Boxwood Blight: What Is It and How to Avoid It
Learn about this fungal plant disease
Boxwood blight is a fungal disease that damages the foliage and stems of plants in the boxwood family (Buxaceae), including sweetbox (Sarcococca) and Pachysandra as well as boxwood (Buxus). It causes infected plants to lose their leaves, which weakens them and can ultimately lead to their death. It also makes the shrubs—which are grown for their evergreen foliage and neat shape—unsightly.
The chief symptoms of boxwood blight is the appearance of tan or brown spots, often with a dark rim and a yellow halo, usually on both surfaces of a leaf. Black streaks, sometimes lined with white spores, appear on the stems. Leaf drop begins at the base of the plant and progresses upward—unlike in other boxwood problems, where defoliation initiates at the top of the plant.
Boxwood blight spreads easily and can persist in fallen leaves. The fungal spores are spread in water droplets. Aside from wind-driven rain, infected debris and diseased nursery stock, holiday décor that includes boxwood sprigs can bring boxwood blight into a garden. Check new boxwoods and greenery for symptoms, and consider quarantining susceptible plants before adding them to a landscape that’s home to healthy boxwood.
Image credit: Matt Borden/CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED/Flickr.com
