Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

What’s wrong with my box shrub?

samantha.elaine.jonessamantha.elaine.jones Posts: 11
in Problem solving
Hello all! I’m very new to gardening so learning by trial and error, but wondered if my one can help with what’s afflicting my box shrub and if it’s something I can solve? The tips of some leaves are yellowing (I have included a picture) but want to save if I can. 
«1

Posts

  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Well it's not the dreaded Box Tree Caterpillar.  It could be Blight, or perhaps under-watering or lack of nutrition.  Some others on the forum will probably be able to identify which.
  • samantha.elaine.jonessamantha.elaine.jones Posts: 11
    Thank you - if it’s under watering hopefully all this rain will help!
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Most likely environmental stress. More apparent in pot grown shrubs.

    Inconsistent watering to harsh winds and swing in temperatures can see them turn bronze to yellow. Especially at the tips. 

    But once conditions improve they go back green. Make sure they get water into the roots. Rain will not be sufficient to wet the soil due to pot size and evergreen rain shadow.
  • samantha.elaine.jonessamantha.elaine.jones Posts: 11
    thank you 😊
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    edited April 2020
    I have / had exactly the same with two potted plants ‘guarding’ the front door. One I gave up on and the other is hanging in there. It has new growth but some continual dying off. I asked the same question with pics last year but didn’t get much response so interesting to see the comments here. 

  • samantha.elaine.jonessamantha.elaine.jones Posts: 11
    Let’s hope we can salvage them! 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    The browning tips look like ones that have been cut in half - have you used an electric trimmer on them or pruned them with secateurs lately? This often makes the leaves die off like that. It's better, although more tedious, to prune them carefully near to a pair of leaves, i.e. cut through the stem, not the leaves. Either that or they've been caught by a cold wind, a hard frost or just need feeding - they are very greedy plants, especially in a container. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    samantha.elaine.jones said:
    Let’s hope we can salvage them! 
    Upon looking at the pics again I think we are suffering from two different issues there but, yes, fingers crossed for a recovery. 
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    If yours survived another year it can't be that bad @Dave Humby looking at your pictures those pots look quite small for the size of the box...also hope you're not in the South East. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I was wondering if they'd been clipped and a frost or cold wind has got into the cut edges. The tradition is not to cut box until Derby day (early June).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Sign In or Register to comment.