It’s easy to grow Sunshine Ligustrum shrub.
But sometimes, you may encounter different problems, which can discourage you from enjoying the fun process.
Dropping leaves, yellowing, and dying leaves, are some of the major problems you’ll encounter.
The good news is you can eliminate 98% of these Sunshine Ligustrum problems through adequate watering.
I use the HOMENOTE Self-Watering Planter Pot (on Amazon). It takes care of the ‘timing’ and ‘quantity’ of water required by the plant.
We are a firm believer that sunshine ligustrum is one of the easiest growing shrubs among all the plants. They grow at a very fast pace and require no specific care.
From mass planting to containers, they can be grown in multiple spaces with or without companion plants.
They can survive both the hottest and coldest temperatures, that’s why they are much better than many plants for increasing the appeal or exquisiteness of your garden space.
According to some planters, sunshine ligustrum is one of the plants we love the most in our backyard.
Sunshine Ligustrum always looks beautiful and healthy. The yellow foliage of this shrub makes it a superb choice for your space.
If you are noticing some problem in your sunshine ligustrum, then you must evaluate the real cause of the problem. The risk of problems like disease or infection is inevitable in the sunshine ligustrum like other plants.
Dropping leaves, curling of leaves, and faded color are some of the common problems in sunshine ligustrum.
Is it a big problem for the sunshine ligustrum? Is it a weather impact? We will discuss these factors in this guide.
Well, there is no need to worry because with little care and attention you can get rid of all the problems.
Some common problems in hedging plants are aphids, scale insects, vine weevils, winter moth caterpillars, spider mites, powdery mildew, and honey fungus.
Common Problems in Sunshine Ligustrum:
Here are some common problems in sunshine ligustrum,
- Losing leaves.
- Dying of hedge.
- Brown spots on ligustrum.
- Leaf spots.
- Dark brown marks on tree leaves.
Top 7 Problems in Sunshine Ligustrum and Fixes:
1). Aphids:
There is no need to be surprised after seeing Aphids in this list. It is one of the most common pests in plants and your hedge (sunshine ligustrum) is really prone to this pest.
It is a bug that sucks the juice of leaves and mostly attacks the newer leaves.
It comes in various colors and is covered with a woolly layer. You can easily see this bug from the naked eye and target young and soft leaf tips. It also weakens the growth of your plant.
How to fix it
It is really easy to fix this issue. You can remove these bugs from the leaves with the help of a damp cloth piece. You can also use beneficial insects to remove them naturally.
These methods are totally natural. If you want to try some chemical methods, then you can consider pesticides that are specifically designed to control aphids in the sunshine ligustrum or hedges. Buy those pesticides that contain Cypermethrin pr Deltamethrin.
2). Scale Insects:
It is another sap-sucking bug and resembles small limpets. They contain protective shells. There are plenty of species that can create a nuisance for hedges.
What are the main symptoms of scale insects? You can easily determine small bumps on both sides of leaves and even on stems.
They feature some white covering for protecting their eggs. Its infection can create big trouble for your hedge.
How to fix it
You can use a spray of soapy water and brush to remove scale insects from the woody stem. It is a natural method of controlling the propagation of scale insects.
For chemical control, you can go for pesticides that include Cypermethrin or Deltamethrin. The ideal time for the spray is summer. Don’t forget to read the instructions before using pesticides.
3). Vine Weevil:
It is a beetle that targets a variety of shrubs and plants. Plant leaves are their source of food and cause holes and dropping of leaves. It is such a dangerous situation for your hedge and they can even eat plant roots. They are mostly found on leaves during summer.
They make soil their permanent location and eat young and soft leaves. It can create wilting issues in hedges and it will eventually die.
How to fix
It is hard to detect adult weevils because they appear mostly at night. You can shake the hedge to remove vine weevil.
You can also utilize the microscopic nematode Steinernema kraussei. It is widely available in garden centers and effectively kills them.
In order to use a chemical method for getting rid of vine weevil, you can consider a product that contains acetamiprid. Well, there is no specific chemical solution for eliminating vine weevil.
