Boxwood Blight Boxwoods are one of the most common shrubs used in Novi landscaping. It is almost a guarantee that you come into contact with the popular plant on a daily basis. For example, if you’ve ever taken a walk in your neighborhood, you’ve likely seen boxwood.

Boxwood is a staple of Novi landscaping; however, this plant is in danger, and it affects you in more ways than one. Why is boxwood in danger? One of the answers to that question is boxwood blight. Boxwood blight is a deadly and persistent fungal infection that is ripping through Michigan’s boxwoods. What does boxwood blight look like? One of the first symptoms of a boxwood blight infection is rapid defoliation, which means the plants drop its leaves seemingly all at once.

In the early stages of infection, you might notice some spots forming on the leaves of the plant. Blight spots are typically flakey and brown with a darker boarder, sometimes accompanied by a yellow halo around the spot. These spots get larger until the leave will turn straw like and drop to the ground. The stems of the plant may also have long black lesions that continue to creep down and through the stems How does it spread? The blight spreads rapidly. First recorded within the UK in 1994, the blight has crossed the pond and is now found within 28 states and some parts of Canada. The fungus is spread through spores that can attach to almost anything. Including and not limited to: plant material, pruning tools, shipping containers, wind, clothes, animals, vehicles, rain, infected soil--you name it.

If it comes into contact with an infected plant, it can carry the spore. Not only does the blight spread like wildfire, but the spores can persist on plant debris and below the soil surface for up to five years. Why you should care It can cost thousands of dollars in the long run. We know that boxwood is one of the most popular shrubs used in landscaping within in the city of Novi, and boxwood blight kills boxwood rapidly. We also know that each year people and businesses invest thousands of dollars in maintaining visually pleasing outdoor areas. The blight kills the boxwood plants on display, it leaves dried up, dead, depressing-looking shrubs behind. Those thousands of dollars spent on maintenance are lost and return on investment is minimal, not including labor to remove and replace the shrubs.

Unsightly landscaping outside of homes can also depreciate property value. What are the treatment options? Unfortunately, there is no current treatment option for plants infected with boxwood blight. What to do if you have an infection? Immediately remove and destroy all infected plants or plant material by double bagging the infected plant matter and disposing of it in a landfill. Priority Waste does not normally accept plant material in garbage bags, but per the State of Michigan’s law regarding invasive plant disposal, they will take plants infected with invasive pathogens or infested with invasive pests to help limit the spread. Remember that the easiest way to combat boxwood blight is to make sure that it never happens in the first place. Closely monitoring your plants for signs of infection, avoiding overhead watering, and pruning with sanitized tools when it is dry, are all easy and proactive ways to keep your plants happy and healthy Your boxwood plants have succumbed to the blight, now what? While it is normal to feel dejected about all of your boxwood dying and leaving you with an empty lawn (and heart), it does offer a good opportunity to rejuvenate your landscape. Planting native species where your boxwood perished is the best course of action. There are endless benefits to planting native species in your lawn. They are easier to maintain, as they are adapted to the environment already, they have a lower maintenance cost over time, they support pollinators like butterflies and bees, and they won’t die suddenly of boxwood blight. If you are in the market for new plants, Michigan State University has compiled a wonderful list of native shrubs!

This list includes the plants size, colors, and requirements for it to thrive. Native plants for Michigan landscapes: Part 2 - Shrubs - MSU Extension Boxwood blight is scary, but preventable. Remember that being proactive and staying vigilant against the spread of the blight is the best way to keep your lawn and neighborhood safe and beautiful.

Click here for the article