds turn black to brown and fail to open
  • All infected plant parts produce fluffy gray spores with moisture
  • Most common in cool, wet weather
  • More information on Gray Mold ...
3 of 5
  • foliar nematode 1
    Credit: Michelle Grabowski
  • foliar nematode 2

    Credit: Michelle Grabowski

  • foliar nematode 3

    Credit: Michelle Grabowski

  • - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -

green arrowFoliar Nematode
Aphelenchoides sp.

  • Wedge shaped sections of the leaf turns yellow then reddish-purple
  • Purple area of the lea limited by major leaf veins
  • Most common late summer to early fall
  • Seen of the lower leaves first, but can spread to the entire plant
  • More information on Foliar Nematode ...
4 of 5
  • virus 1
    Credit: Pfleger, et al
  • - CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE -

green arrowVirus
Tomato spotted wilt, Tobacco rattle virus and others

  • Yellow or light green rings, wavy lines or spots on leaves
  • Occasionally dead brown spots on leaves
  • Plants may be small, have spidly stalks, and may not flower
  • Lab test required to distinguish between viruses and verify infection
  • More information on Viruses ...
5 of 5
  • phytophora 1
    Credit: Pfleger, et al
  • - CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE -

green arrowPhytophora Leaf Blight
Phytophora cactorum

  • Black leathery spots on leaves or buds
  • New shoots or stems have long sunken black lesions and may fall over
  • In severe cases the crown and roots of the plant are soft, wet and muchy; the entire plant wilts and dies
  • Common in heavy, poorly drained soil
  • Most severe in wet weather
  • More information on Phytophora Leaf Blight ...

Don't see what you're looking for?