![]() The boxwood blight fungus, Calonectria pseudonaviculata, was first found in the U.S. Boxwood is a broad-leaved evergreen (leaves do not drop in winter) shrub and is sometimes used in decorative wreaths, which can be infected with the disease. Whichever approach you go for, Graham adds that tools and footwear should be cleaned afterward, to prevent spreading spores around your garden.Boxwood ( Buxus) is the primary host for boxwood blight, but also infects Pachysandra and sweet box ( Sarcococca). Just remember that a new box shouldn't be planted in the same place for a good while, as the RHS explains – spores can remain viable in the surroundings for at least six years. 'Box blight does not infect the roots and new shoots will appear.' John Negus, also a garden expert writing for Amateur Gardening, advises binning or burning the cuttings.Īlternatively, if you don't want the hassle of trying to save your box, or your attempts at cutting out infected areas seem to be in vain, you can simply dig it up for disposal. ![]() In the worst cases, you can cut the plants right back to ground level, he says. In more severe cases, you can cut back the shrubs by half, advises Graham Rice. If it's just an isolated area that's affected, you can simply cut this bit out, cleaning your tools well before and after. Cut out infected areasīox blight needs removing as soon as it's spotted, regardless of the time of year, as long as conditions are dry. (Image credit: blickwinkel/Alamy Stock Photo) Box blight treatment in 3 simple stepsĪlready spotted blight? You need these tips on box blight treatment. You will usually need to apply it a good few days before you get trimming, and then wait a few days before applying again – check your product's instructions. And, once you've trimmed your box, remember to clean up the clippings thoroughly (laying a tarpaulin down first will make this easier).Īs an extra safety measure, you may wish to apply a preventative fungicide before and after pruning, especially if you have had to deal with box blight in your backyard before. If you're using borrowed tools that have been used in another garden entirely, this step is imperative. In fact, it's a good idea to clean your tools between pruning box in different areas of the garden – this helps avoid the risk of accidentally spreading any undetected blight. It's also very important to ensure your best garden shears or best hedge trimmer are really sharp and clean. The start of summer is the time to give your box a trim, he adds. But, dry weather stops the spores of the fungus from being active, and leaves time for the wounds to scar over so they are less vulnerable to the disease. The cut leaves and stems are more susceptible to the box blight fungus when the wounds are fresh, he explains. When you do so, check the weather forecast, says Monty – you'll need a few days of dry weather to do this task. Monty Don revealed some top tips on caring for box hedges and topiary on his website, which will help prevent blight.īox needs clipping from time to time to keep it in shape. Trim your box shrubs at the right time, in the right way If you're using box for your landscaping with shrubs plans, then it's well worth knowing how to reduce the risk of box blight. (Image credit: christopher miles/Alamy Stock Photo) How to prevent box blight
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