---
title: What are those black spots on my hydrangea (hosta/lilac/crape myrtle) leaves?
description: "It is probably cercospora leaf spot, a common disease on many ornamental plants. Recommendations are to practice good clean-up and sanitation, use a soaker hose instead of overhead watering, apply fungicide appropriate for cercospora leaf spot in early spring —…"
url: "https://www.henricomg.org/docs/what-are-those-black-spots-on-my-hydrangea-hosta-lilac-crape-myrtle-leaves/"
updated: "2021-09-10"
category: SHRUBS
---

# What are those black spots on my hydrangea (hosta/lilac/crape myrtle) leaves?

It is probably cercospora leaf spot, a common disease on many ornamental plants. Recommendations are to practice good clean-up and sanitation, use a soaker hose instead of overhead watering, apply fungicide appropriate for cercospora leaf spot in early spring — it’s not effective to cure already affected parts of the plant. Treat every 10-14 days while new growth is emerging. This disease is usually cosmetic and rarely kills the plant. In the future, you may want to select varieties that are resistant.