If the boxwood is healthy, it shows its shiny, green and dense foliage all year round. However, if brown spots suddenly appear or the bush seems to be drying up, the cause should be investigated as soon as possible. In many cases it is just a matter of care mistakes, but sometimes there is also a fungal disease or pest infestation behind it.
Mistakes in care or diseases are behind it if the boxwood looks dried up
Many possible causes of dry and brown leaves
Many people immediately think of hard-to-control fungi or stubborn pests when they see brown leaves on their boxwood. Fortunately, it is not always so dramatic, because simple care mistakes are often behind the dried shoots. Once this cause has been identified, it can be quickly remedied and the box can sprout fresh and green again, of course after vigorous pruning of the dry parts of the plant. Cylindrocladium buxicola or even the notorious box tree moth, on the other hand, is not so easy to drive away.
care mistakes
After a frosty winter, the boxwood often looks like it has dried up. The reason for this is a lack of water, because the plant could not absorb enough water through the roots in the frozen ground. Frost and a very sunny location are also a bad combination: The sun increases the water requirements of the shrub, which, however, cannot cover them due to the frost. Incidentally, the frost and drought damage does not show up immediately, but usually only during the budding in spring. Furthermore, a lack of water can also occur during dry periods in spring or summer if there is not enough watering.
fungal diseases
The sac fungus Cylindrocladium buxicola causes the so-called boxwood dieback, in which the affected bushes look brown and dried out. But other fungi also cause the shoots to die off:
- Fusarium buxicola: causes boxwood wilt, v. a. in very old box trees
- Boxwood canker: often occurs as a result of drought stress or nutrient deficiency
- Puccinia buxi (box tree rust): rather rare, but no less dangerous than the other diseases
In all cases, the only thing that helps is an immediate, strong cut back into the healthy wood and the removal of the top layer of soil. The harmful fungi can survive here for years.
pests
In addition to the notorious box tree moth, there are other pests that prefer box trees. Their damage symptoms often make infested plants appear as if they have dried up:
- Boxwood spider mite: prefers dry and warm locations during hot summers
- Boxwood midge: Larvae are eaten by songbirds
When it comes to pests, it's better to be safe than sorry. Reduce the likelihood of an infestation through optimal care and an airy location that is not too warm.
tips
In addition to an insufficient supply of nutrients, over-fertilization can also have serious consequences, leading to a weakening of the plant. As a result, it is more susceptible to disease and pest infestation.