#Blight on boxwoods how to#

There are several boxwood cultivars that are resistant to boxwood blight: Boxwood cultivars that are resistant to boxwood blight All that said, it might be easiest (and definitely less expensive) to remove the whole plant, including any soil touching the roots. Sanitize any tools that you use with a 1:9 bleach to water mixture and wash clothing that comes into contact with infected plants. Use this fungicide carefully according to directions, as it is toxic to fish. Reapply if it rains - the fungus thrives in warm, humid weather. You may be able to keep boxwood blight at bay on remaining unaffected foliage by spraying a chlorothalonil-containing fungicide every 7 to 14 days during the growing season when temperatures are above 60 degrees F. Double bag the trimmings and dispose of them in the trash, burn (where permitted), or bury them at least 2 feet deep in the ground. If the infection is in the early stages, cut off all affected branches and clean up debris off the ground. There is no cure, so you will need to either begin treatment if you have too many plants to lose or remove the entire plant.ĥ DIY fungus fighting recipes for the garden Spores can persist in the soil for up to 5 years, so even a new boxwood planted where an infected plant was removed can become diseased. How does boxwood blight spread?īoxwood blight is spread by contact with infected plants from nurseries, tools, clothing and even greens in holiday decorations, such as a wreath or center-piece. Sometimes this can be confused with volutella blight or winter burn a tissue test at a plant disease diagnostic clinic can confirm boxwood blight. As the disease spreads, foliage turns straw-colored, then falls off. The photos below show the progression of symptoms: First you’ll notice circular lesions with dark brown edges on the leaves and black streaking on the stems. We’ll walk through what to do about boxwood blight below, and don’t miss my lists of cultivars that are resistant and similar plants that make great boxwood replacements.īoxwood blight is caused by the pathogen Calonectria pseudonavicu-latum, and will also affect other shade-loving plants like sweet box and pachysandra.

#Blight on boxwoods how to#

You’re fighting boxwood blight in your garden or, like me, you want to know how to prevent the disease from infecting your garden, let me help. We haven’t seen this disease’s devastation in our Iowan test garden yet, but I need to plan how to fight it when it comes.

Gardeners who rely heavily on boxwoods are really struggling. Boxwood blight is a fungal disease spreading quickly across North America.