About Vito Nettis Expertise I have a Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture and garden in the northeast. I have extensive knowledge of the care, siting and cultural requirements of a great many hardy and semi-hardy shrubs. I can help you identify and/or offer suggestions for specific shrubs for your area.
Question Vito, I have an English Boxwood in my front yard that has a problem. The leaves are beggining to yellow and die. This condition has spread to about 1/2 of the plant. I've looked on the internet, and I think this problem is called "English Boxwood Decline". I read that "English Boxwood Decline" is a fungus that is preys on plants weakened by drought. Our sprinkler system was broken toward the end of last summer, and I'm afraid my wife and I neglected to water our shrubs for a while. Is there anything that can be done to save this plant? Can we keep this condition from spreading to the other boxwoods? I read that if a plant is killed by this condition, you should not replant another English Boxwood in it's place. Is that true? I hope we haven't killed it! Please help.
Thanks,
Clayte Sheppard
Answer Hi Clayte,
Boxwood suffers from a multitude of problems so it's difficult to specifically pinpoint yours. Boxwood suffers from root rot in poorly drained soils, this could be your problem as well.I would remove the diseased plant, it will never look good again and will likely die outright in time. I would not plant another boxwood in the area for at least one growing season just to make sure. Unfortunately there is no spray or fertilizer that will cure your problem.
