Struggling with box blight in your hedges or borders? Or maybe you’ve seen it breaking out in neighborhood gardens and are looking for precautionary measures to prevent it. It’s sad for the average gardener, but luckily there are some ways to keep your plot free of this fungal disease.
Many people learn how to grow boxwood as part of their Garden designAnd for good reason. Evergreen shrubs are suitable for low hedging that can separate different zones without obstructing views through space. It is also suitable for topiary, as it is dense with small glossy leaves and can be clipped into a whole host of shapes. It also thrives in sun or shade.
Box blight, however, can spoil the timeless look of these shrubs by creating unsightly dead patches. But, there are ways to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. And if you already have an infection, there are things you can do to combat the spread.
How to identify box blight
First things first – if you have box blight in your garden you will need to know how to detect it. The sooner you catch it, the less damage it can do.
A ‘dead patch’ is a classic appearance of box blight, explains Graham RiceGardening expert and published author. “Branches die back and bare patches appear, creating unsightly, dead areas in your hedge or topiary. It attacks small topiaries and dwarf hedges more than large specimen plants or tall hedges.
“Box blight can spread quickly, especially in wet weather,” he warns, “and the first sign is the leaves turning brown and falling off. Also check the stems, as black streaks often appear on the smaller ones,” says Graham.
Graham Rice is a gardening expert, photographer, consultant and author. He has published more than 20 books on the subject and regularly appears in the media.
How to prevent box blight
However you’re using boxes in your garden, be that as it may Plants for garden investigation Or to brush up on your topiary skills, then it’s worth knowing how to reduce the risk of box blight.
1. Trim your box bushes properly, at the right time
Monty Don reveals some top tips on caring for box hedges and topiary on it websiteWhich will help prevent fungus.
The box needs clipping from time to time to keep it in shape. When you do, check the weather forecast, Monty says—you’ll need a few days of dry weather to make this work. Cut leaves and stems are more susceptible to the box blight fungus when the wounds are fresh, he explains. But, dry weather prevents fungal spores from becoming active, and leaves time for wounds to scar so they are less susceptible to disease. Early summer is the time to trim your box, he adds.
Don’t forget, though, that if you’re using a box for a hedge, you’ll also need to check The best time to cut a hedgeBecause there are rules and regulations to protect wildlife and birds in your garden.
It is also very important to ensure your garden shears or Hedge trimmer really is sharp and clean. In fact, it’s a good idea to clean your tools between pruning boxes in different areas of the garden – this helps avoid the risk of accidentally spreading any undetected blight. If you are using borrowed tools that have been completely used in another garden, this step is imperative. And, once you’ve trimmed your box, remember to clean up the clippings thoroughly (laying the tarp down first will make this easier).
As an added safety measure, you may want to apply a preventative fungicide before and after pruning, especially if you’ve had box blight in your garden before. You will usually need to apply it a few days before you start trimming, and then wait a few days before reapplying – check the product instructions.
Buy these tools to keep your box plants in good condition
Spear and Jackson
Spear and Jackson 7159bs RazorSharp Advantage Bypass Secateurs
With a high carbon steel blade for extra sharp cutting, the ergonomic handle on these secateurs also makes them comfortable to use.
Merit
Ansio Tarpaulin 3m X 4m Water-Resistant Tarp
Collect any box cuttings in the tarpaulin and make sure you clean the tarpaulin thoroughly after disposing of it.
Advancing
Agralan Citrox is a ready to use natural citrus pesticide concentrate
Keep your garden tools and work areas clean by using this solution once you’re done mowing
2. Provide plenty of ventilation where possible
Box blight thrives in shady, moist conditions and spreads quickly. So, make sure there is good air circulation around your plants – this will help them dry out quickly after rain. If your box your Cottage garden ideasThis means keeping an eye on nearby perennials, making sure they don’t start crowding your shrub.
When it comes to watering plants, a Drip irrigation system Better to use an ‘overhead’ approach instead as this will prevent the leaves from getting wet.
This RHS Recommend adding soft Green grass Even under your box. This will prevent rain from splashing onto the leaves and potentially spreading box blight spores. Refresh the mulch occasionally, to keep it disease-free.
Compost King – Decorative Chipped Bark Mulch – 50 Liter Bag
Using a mulch like this ornamental bark mulch around the base of your box plants will help them retain moisture and prevent the spread of box blight spores.
3. Quarantine the new plant
Box blight can enter your garden through new plants. Because of this, the RHS advises that any commercially sourced plants are isolated for at least four weeks before planting, so you can ensure they are disease-free.
As he explains, some nurseries may use fungicides that suppress, but do not kill, the fungus. Isolating plants will give you enough time to check for box blight.
Don’t forget, you can also take cuttings from boxes and grow new plants. If you take it from a healthy, blight-free plant you already have in your garden, there will be much less risk than bringing in a new plant from somewhere else.
Box blight treatment in 3 easy steps
Blight already visible? These are the tips you need for box blight treatment.
1. Cut out the infected areas
Box blight needs to be removed as soon as it appears, regardless of the time of year, as long as conditions are dry.
You have a few options. If it’s just an isolated area that’s affected, you can easily cut this off by cleaning your tools thoroughly before and after. Graham Rice advises that in more severe cases, you can cut the bushes in half. In the worst cases, you can cut the plant back to ground level, he says. “Box blight does not infect the roots and new shoots will appear.”
Alternatively, if you don’t want the hassle of trying to save your box, or your efforts to cut out infected areas seem futile, you can simply dig them up for disposal. Just remember that new boxes shouldn’t be planted in the same spot for a while, as spores can remain viable in the surrounding area for at least six years, according to the RHS.
Whichever approach you take, Graham adds that tools and footwear should be cleaned afterwards to prevent spreading spores around your garden.
2. Apply fungicide
Along with cutting back your infected box plants, it’s a good idea to use a fungicide. This can be done both before and after.
Spray cut back plants with such a product Provento Fungus Fighter Plus from AmazonWhich will help prevent the spread of the disease.
Fertilizing plants can really help them bounce back, and boxes are no exception. Apply sulfate of potash monthly from mid-spring to early fall as you spray the root zone and water.
3. Watch for further infections
Because this fungal disease can spread quickly, it’s important to monitor your plants even after box blight treatment. Unfortunately, it often recurs in places where it was before, so be vigilant and be prepared to re-treat where necessary.
What are some good alternatives to boxes?
If you’re looking for a box option for your garden, you might be interested in giving it a try RHS Garden Wisley is carried out.
That resulted in some top recommendations, including common yew ‘Repandens’, Pittosporum ‘Collaig Silver’, Lonicera nitida ‘Meigrun’ (which has the advantage of box-like leaves), and Berberis darwinii ‘Compacta’.
Other shrubs that make good swaps include Eunymus fortunii, Ilex crenata and Pitosporum ‘Golf Ball’. “Most succeed as medium to tall hedges better than being pruned regularly to keep them dwarf,” advises Graham Rice.
Alternatively, if faster coverage is your goal, check out Best plants for fast growing hedges.
Shop the box options
Lonicera Maigrun – Maigrun
This shrub has similar looking leaves and a box structure
Euonymus Fortunei Emerald Gaiety
A similar shrub for the box with beautiful variegated foliage that lasts all year round
Of course, planting a hedge is not the only way to create a garden border. Take a look at how to determine that A hedge or fence Right for you, and if you end up choosing a hedge, make sure you understand How high can you raise your hedge? When you have neighbors.
The original version of this article previously appeared on Gardeningetc, a sister website to Homebuilding and Renovating.
