"Ed Christie" wrote in message
...
We have an outdoor gardenia that has these little white bugs,
trapizodial in shape all over the leaves. The black residue will come
off if you scrape it . The new growth doesn't have the buga or the
residue. he residue comes off in pieces, lake paint that is no longer
adhering to the wood. Any help would be appreciated

Sounds like scale. The black stuff is bug poop, also called sooty mold. All
gardenias get it. Try some soapy water and garlic juice.