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I may be able to help - you will need to email me: anne@veddw.co.uk
Real help is probably illegal....
try using (Scotts Fungus Clear Ultra) i havent tried it personally.
This was mentioned on Gardeners world, this or last week and according to an RHS expert, there is no chemical treatment available that is effective. You can clip it out if on the surface or remove deseased branches back to healthy wood and with luck you will stop or slow its progress. However your second picture shows considerable damage so, rip out and start again with something different might be the better long term solution!
Many thanks guys. The RHS suggests that no proprietory fungicides are known to be effective but some commercial ones may be. I'm minded to change all hedging over to Ilex crenata but the client does have a c ouple of hundred metres to deal with so the cost implications are ....well....almost unthinkable!
Again, I appreciate the replies. All grist to the mill.
Dave
Dave,
The issue with Buxus sempervirens is serious, and getting worse.
We first came across this in 1998, with Buxus Topiary that was dying, through no real cause or cure.
Since then, and through receiving advice from some leading experts, DEFRA among others, so we can offer the following advice.
As Growers, we have DEFRA plant inspections at our Nursery, every 6 months. Defra have many powers to stop sales of plants, with "issues".
As Growers, on advice received, since 2003, we have not stocked Buxus sempervirens or even dreamed to have it on our Nursery, nor any other Buxus cultivars. Sure, we can get it in to order, but straight in, straight out!!! Ilex crenata has it's own other issues??? Will be happy to advise.
The absolute key to keeping Buxus now, is, to keep them clean.
This means, after clipping, leaf blowing away all dead, clipped foliage, for that is how the disease is borne, and carried.
More importantly, for your client, clean, clean and clean again. Then spray with a fungicide. This will not cure the problem, but may control it.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it is the honest answer.
I went to a client who had simular problem although prior to me they had a jack of trades do the garden and they told me he had hi them hard with a hedge cutter than pruning by hand. I was thinking this may have caused that problem espically along the top of the hedge like in pic 2? What would you guys think?
Dave and others
I have researched box blight as thoroughly as I can and attended the RHS conference last autumn. One thing is clear - no-one actually knows how it is spread.
I would also suggest people don't feed affected plants and I may be able to offer more help to anyone who wants to contact me about it.
T & S Plants said:
Again I'm hugely grateful for you guys sharing your experience.
I'm really interested in Steve’s response. I called Readyhedge who were the original suppliers and they said that they regularly sprayed for the disease and if they got anything that was too bad they disposed of it. Which indicated to me that they were probably shipping out infected plants and once fungicidal control was ceased (ie when they get into somebody’s garden) the disease would probably reassert itself. The tragedy of this is that plants are often going to a property where box already exists...
So some hard thinking to do now. The client runs a wedding venue so it’s vital that the plants look good for next year. I can’t see this being possible with the advice you’ve all provided so alternatives may have to be found. Steve, what are the issues surrounding Ilex crenata? I’ve also been offered Lonicera nitida but I think it’s one of the dullest plants out there so not keen on that. Any other suggestions gratefully received?
Best for now
Dave
I don't think that makes Readyhedge unusual - many nurseries would regard it as precautionary. But it has to help spread it I imagine.
I don't think there is a really good substitute really - but there was some small leaved shrub I saw used once and thought possible - what the hell would it have been???Hebe? If I remember I'll email. Ilex is so expensive apart from anything else, lonicera's new growth is ugly so need constant attention.
Dave Sewell said:
Timing of this post couldn't be better. Been asked by a new client to look at some poorly box plants they want to replace. My initial thoughts were focused on the drainage, they have irrigation put in but from what I can see the ground is very sodden and I know the bulk of the garden has a heavy clay element to it.
The client also said there was a period when the plants weren't watered and it was very dry. So possibly a combination of the two has damaged some of the box.
However, we also discussed blight, so I'be interested in what everyone thinks of the attached pictures.
many thanks
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