Hi,
This seemed to come out of nowhere, and is now affecting several of my Rose of Sharons. The spots are yellow. They don't appear to be raised. I've tried to read about the usual diseases-fungus and bacteria, or insects, but didn't see examples like this. My best guess is insects. There do not appear to be any blemishes on the stalks, only the leaves. Someone mentioned that yellow leaves could be overwatering (we have clay soil that I've tried amending with compost and leaf mulch), but I wouldn't think that would cause spots like this.
Thank you for any help.
Jacki

Are any other plants affected? Has anything been sprayed on or near them? It sounds like it happened suddenly, has it got any worse since you first noticed it?

Where are these growing?
Almost looks like damage caused by a piercing insect... (like a weevil or something)....or maybe a snail.
Rose of Sharon are tough, I never worry about mine...

I have one that is slowly growing new leaves after shedding them in June (too dry).
Silliest thing, it kept blooming with no leaves!

The rest of them didn't get any water either, but held on to their leaves....

I saw some spider webs on one of the plants and my son found some spiders nearby, so I assume something must have laid eggs (although I didn't see any raised surface). I looked at nearby plants. An azalea and a clematis both have similar spots that are brown, not yellow, so I hadn't noticed them.

On the Rose of Sharon, some of the leaves are now curling up, but also new leaves are coming in and they look fine. Which validates the egg-laying theory. So. I sprayed two of the Rose of Sharon with an insect spray. (I also hoped to use something homemade and organic but didn't want to wait). I agree they are tough. They are faring much better in 100 degree heat than I am!

Next time... you might consider waiting before rushing for the poison.

I walked around my garden, and saw that little spots were on lots of stuff... on old leaves... a total non-issue.




Here's pokeweed and chenopodium with spots on old leaves... I never woulda even noticed them...