Total Beginner Help! Buxus Sempervirens

Hi All,

In the first lockdown I decided to get my garden in order and build a raised bed across the back. In there I have planted a number of Box Plants evenly spaced. After the first year they seemed to be doing really well. Lots of new shoots and had to be trimmed back. However as I move into the second year all of the bushes, some much worse than others, have started to die. I've done some research on Box Blight and Boxwood Psyllid but can't seem to put my finger on what it is.....Has anyone else seen this or can identify what is causing the issue! It would be such a shame to have to destroy all 7 bushes I have! Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

It's the box caterpillar.
It's not blight IMO.
My box all looks the same and I have sprayed it once this year all ready as I found some of them a few days ago.

 

@Dan Fleming
1) whereabouts are you in the UK?
2) Have you had much rain this spring?
3) Cold winds and sunshine?
Box can suffer from scorching of young growth in dry conditions, cold wind and sunshine.
A number of my shrups and shoots have been suffering this spring.

 

@pete Thanks I didn't think it was Box Blight as there was those white spurs on top of the leaves plus there was a fair bit of web. I will have a look into the Box Caterpillar....

@NigelJ I'm near Manchester, we have had a fair bit of rain but not anymore than usual. In regards to the cold winds that could be an issue but sunshine wouldn't as it's fairly well shaded from long period in the sun.

 

The new growth is coming through ok but the Caterpillars will have over wintered on the plants and will soon be emerging as moths and the cycle will start again if you don't break it some how.

 

@pete thanks I'll look into get this sorted somehow. They look terrible at the moment!