Boxwood Blight is a serious fungal disease of boxwood that results in defoliation and decline of susceptible boxwood. The disease was first identified in New Jersey in 2013. This is a persistent, destructive fungus that can quickly cause severe damage to one of the most common species of residential and commercial landscape plants.
We have prepared an in depth web page (scroll down) and 2 printable guides
Boxwood Blight Field Guide (2-Page PDF)
Boxwood Blight In-Depth Guide (8-Page PDF)
1) The Disease
Caused by the fungus Calonectria pseudonaviculata (https://nt.ars-grin.gov/taxadescriptions/factsheets/index.cfm?thisapp=Cylindrocladiumbuxicola). Common in England for 20 years it was first identified in the United States in 2011 and has now been found in 23 states. It affects boxwood, pachysandra and sarcococca varieties.
It is a fungus that requires warm moist weather to grow and infect plants. It lies dormant until temperatures reach 68 degrees or warmer, with high humidity, for several days. If these conditions are met it springs to life aggressively. Optimum growth occurs at 77 degrees. This disease becomes active in our area (Central New Jersey) in late May through late September if the right weather conditions are present.
The disease can advance very rapidly through a plant. If the proper conditions persist the plant can go from infection to defoliation in as little as 1 week.
The fungus starts slowing it’s growth at 80+ degrees, and dies when temperatures hit 87+ degrees or higher. However, ample spores left behind survive and mean a new generation of the fungus can quickly spring to life. Eliminating the fungus in infected plants is not possible, control in the soil is extremely difficult. This is a persistent, destructive fungus that can quickly cause severe damage to one of the most common species of residential and commercial landscape plants.
2) Identifying Damage
* Not all damage will look this severe nor be this present or prominent
3) How it Spreads
“Boxwood blight spores are splash-dispersed and can be carried by wind or wind-driven rain over short distances’. (Water either from rain or irrigation hits a leaf that is infected, which catapults spores from one leaf to the next, or to other plants that are within a few inches.This is why hedge plantings/group plantings of Boxwoodareparticularly susceptible to quick and widespread damage).
Longer distance spread is thought to occur through the activities of humans (e.g., contaminated boots, clothing, and equipment), animals, and birds, since the spores are sticky”.
Source: University Of Connecticut Agricultural Extension Center Guide
http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/plant_pathology_and_ecology/boxwood_blight-_a_new_disease_for_connecticut_and_the_u.s.__12-08-11.pdf
The regular activity of a landscape crew not only within a single property, but through an entire day, week andbeyond can impact the spread of this disease. One article pleaded that infected plants not be transported in the back of a truck unless they are bagged, for fear of wide spread dispersal of infecting spores. We suggest contractors think about these transmission issues.
- If we have a suspected case of Boxwood Blight do we have a plan?
- Do we spray with fungicides before removing all or part of the plant and all leaf debris? After?
- Does everyone working understand that tools (loppers, pruners, hand saws etc.) can spread the disease not only on this property but at properties later in the day or week?
- It is not just tools that can spread the spores (which are sticky). Clothes, shoes, wheelbarrow tires, etc. can all disperse spores.
- Does everyone have access to disinfectant spray bottles filled with a 5% bleach solution
(9 parts water, 1 part – bleach) or to avoid bleaching-out clothes or shoes Lysol concentrate (O-Benzyl-P-Chorophenol), Lysol spray (Ethanol), or Zerotol (Hydrogen Dioxide)
Does everyone understand the importance of spraying tools, gloves, shoes, etc. within a jobsite and before leaving?
4) Can I Spray To Prevent It Or Control It?
From our research, we believe the answer is a qualified Yes, but it is not 100% certain that even a perfectly executed spray program will prevent all infections. However, if you have a boxwood situation that is critical to a landscape and want to do your best to avoid infection, spraying could help. Keep in mind that any spray program calls for repeated fungicide applications (7 to 14-day intervals, according to product label) to susceptible boxwood throughout the growing season for the life of the boxwood plants.
Spraying Recommendations
Research on this issue produced an incomplete picture but some trends were clear.
- Fungicides cannot eradicate the disease from infected plants.
- Once the disease is on a property, even a perfectly executed fungicide spray program may not halt progression of the disease.
- Here are specific recommendations from a comprehensive guide published by Purdue
University’s Agricultural Extension Service (https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-203-W.pdf)
“You should apply fungicides when temperatures exceed 60°F and rainfall is expected.
