The lace bugs are beginning to get the upper hand on the Koromo Shikibu, only on its second year in the ground from the rooted cutting Bobert gave me. I'm concerned that using either neem oil or insecticidal soap in this heat would do more damage than the bugs. I think I'm gonna start blasting it hard with a spray of water a couple of times a day in hopes of at least slowing them down a little until the temps drop. I have also started irrigating it more heavily to reduce stress and decrease its vulnerability until I can start spraying again.
The last time I sprayed neem oil was two weeks ago. I wasn't careful enough and got some neem oil on the leaves of a potted hydrangea arborescens given to me late last winter by a friend who is devoted to native plants. The plant will survive it, but where the neem hit the leaves they have turned dark brown and brittle. I had moved an unknown cultivar of h. arborescens with me. It is probably, but not certainly "Annabelle." The leaves on the potted speciman are somewhat narrower, but the bloom is quite showy. Still haven't absloutely decided if the potted hydrangea is is the species or a selection in cultivation.