Boxwood is a popular and versatile garden tree. Unfortunately, the evergreen plant is also quite susceptible to care errors or incorrect supply of water or fertilizer. If the leaves and shoots turn brown so that the bush appears dry, quick help is needed.
What to do if boxwood is dry and brown?
If a boxwood becomes dry and brown, it may be due to a lack of nutrients, lack of water or fungal diseases. This can be remedied by fertilizing with nitrogen, sufficient watering and, if necessary, cutting back heavily into he althy wood.
Dry shoots and leaves have many causes
Dry, brown leaves do not always indicate fungal or pest infestation. Sometimes the cause is an insufficient supply of nutrients and moisture.
Nutrient Deficiency
Yellow-brown leaves with browned leaf tips are a clear indication of a nitrogen deficiency, which often occurs, especially on sandy soils. These soils are generally poor in nutrients and therefore require particular attention when fertilizing. If you don't act quickly at the first signs, the box will die - it will practically starve. Fertilize the book with nitrogen-rich horn shavings (€32.00 on Amazon), of which you would need to plan around 30 to 40 grams per square meter. Instead, you can also use a fast-acting, liquid nitrogen fertilizer from a specialist retailer. In addition, you can spray the box with self-prepared and diluted nettle manure (add rock dust to it!). This not only provides the plant with valuable nutrients, but also has a preventive effect against fungi and pests.
Water shortage
Yellow or brown leaves and a generally dried-out appearance can also indicate a lack of water, which can mainly occur during frosty and dry winter months. In this case, the appearance appears in spring, and the affected box often does not develop any new shoots. To save the plant, you should now proceed as follows:
- Cut the box back heavily, if possible down to the he althy wood.
- Make this cut as early as possible.
- A frost-free, mild day in March or April is well suited.
- Ensure an adequate water supply.
- Mulch the soil area to retain moisture.
- Fertilize the boxwood with compost and horn shavings.
Fungal disease
However, the harmful fungus Cylindrocladium buxicola, which is responsible for boxwood shoot death, can also be to blame for the dry appearance of the boxwood. Try to rescue as described in the event of a lack of water, at least with a slight infestation this is often still possible. In many cases, however, the only option left is to clear the affected plant.
Tip
Never throw infected cuttings into the compost, but sweep them up carefully and dispose of them with household waste. Otherwise the Buchs will get infected again and again.