These two boxwood diseases must be handled differently

Get It Growing

Boxwoods are among the most common evergreen shrubs you’ll find in Louisiana landscapes, and that’s because these plants were once considered foolproof. Sadly, in recent years, many boxwoods have fallen victim to disease problems.

You may have heard of boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata). While this disease is certainly troublesome for boxwoods, it has yet to be detected in Louisiana. Sometimes when people here refer to boxwood blight, they actually are talking about a couple of other diseases that are more prevalent in our state: boxwood dieback (Colletotrichum theobromicola) and Phytophthora crown and root rot (Phytophthora spp.).