By Juliag
London,
United Kingdom 
Hello all,
It's been a while but I'm back with another problem for you all! I have looked at other questions, but they don't seem quite the same. My friend has several variegated laurels and today when I looked around her garden, I noticed that the largest looked jsut as though someone had thrown a bucket of oil over it. Black, dead shiny leaves and stems all through the large (5 - 6ft tall and 4 - 5 wide) plant. When I checked the other variegated laurels, they all have the same but to a much lesser degree. Her boundary ordinary laurels seem fine. What is this? I've even checked Alan Titchmarsh's website and HE DOESN'T KNOW!!! Please helpas you've kindly done before. Thanks
Julia
16 Aug, 2010
Answers
Julia, I am assuming that this is Aucuba japonica? (Spotted Dog Laurel).
Have a look at this site:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Ornamental/od21aucuba/od21aucuba.htm
16 Aug, 2010
You could send some samples to Wisley, I did this a few years ago and they were very helpful.
The Address is :
RHS Garden Wisley
Woking
GU23 6QB
17 Aug, 2010
This might sound stupid, but could it be pigeon droppings ?
16 Aug, 2010