Amber Jubilee ninebark

Question

I planted my Amber Jubilee ninebark last fall. It survived the winter and grew pretty leaves in the spring and early summer. Then about mid July I noticed the leaves turning brown. I started watering it and a little later even fertilized it. The leaves have dark spots on them and are all very dry, and discolored looking, although you can see just a little green in the background which leads me to believe it’s still alive. I have tried spraying it with Seven a couple of times but it hasn’t helped. Also, there is a few spider web like things on it. Those are also on some of my other landscaping plants about 20 feet away. What can I do to save my Amber Julilee? I REALLY don’t want to lose it!

Answer 1

Spider web appearing areas usually indicates spider mites. These are hard to control; Sevin will not do it. Your best defense is to water during the hot or windy weeks of summer. Ninebark is susceptible to powdery mildew which first shows up on the leaves of new growth, often in the interior of the plant. It will destroy infected leaves in bad cases. Again, weekly watering is your best defense as powdery mildew starts in hot, dry weather. My experience is that this shrub does better if some long and interior branches are removed to improve air circulation. It is important to clean up all fallen leaves this fall and destroy them. Keep watering weekly throughout fall if the soil dries out. Your shrub gets a fresh start next spring and will recover from this year’s problems. If, after researching powdery mildew on ninebark, you don’t think this was the problem, please submit photos and give your location.