For professional applicators in Indiana, effective products include a rotation of Daconil® (chlorothalonil) or Medallion® (fludioxonil). Other fungicides include
Heritage® (azoxystrobin), Pageant® (pyraclostrobinand boscalid), Compass® (trifloxystrobin), Torque® (tebuconazole), Cleary’s 3336® (thiophanate- methyl), and Spectrol 90WDG (Chlorothalonil). The Virginia Tech Boxwood Blight Task Force also lists these fungicides: Broad Spectrum Landscape & Garden Fungicide (Ferti-lome); Vegetable, Flower, Fruit and Ornamental Fungicide (Hi-Yield); Fung-onil (Bonide); Ortho Max Garden Disease Control or Ortho Diseease B Gon (Scotts)
(Sources: Purdue University in Indiana, Virginia Cooperative Extension, saundersbrothers.com)
You will need to apply fungicides every seven to 14 days to protect susceptible boxwood. More resistant varieties require fewer applications.”
- There is no cure for infected plants. The fungus cannot be eliminated from the plant, leaf droppings, mulch and soil.
- Infection does not absolutely kill all plants. It may modestly to severely damage a plant but it appears that some damaged plants can regrow to some degree. For example, damage may be in parts of a hedgerow, not every plant.
- The individual contractor has to make case by case decisions. If a client has an important Boxwood planting, preservation of damaged plant(s) may be a consideration.
5) How To Carefully & Safely Remove Diseased Plants
A) Be aware that removing diseased boxwood and leaf debris will not eradicate the boxwood blight pathogen from the location, since the pathogen produces long-lived survival structures that can persist in the soil for 5 to 6 years, possibly longer.
B) Remove diseased boxwood and leaf litter promptly.
- It is best to do cleanup on sunny dry days when sporulation is lessened. Consider using fungicides in advance of cleanup(spray in and around plant(s) to be removed).
- Remove the plant top/foliage first while taking care not to spread leaf litter. If possible place a garbage bag over the plant prior to removal.
- Remove leaf litter from soil surface by vacuuming, raking, or sweeping. If leaf debris has been incorporated into the soil, removing soil to a depth of 8” to 12” may help eliminate fungal inoculum of the pathogen. Diseased boxwood, leaf debris, and soil should be double bagged and removed to the landfill OR buried 2’ deep in soil away from boxwood plantings. Burning woody stems can also destroy the fungus, but may be illegal.
Do not compost boxwood debris or plant material
Research constantly states the importance of cleaning up leaf litter (dead or dying leaves that have dropped and littered the ground underneath the plant).
- Some recommendations suggest removing all similar boxwood species within 10 feet of the infected plant, to reduce the chance of spreading to a much larger area.
- Fungal spores will stick to tools, equipment, etc., sanitize all tools, equipment tarps, shoes, gloves, etc., used after removing plants to prevent spread of fungal inoculum to healthy boxwood. Use a 5% bleach solution or other recommended disinfectant (pour 1 part 5% liquid bleach and 9 parts water into a bucket or sprayer) to treat tools and equipment. To avoid bleaching-out clothes or shoes consider Lysol concentrate (O-Benzyl-P-Chorophenol), Lysol spray (Ethanol), or Zerotol (Hydrogen Dioxide).
- Dispose of bags in a landfill or bury 2’ deep.
Sources Virginia Cooperative Extension – Best Management Practices for Boxwood Blight in the Virginia Home Landscape https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/PPWS/PPWS-29/PPWS-29-pdf.pdf , Assorted other sources.
6) What To Replant
If a property has boxwood blight we recommend you strongly consider not planting boxwood of any variety on that property in the infected area.
There is no question that the evergreen habit, shapeable form, and deer resistance of Boxwood are hard to pull into a single plant. Here are some thoughts from a University Of Georgia article and our own recommendations on possible substitutes for boxwood.
Deer Resistant Substitutes:
- Osmanthus cultivars such as ‘Goshiki’, ‘Gulf Tide’
- Andromeda (Pieris) dwarf and upright varieties
- Ilex glabra cultivars include ‘Compacta’ and ‘Shamrock’
- Cephalotaxus cultivars include ‘Fastigiata’, Prostrata’ and ‘Duke Gardens’
- Japanese falsecypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) cultivars such as ‘Golden Mop’, ‘Filifera Aurea’
- Skimmia
- Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’
- Barberry cultivars include ‘Crimson Pygmy’, ‘Royal Burgundy’, ‘Rose Glow’
- Juniper cultivars include ‘Sea Green’, ‘Old Gold’, ‘Mint Julep’, ‘Gold Star’
- Hybrid Mountain laurel varieties
- Nandina ‘Domestica’, ‘Gulf Stream’ ‘Firepower
- Leucothoe cultivars such as fontanesiana, axillaris
Non Deer Resistant Substitutes:
- Taxus cultivars such as Densiformis, Hatfield, Hicksi, Repandens
- Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) cultivars such as ‘Compacta,’ ‘Green Luster,’ ‘Hoogendorn,’ ‘Helleri,’ ‘Steeds’, and ‘Chesapeake’
- Evergreen azaleas (Rhododendron sp.)
