Boxwoods are a popular evergreen choice for hedges and foundation plantings, but they’re not without their challenges. From insect infestations to environmental stress and disease, maintaining healthy boxwoods takes knowledge and proper care. Below are some of the most common issues we see—and how to identify and manage them.
MITE & LEAFMINER DAMAGE ON BOXWOOD
Mite Damage
Boxwood mites feed on the undersides of leaves and are difficult to see. They overwinter as eggs on the underside of foliage, making early detection and treatment essential.
Signs of infestation include:
- Leaves appearing stippled with tiny white or yellow marks
- Defoliation in severe cases
- Worsened conditions during dry, dusty weather
Properly timed treatment applications are necessary to gain control of this pest, as they can produce as many as eight (8) generations per year. Without treatment, populations can quickly explode and stress the plant further.
Leafminer Damage
Boxwood leafminers feed inside the leaves, tunneling between the upper and lower layers of tissue after hatching from the pupal stage. Once they emerge as adults, they insert new eggs into the underside of leaves and repeat the cycle.
Symptoms of leafminer damage include:
- Yellow or brown spots and visible leaf blisters
- Premature leaf drop
- Leaves that appear smaller or yellowed
Over time, infested plants can become sparse, discolored, and suffer branch dieback. These insects can be controlled through properly timed spray applications or systemic insecticides applied by a professional.
WINTER BURN & BOXWOOD BLIGHT
Coming out of winter, many homeowners notice yellowing or browning on their boxwood shrubs. This condition is known as Winter Burn, and while alarming, it is not necessarily fatal.
Winter Burn can be managed with:
- Proper pruning and removal of damaged shoots
- Burlap wrapping in fall to prevent cold-weather injury
With care, many plants can recover fully by mid to late spring.
Winter Burn
BOXWOOD BLIGHT: KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
Another concern that may arise is Boxwood Blight, a more serious issue that some mistake for Winter Burn. Although the leaf spots from blight can initially resemble winter injury, Boxwood Blight behaves differently.
What sets it apart:
- Random browning across the shrub
- Spread continues until the entire plant is infected
- No known treatment exists to cure or prevent the disease
Because there is no cure for Boxwood Blight, early identification and removal of infected plants is the best way to protect your landscape.
Boxwood Blight
From pests like mites and leafminers to environmental stress and diseases like Boxwood Blight, these hardy evergreens can face several challenges. Fortunately, with early detection, proper pruning, and targeted treatment, many of these problems can be managed effectively.
If you’re unsure what’s affecting your boxwoods, contact Tree Green MD for a professional inspection and treatment plan tailored to your property.
