Breaking the mould
Don’t hedge your bets on hygiene if you want to keep box blight out of your garden, writes
Box blight is a disease that has been tormenting gardens and gardeners for decades. It’s unpleasant and virtually impossible to eradicate, but the battle goes on. Box blight doesn’t kill the roots of box plants and, in theory, hedges and specimen plants infected with the fungus could recover if they are cut back to encourage new growth. Unfortunately, this fresh foliage could also become infected.
So, how does the fungus spread through a garden? The answer is probably because we don’t think enough about garden hygiene. The coronavirus pandemic has emphasised the need for cleanliness – the same should apply in the garden
The fungus survives in infected leaves, and spores can remain on prunings for several years. When you are pruning, cover the ground beneath plants to catch all the clippings. Bag them – don’t compost them. Also, lay down a tarpaulin or sheeting before clipping, to make clearing up leaves and debris easier.
Remove dislodged leaves and other debris from the canopy after cutting back.
Clear away as many fallen leaves from under and around the plants as possible (even a few remaining leaves can lead to new infections).
Remove a layer of soil under the plants to get rid of infected leaf fragments. Replace with fresh soil and also apply a mulch.
Clean shears and secateurs – many an older gardener is more likely to recommend wiping blades with diluted bleach. And make sure boots/shoes aren’t carrying mud and debris around beds and borders, thus spreading the infection.
Alternatively, do what several stately homes have done in recent years – get rid of box and grow something else.