- Euonymus cultivars such as Silver King, Golden, Manhattan
- Ilex x meserveae cultivars include ‘Blue Maid’, ‘Blue Princess’, ‘Blue Prince’, ‘China Girl, ‘China Boy’
Sources: https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/C%201107_1.PDF.
* LP Statile recommendations mixed in
7) Design Considerations – Should You Continue to Use Boxwood?
Different boxwood species have different susceptibility to Boxwood Blight. You should strongly consider using the more resistant varieties or substitution plants in future designs. Susceptibility to Boxwood Blight is listed below from most susceptible to least.
Highly Susceptible To Boxwood Blight
- sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’
- sinica var. insularis ‘Justin Brouwers’
Susceptible
- sempervirens ‘American’ Buxus X ‘Glencoe’ (Chicagoland Green)
- sempervirens ‘Marginata’
- sempervirens ‘Elegantissima’
Moderately Susceptible
- sempervirens ‘Vardar Valley’
- microphylla var. japonica ‘Baby Gem’
- microphylla var. japonica ‘Baby Jade’ / Buxus X ‘Green Mountain’ / Buxus X ‘Green Velvet’
Moderately Resistant
- microphylla ‘Winter Gem’
- microphylla ‘John Baldwin’
- microphylla ‘Faulkner’
- sempervirens ‘Dee Runk’
- sempervirens ‘Fastigiata’ / Buxus ‘Green Gem’
Most Resistant (recommended for new plantings)
- microphylla ‘Golden Dream’
- sinica var. insularis ‘Nana’
- sinica var. insularis ‘Franklin’s Gem’
- microphylla var. japonica ‘Green Beauty’
8) Summary For Landscape Contractors
1. The disease is present in NJ and you are likely to see it in the near future if you haven’t already.
2. Circulate this or other documents to employees. You can print our 2 page field guide from this PDF and circulate amongst the staff. Everyone can benefit from knowing more.
3. Have a Boxwood Blight plan in effect. If you find it, what do you do?
4. If you believe you will spray make sure your license is up to date, that you understand a sample program, that you can source the fungicides, etc..
5. Have large garbage bags available to bag infected plants. Sample: product from Amazon (link)
6. Have spray bottles filled with 5% solution of bleach available (9 parts water/1 part bleach) for disinfecting tools. Use Lysol concentrate (O-Benzyl-P-Chorophenol), or Lysol spray (Ethanol) for clothing and shoes.
7. Use less susceptible varieties for future designs
8. Use alternative plants as replacements if needed, and also for future designs
9. Think through the revenue and cost issues of this disease. Losses may cost you. Inspection and preventative treatment services may produce revenue.
9) Links (listings may include personal comments about a source)
University & Government Web Sites
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (www.ct.gov/caes)
https://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/plant_pathology_and_ecology/boxwood_blight-_a_new_disease_for_connecticut_and_the_u.s.__07-20-12_r.pdf
*Awesome Guide – Deep, Great Pictures
Purdue University Extension Service
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-203-W.pdf
*Great article, great pictures,
Alternatives To Boxwood – University Of Georgia – PDF
https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/C%201107_1.PDF
*Developed for Georgia landscapes but a lot of plants that work well in NJ, PA, NY are included
State Of NJ – Boxwood Blight Cleanliness “Best Management Practices” (BMP’S) guidelines:
https://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/divisions/pi/pdf/BoxwoodBMP.pdf
Rutgers University – Plant Pest Advisory
https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/boxwood-blight-confirmed-in-new-jersey/
Virginia Tech • Virginia State University Best Management Practices for Boxwood Blight in the Virginia Home Landscape
https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/PPWS/PPWS-29/PPWS-29-pdf.pdf
*Great bulletin. Can be printed and given to NJ homeowners. 6 pages – packed with information
Labs & Extension Agent Locations
Cooperative Extension County Offices – List of County Agricultural Extension Agent locations
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/county/
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station – Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, North Brunswick, NJ
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/plant-diagnostic-lab/
Spanish Fact Sheet
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station – Comprehensive document in Spanish
http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/plant_pathology_and_ecology/caes_alerta_de_enfermedades_tizón_de_madera_de_boj_07-30-12_final.pdf
Science Web Sites
US National Library of Medicine – Boxwood blight: an ongoing threat to ornamental and native boxwood.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5932091/
*A good science article with deep links to current research.