Question
My gardenia bushes are turning black on the leaves and have a white sticky undercoating on the branches. What kind of vermin do I have and how do I get rid of it.
Thanks for any help

Answer
Diana,

Your Gardenias have Aphids. The sticky substance that you see is hoenydew- their excrement. The black on the leaves is a fungus called sooty mold that normally grows on the honeydew.

I would recommend treating the plants with a general insecticide to control the aphids, then wash off the leaves with a horticultural soap.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen