Dark Specks on Red Tip Photinia Leaves: Cause and Cure

Likely Chemical Splash or Drift

Dark specks on front-facing leaves of red tip photinia suggest something splashed or drifted onto the foliage—herbicide, fertilizer, or pesticide overspray.

Remediation

• Prune off affected leaves to encourage clean new growth.
• Apply a balanced fertilizer to speed recovery.
• Identify and prevent the source of drift/splash for future protection.

Monitor for Disease

If specks spread or develop yellow halos, it could be Entomosporium leaf spot. In that case, apply a labeled fungicide at 7-10 day intervals during wet weather. But the localized, front-only pattern strongly points to external contact.