Buxus Blight: Signs, treatment and solutions
If you have Buxus (Box hedge) plants in your Waikato garden, you may have heard whispers - or perhaps experienced first-hand - the dreaded Buxus Blight. This fungal disease is becoming increasingly common in our region, and it can cause serious damage to the formal, structured look that Buxus hedging is loved for.
Here’s what you need to know — and why it might be easier (and less stressful!) to let Groundcover Landscaping help you tackle it.
What is Buxus Blight?
Buxus Blight is a fungal disease caused by Cylindrocladium buxicola (also known as Calonectria pseudonaviculata). It thrives in humid conditions - making the Waikato’s warm, moist climate an ideal environment for it to spread.
The disease can devastate Buxus plants, often attacking quickly and leaving hedges looking bare, brown, and patchy.
Signs your Buxus may have blight
Keep an eye out for:
- Brown or black leaf spots that quickly spread
- Leaf drop, especially from the lower parts of the plant
- Black streaks on the stems
- Patchy dieback within your hedge
If left untreated, Buxus Blight can completely defoliate plants, ruining the tidy, green structure Buxus is prized for.
How Buxus Blight spreads
Buxus Blight is highly contagious. It can spread:
- Through water splash during rain or watering
- Via wind or contact with infected plants
- Even on clothing and shoes
Unfortunately, once it gets established, it can be very hard to control without expert intervention.
Managing Buxus Blight
Early action is critical. Here are the basics for managing the disease:
- Remove and dispose of infected leaves and stems (not in your compost!)
- Disinfect any tools used on infected plants
- Improve airflow around plants by pruning
- Apply fungicide treatments (these need to be applied properly and consistently)
- In some cases, complete removal and replacement with a more disease-resistant plant may be the best long-term option
Why It’s easier to let Groundcover Landscaping handle it
While it’s tempting to try tackling Buxus Blight yourself, it can quickly become a bigger and more expensive problem if not managed correctly. That’s where we come in.
At Groundcover Landscaping, we:
✔️ Diagnose issues early and create a custom treatment plan
✔️ Safely remove and dispose of infected material
✔️ Use professional-grade treatments not available over the counter
✔️ Advise on replacements or alternatives if necessary
✔️ Protect the rest of your garden from further spread
✔️ Restore the look and health of your garden with expert care
Sometimes, a proactive management plan is enough to save your Buxus; other times, a new planting design can give your garden a fresh, blight-free start.
Either way — you don’t have to handle it alone.
Protect the heart of your garden
If you suspect Buxus Blight in your Waikato garden, don’t wait — the sooner it’s dealt with, the better your chances of saving your plants (and the rest of your landscape).
Healthy Buxus - happy garden - keep it clean, airy and dry and your hedges will thank you.
Contact Groundcover Landscaping today for advice, treatment options, or a full garden restoration plan.
We’ll help you get your outdoor spaces looking beautiful and healthy again - no stress, no mess.