Dear Customers and Friends,
Previous Updates:
Unprecedented weather causing plant stress (Sent 1/4/23)
Update: Unprecedented weather causing plant stress (Sent 4/5/23)
Winter Freeze Plant Update #2 (Specifically for Laurels) (Sent 4/20/23)
WINTER FREEZE PLANT UPDATE #3 (SPECIFICALLY FOR BOXWOODS)
We have been monitoring the condition of Boxwoods all spring. After removing deadwood from several hundred boxwoods, overall, we have observed fairly even and consistent new growth━ which is a positive sign. For healthy boxwoods we have been applying an annual systemic drench (a preventative fungicide, insecticide and miticide), making sure branches and leaves are not touching the ground (reduces chance of boxwood blight), removing dead wood (improves overall health), and watering (speeds up recovery). For those that don't look so healthy, here are three current options:
Continue to wait so both the plant can heal and reveal any more damage.
Actively cut boxwoods back to live wood. Boxwoods grow slow so filling in could take several years.
If more than approximately 40% of your boxwood is damaged, replacement should be considered.
My best advice is still to wait, but for those properties with upcoming events, in high profile locations, or owners and caretakers that simply must take action now, we can begin cutting back or removing and replacing.
Sources: Missouri Botanical Garden, Monrovia, Saunders Brothers
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
JS Gardening Team