Why does your Hydrangea macrophylla Magical Green Cloud have white cottony spots? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
These small, soft-bodied insects secrete a white, waxy, cottony substance to protect themselves while feeding on the sap of the Hydrangea stems and leaf undersides.
This fungal pathogen manifests as white, flour-like patches on the leaf surfaces, often exacerbated by high humidity and poor air circulation around the dense foliage of 'Magical Green Cloud'.
Similar to mealybugs, scale insects produce a white, filamentous covering that can resemble cotton tufts on the woody stems of the hydrangea.
While usually presenting as stippling, certain life stages or waste products of small insects can appear as white, irregular spots on the foliage.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues: