Viburnum: Shoot blight (Gray mold)

Biology

Shoot blight of viburnum is caused by Botrytis cinerea, a fungus commonly found on ornamentals, greenhouse plants and flowers, vegetables, and small fruits. Viburnums develop gray to brown spots along the leaf margins. The spots spread to involve the entire leaf. Flowers are blighted and shoots may be killed back. The fungus may be seen on affected plant parts as a sparse, fuzzy, gray-brown growth. The fungus may also develop dark structures on blighted tissues. This disease is favored by wet weather.

Management Options

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Plant in full sun.
• Space plants and prune to provide good air circulation.
• Remove and destroy infected leaves and shoots. Collect infected tissues carefully to avoid spreading the disease.
• Rake and destroy fallen leaves.
• Avoid overhead watering.
• Provide proper culture. Healthy, unstressed plants are more resistant to disease.

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

• None recommended