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trolling boxwood diseases in the home landscape. To help prevent diseases, use recommended cultural practices usch as providing water when necessary; avoiding over-watering or excessive fertilizing; and thinning shrubs to allow better air circulation.
To prevent winter injury, make sure sufficient soil moisture is available during the fall. To conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature, cause organic mulch such as wood chips is also benficial.
For plants that are declining or have blighted stems and foliage, pruning is in order. Prune dead stems back to healthy tissue. Disinfect pruning shears frequently in household bleach dilutes 1:9 with water. When the job is finished, bleach should be washed thoroughly from tools to prevent rusting. Have the soil tested for nutrients and fertilize as recommended.
Many factors can cause poor health in boxwoods and typically more than one factor will be involved at any given time. Weather conditions, especially severe winter temperatures and drying winds, can cause leaves to brown and twigs to die back. Extemely cold temperatures, when there is no snow cover, can even kill plants.
Don’t Use Same Site After
Diseased Boxwood Removed
If boxwoods have died and boxwood decline disease is confirmed, do not plant English boxwood in the same site. American boxwood can be used as a replacement as it is resistant to decline. But if Phytophthora root rot is confirmed, the site should be avoided for future boxwood plantings or modified to improve drainage. Fungicides are available to protect certain plants from Phytophthora root rot, however, they will not cure the disease.
(Dr. Diane Relf is a horticulture specialist with Virginia Cooperative Extension and is a member of the faculty of Virginia Tech.)
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