4). Winter Moth Caterpillars:
This bug mostly attacks plants and hedges during the winter period from November to April. That’s why it is named a winter moth.
They emerge during this period and lay eggs. They destroy hedges by eating holes in newer leaves. If you see that young leaves are damaged, then it is a clear sign of a winter moth. You can see visible holes in newer leaves.
How to fix
Birds can eliminate winter moths as they eat these moths. So, you can introduce birds into your space. Tit birds are good for this purpose as they love to eat caterpillars.
There are a variety of pesticides in the market that helps to control winter moth caterpillars. Find a pesticide that boasts Cypermethrin or Deltamethrin.
5). Spider Mites:
Spider mites are another common pest that sucks the sap of leaves. They are found mostly on all plants including hedges.
They can create havoc during warm and dry weather, especially for outdoor plants. If the leaves show mottling on the upper surface, then it means they are experiencing problems.
You can visibly see eggshells and yellowish-green mites underside of the foliage. You will also encounter silky webs on the leaves and stems. The leaves will start fading and become more yellow.
How to fix it
Regular clipping of infested branches and leaves will keep spider mites at bay. Burn the infested trimmings in order to eradicate them completely. This dangerous pest can easily be removed from this natural method. Pesticides containing acetamiprid will help to control spider mites chemically.
6). Powdery Mildew:
It is a fungal disease of green stems and leaves. They’re mostly cover the area of leaves. They can survive in dry and humid conditions due to high water content.
It appears in the form of a white powdery surface on the leaves. You can notice this fungal disease by stunted and distorted growth of young leaves and tissues.
How to fix it
Water plants regularly during dry weather in order to decrease stress. It is really beneficial for younger plants.
You can effortlessly control mildews with pesticides. Products containing tebuconazole are really useful for this purpose. You are requested to follow the instructions given on the product for better results.
7). Honey Fungus:
There is a wide variety of honey fungi. They attack and kill the roots of hedges and shrubs. You will notice that the leaves are turning pale. Poor development of newer leaves is also a big sign of honey fungus.
In humid weather, the small branches will eventually die.
How to fix it
There is no chemical treatment for honey fungus. But, you can follow the natural method. Simply remove the infested leaves and stems and burn if possible. We request you to change the topsoil for eradicating honey fungus completely.
Honey fungus can create big problems for shrubs and hedges. So, you should take care of your hedges in order to keep these nuisances at bay.
What’s killing my sunshine ligustrum?
The most damaging problem is nematodes that can eventually kill your sunshine ligustrum. It commonly attacks ornamental plants and causes both above and below the ground plant damage. Y
ou can clearly see the wilting of leaves. Honey fungus is another common disease that can actually kill sunshine ligustrum. It is really destructive and spread through the soil.
Vinegar is good for removing this problem. If you are using bleach for cleaning your privet, then it is a major reason for killing the sunshine ligustrum.
Sunshine ligustrum is vulnerable to fungal diseases such as root rot, leaf spot, and more.
They can turn leaves yellow if the problem is very severe. You can follow proper spacing while planting privets in order to protect them from fungal diseases.
How to Revive a Dying Hedge
1. First of all, find the problem by evaluating and assessing your sunshine ligustrum.
2. Cut off the infested branches and leaves in order to get rid of them completely.
3. Burn those infested shears to reduce the risk of further problems.
4. Prune sunshine ligustrum regularly for boosting healthy and good growth.
5. Use natural methods of controlling pests.
6. If natural methods are not working then use pesticides.
7. Take care of the plant by checking the soil, water, and weather conditions.
Why is sunshine ligustrum losing leaves?
Too much or too low a supply of water can cause yellowing leaves. It is the main reason for dropping leaves in the sunshine ligustrum.
The improper supply of water also causes the browning of leaves. So, it is necessary to keep your sunshine ligustrum moist but never too dry or wet.
Why do brown spots appear on sunshine ligustrum?
It is because of the Cercospora fungus. It causes leaf spotting on your shrubs.
At first, these spots appear small but with the passage of time they appear larger and the leaves will eventually turn brown. It can eventually kill the leaves and sometimes hedge.