Question
Thank you! additionally I have a very vigorous growing honeysuckle (4 indivdual plants) after they begin to bud the flowers turn black and become brittle; this has happened for several years. What do you reccomend? Should I attempt to dead head the black brittle flowers as I see that new honeysucle flowers are attempting to bud behind (after) the "blackness" what about pesticides ( I hate to use them, but I have tried with no success in this case) Thank you for your time! CHUCK
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Followup To

Question -
I purchased nearly 3 years ago 9 Ilex Opaca's (4-5')(Satyr Hill) the 6 facing south and west are slow growers while the ones facing east and south are fast to very fast growing. I noticed that several of the now slow growing hollies facing south and west have thick mats of Maple tree roots inside the drip line under the mulch. There was a large maple which was cut down this year. Previous years did not indicate that this mat of roots was where it is today. Despite bi-annual mulching and fertilizing some of these plants are not thriving. My question is should I dig out all of the old Maple roots out? Additionally there is another mature maple around 40' from this particular plant. I also give periodic waterings to these Hollies. Thank you for your time! CHUCK

Answer -
Chuck,
I think that you will see the ones that were shaded out by the maple will start to pick up. Hollies thrive in full sun to partial shade.
The root system of the Maple is like a mat in the soil which is why it is difficult to grow anything under them. This combined with the shady conditions is probably why the Hollies were not doing well.
You could try to dig out some of the roots, but you could damage some of the roots from the hollies. These roots will eventually break down and provide nutrient for the hollies.
You may need to prvide extra water until they adjust to the improved conditions. Suppliment your fertilizer with a low nitrogen granular now to strengthen.
Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen

Answer
Chuck,
Does the flowering coincide with a late frost? It sounds like the plants are being damaged from low temps as they are emerging.
The only other thing that I can think of is Honeysuckle Aphids.
As far as diseases, leaf spot or lef blight normally effect only the leaves, not the flowers.
I would recommend dead heading the flowers and in the spring spray with horticultural soap and fungicide to protect them.
Good luck.
Ed Gullisken