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Milky coating on Hebe bush?

gerard mcmanusgerard mcmanus Posts: 41
in Problem solving

My Hebe bush has developed this milky coating on its leaves this summer. I wasn't sure what it was. But as it wiped off, I let it be. Now it seems to be spreading to the new growth, and it's sheading allot more leaves than normal. 

Is this something like box blight? Not sure what to do with it. Any help or advice would be appreciated, thanks.

Posts

  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,419
    Looks like powder Mildew, its a fungal disease.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    Yes, powdery mildew.  Plants under stress are most susceptible and there is a lot of it about this year due to the long, hot, dry period.  Try giving it a lot of water over the next few weeks and perhaps feed the soil under it with something like fish, blood & bone.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • gerard mcmanusgerard mcmanus Posts: 41
    Thank you for the identification and advice, I really appreciate it. I have done a little reading, and this does sound like it. 

    I will give it a good feed and cut it hard back.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    Check the variety before cutting back hard Gerard as some hebes don't like that and may not come back.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • gerard mcmanusgerard mcmanus Posts: 41
    BobTheGardener said:
    Check the variety before cutting back hard Gerard as some hebes don't like that and may not come back.
    I am not sure of the variety, but this has overgrown it home, and has been trimed back each year, so hopefully will regrow. I will leave the trimming until spring, to give it s good chance.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    Good, if it has responded to pruning before, it sounds like it should be OK.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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