Help maintaining buxus topiary

thejinkazama

Hello,

We purchased a couple of topiary buxus pyramid trees and put them in planters at the front door last week. Already, they have some brown patches (see photos). All I have done so far is water them regularly, what am I missing?

Thanks

BikingBud

Blight or moths are the 2 worst threats:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/disease/box-blight
https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/box-tree-caterpillar

Dustyevsky

You’ve not missed anything, except perhaps research into easier and more robust alternatives. Also, we have no idea what kind of nursery the plants came from, and that could make a difference to the chance of avoiding issues. As the RHS says, on some nurseries blight may be contained by fungicidal washes from time to time, but that won't eradicate the problem.

I'd suggest, keeping a photo diary, so if this progresses into full-blown blight you have a clear record to back any claim against the supplier. Otherwise, heed the cultivation hits already given and hope the plant settles down after the shock of being planted in a new environment.

twopenny

I don't think it's anything as serious as that.

If you look at the photo the mis coloured leaves are just below where the twigs have been cut.

I''d suggest that it's just that. cut too close to present for sale

The end of the twigs are also ragged so it's been done with something blunt or an electric hedge trimmer and that's caused lack of water up the stem. And if this was done in a hot spell it would cause the twigs to suffer.

If you pull off the dead leaves, put the dead leaves in a bag and dispose (jut in case) I think it will recover fine.

Also check the soil it was originally in. I had two in something that was almost sand at the end of lockdown and the roots dried out.

If they are in John Innes No 3 compost with crocks over the drainage holes they should recover well.

Don't water too much. They don't thrive in wet soil. I would only do it once a week in very hot weather. Otherwise every 2 or 3 until autumn then leave them as they will be dormant in winter.

They do well in tough conditions once established.

But yes, if you paid a hefty price from a garden centre then keep photos just in case.

I have dwarf box hedging, box balls and a pyramid. They take a while to get going but are easy after that.

I had white fly all over this spring but a couple of small birds sorted that.

I do occasionally have a box catterpillar nibbling patches. A heavy spray with water or bug spray in the evening and they are fine.

Miser1964

I use TOPBUXUS HEALTH-MIX - Stops and Prevents Box Blight - 200g for 100m2 Boxwood : Amazon.co.uk: Garden which so far has worked OK

[Deleted User]

Site, location, aspect ....... they don't like to be in an exposed position as they suffer windburn then.

By your wall/house/ etc they'll require copious watering, especially in their first year, the wall will shelter it from a certain amount of rain so you needing to water it more often.
Some frontages can be windy, so be particular about all this too.

Also, check the size of the pot/planter and size up every other year, the plants roots need to be able to breathe and thrive, starting a plant that size in something under an 18" planter won't get it off to a great start.
Don't overlook the winter planter subject, plants roots will be exposed to the cold as it's not in the ground and protected, the concrete/clay planter can be frost-prone, and again it's roots can suffer.

Under, or over, watering it will cause die back, as will lack of nutrient. 

Buxus (Box) positioned, in planters, along the fronts of houses look nice for several months and then, due to needs not met, they fade away to nothing.
It's less about pests and more about the requirements.

twopenny

Just to say that my one although repotted in good compost has a smaller amount of the same look. They do clip them very tight for shape and it's mass production so no care taken.
They are also slow growers so don't get impatient and trim with scissors more gently to keep the shape.

When it does start to put out new shoots let them be, don't rush to cut them off. You can nip out the growing tips only to encourage side shoots.
Allow it to thrive.

I had mine in pots for 3 yrs but it was increasingly hard to keep them looking healthy.
I put them in the ground last spring and they are much healthier.
They survive blistering sun at the back and wind at the front - but they need some tlc to start.

Eldi_Dos

@thejinkazama
What where the rootballs of the plants like when you moved them into the new planters and do the planters have drainage holes.It is all too easy to overwater plants if the container does not have drainage.