MYRTLE RUST TIP FOR GARDENERS

Myrtle rust is now fairly widespread throughout the country, threatening plants in the Myrtaceae family, including some iconic native plants, exotic ornamentals and a few fruiting ones. Some popular hedge plants, like lillypilly (and other Syzygium species) and Lophomyrtus cultivars like ‘Red Dragon’ are susceptible to myrtle rust, a disease caused by the fungus Austropuccinia psidii, which has been damaging and killing plants in the bush and in our gardens since it arrived here in 2017.

Doctors Renee Johansen (Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research) and Robert Beresford (Plant & Food Research) work in a programme, ‘Beyond Myrtle Rust’, and are spreading the message about ways we can help slow the progression of this disease. Myrtle rust affects tender new growth, and research shows that infection is less likely in cold conditions or when it is hot and dry. So their advice is, prune these hedges and any other myrtle rustsusceptible plants in winter from June to August, and don’t touch them again until there’s a decent spell of dry weather in January to February.