Hollyhock Rust

Question

Dear GKH Expert,

I have a beautiful Spring Celebrities Crimson Dwarf Hollyhock which is in the process of blooming flowers but it appears to be infected with rust. I have never bought this type of plant before; it was on clearance at Lowe’s and the picture of the flower on the information tag looked pretty so I decided to give it a try.

I recall seeing the yellowish spots on the larger leaves when I first purchased the plant but didn’t think much of them. Now, the spots have spread all over the plant and after researching online, I’ve come to realize it is a problem. The larger leaves have larger rust spots and the smaller leaves have tiny pinhead size spots all over (see attached pictures).

The only treatment I’ve done so far is I sprayed the top and bottom of the leaves with Garden Safe Fungicide 3 and cut off the larger leaves that had the large rust spots. Several websites I’ve come across say I need to remove all the infected leaves, but if I do that then how will my plant survive with out foliage?

I would appreciate your advice on what to do with the plant since the rust has spread over the majority of the leaves. I did not know my plant was sick when I bought it but it’s so beautiful and I’m really hoping I can save it somehow. Please help!

Thanks!

Emily

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer 1

This article has more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/hollyhock-rust-in-gardens.htm