This fungal disease is a death sentence for affected boxwoods in the Mid-Atlantic
From the historical landscapes of Colonial Williamsburg and the howling plantings of Longwood Gardens to countless home garden throughout the Mid - Atlantic , boxwoods ( Buxusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) have long been a go - to plant for hedges , accent , and foundation plantings throughout our neighborhood . However , a serious new threat has appeared within the last 10 — a devastating disease known as box blight .
This fungous disease , because of the organism presently eff asCalonectria pseudonaviculata , also attacks other boxwood - family plants , including sweet box ( Sarcococcaspp . and cvs . , Zones 6–9 ) and pachysandras ( Pachysandraspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) . plebeian symptoms let in dark , circular spots on the leave of absence and sinister streaks on the stems , progressing to browning leaves and unadulterated leaf drop . Affected plants may judge to resprout , but they will be seriously undermine and finally decease .
Once box blight is in your landscape painting , the spore can spread quickly , carried on pruning prick , gloves , and horseshoe , peculiarly in summer and fall . Certain fungicide nebuliser can help to protect healthy industrial plant , and disinfecting horticulture equipment and washing clothing can help to control the ranch if you retrieve any of your plants might be infected . Definite diagnosis of boxwood blight requires a science laboratory trial , because other gadfly and disease — as well as cultural problems , such as winter injury — can cause similar symptom . Your State Department ’s university extension service or section of agribusiness should be able-bodied to aid you see a laboratory or symptomatic clinic if you want a definite diagnosis . If you ’re sure you have it , though , you should remove and destroy the plant . The spores can live in the ground for five to 10 years , so it ’s best to not replant boxwoods in that spot .
The most steady-going way of coping with boxwood blight is avoiding it in the first place . Purchase Modern boxwood plants only from reputable source , such as those in Pennsylvania ’s Boxwood Clean Program or the national Boxwood Blight Cleanliness Program . Before you choose a particular variety of box , be cognisant that investigator have found that the species and cultivar vary in their resistance to the disease , and Modern tolerant or kind selection are coming on the market : NewGen Freedom ® (‘SB300 ’ ) and NewGen Independence ® (‘SB108 ’ ) are two object lesson . Another option is to choose a nonboxwood alternative for your landscape , such as Japanese Charles Hardin Holley ( Ilex crenata , Zones 5–9 ) or our native inkberry ( Ilex glabra , Zones 4–9 ) .
Because boxwood blight is a relatively recent growth in Mid - Atlantic landscapes , new information about the disease is continually being released , and states in our realm are working on mode of handling it . Pennsylvania , for good example , has a quarantine , and Virginia has a Boxwood Blight Task Force . Consider check with your state ’s department of agriculture to find out the current position of this disease in your specific area , as well as get up - to - date direction suggestions .
— Nancy J. Ondra is the author of over fifteen account book , includingGrasses , The Perennial Care Manual , andThe Perennial Matchmaker .
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Boxwood has its share of pest and disease problems, but many gardeners have been willing to overlook those because it has such dense, bushy growth and handsome evergreen foliage. But now boxwood blight is changing the stakes.Photo: Nancy J. Ondra
The disease is caused by a fungus that affects plants in the boxwood family.Photo: courtesy of North Carolina State University
The beginnings of boxwood blight can be recognized by leaves turning dark brown.Photo: courtesy of North Carolina State University
Think twice about buying holiday wreaths that contain boxwood trimmings, because their foliage can carry boxwood blight spores.Photo: Nancy J. Ondra
If you want to avoid boxwood blight altogether, consider planting a different evergreen shrub, such as glossy-leaved ‘Shamrock’ inkberry (Ilex glabra‘Shamrock’, Zones 4–9).Photo: Nancy J. Ondra
