Spring is here and it feels good! With spring comes new beginnings in the garden. This is an exciting time of the year to be a gardener. With spring also comes the threat of diseases. Back in December of 2021, I wrote an article about Boxwood blight. Well, Boxwood blight is back!
After hearing from Lisa Lawhead, the new Plant Inspector for Shelby County, Boxwood blight has now been confirmed at a local wholesale nursery in Memphis and at a garden center in Jackson, TN. Lisa is also working on another case that is going to have positive results at a landscaper’s holding yard in Memphis.
Homeowners may be the next to see Boxwood blight in their landscape. Management strategies are going to be key to controlling Boxwood blight. Early diagnosis
and scouting are critical for the avoidance of boxwood blightspread. The pathogen is able to infect all growth stages of boxwood plants. This fungus can rapidly spread over a short distance and defoliate most of the plants in the Boxwood family. Warm, humid and shady conditions favor the development of this disease.
The pathogen is spread by irrigation water, plant debris,
contaminated tools and equipment, animals, workers, and
wind. After the pathogen is spread, reddish-brown
concentric spots with tan to light brown centers will be visible
on infected leaves. Brown to black lesions can be found on
stems from the base to the shoot tip. The leaves will turn
brown, and defoliation will begin.
It is strongly suggested to sanitize equipment, tools, clothes,
shoes, hands, vehicle, etc. when handling boxwood. Remove
infected plant material and eliminate leaf debris. Applying
mulch can reduce the risk of spores slashing onto lower
leaves. Using a preventive fungicide is an option. Please be vigilant and inspect the boxwood in your landscape. Let’s get a handle on this disease before it becomes a major problem. If you have any questions about Boxwood blight, please give me a call at 901-752-1207. I am happy to assist you!
Photo Credits: Univ. of West Virginia; University of Connecticut-Sharon M Douglas; and University
of Georgia
