Question From: J. Lewis - Markesan, Wisconsin, United States
Q: My lily of the valley bed suffered a big, round die-off. The plants on the rim of the dead zone look burnt. I was gone so I did not see the decline. I did not see any orange balls at ground level on the stems. The bed looks as though it burned. This was a 20 year old bed with no problems until now - except overcrowding. Guessing it is a fungus of some kind. What should I do?
A: Sounds like southern blight. Remove and destroy infected plants. If any emerge unscathed spray them with a fungicide labeled for that plants. I would replant with another variety of plant. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
