Shrub Questions

Question

I am hoping that you can answer a couple of questions I have regarding shrubbery. We had traditional boxwood shrubs in our front landscaping area for several years. Approximately 4-5 years ago, they started looking unhealthy, (entire branches and sections browned and looked dead). I did a lot of research, and feel that they developed boxwood blight. I tried treating them, but to no avail, as they just worsened until there were almost no healthy branches left. We ended up removing the shrubs. I want to plant something with a similar look to boxwoods that is also low maintenance. I’ve read that the soil would likely still have the fungus within it, and that replanted boxwoods would likely develop blight as well. Do you have any recommendations for alternative low maintenance shrubs that are similar to boxwoods, and that will not be impacted by blight? I’ve read that Inkberry is a good option, so I was hoping to get your thoughts on Inkberry, or if you could recommend another alternative replacement. Also, we have some Soft Touch Compact Holly shrubs and Sky Pencil Japanese Holly shrubs in the back yard. They were thriving and beautiful until the deep freeze we experienced in December. Both of them lost the majority of their leaves, with the biggest variation of leaves lost being in the Sky Pencil shrubs. I’ve attached photos for reference. I left them alone the following year, hoping they would survive and bounce back. Both shrubs now have new growth, but the branches that lost the leaves have no sign of any new growth. Should I cut off these limbs that have no new leaf growth? Will any new branches potentially grow? Thank you so very much for your time and your wisdom.

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Answer 1

Definitely remove the dead wood on any shrubs at any time during the year. I suggest replacing the one in the middle, however. Pruning may encourage new growth in the others. Many shrubs will leaf out and grow new stems when winter dieback is pruned out.

The boxwoods may have suffered winter dieback rather than blight, but there is something called replant disease. I will include an article below about it as well as boxwood articles and alternative shrubs. (Note: one of the alternatives suggested is Sunshine ligustrum and it does best in zones 7 and above. If you are in zone 6, it likely will suffer winter dieback.)

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/planting-in-old-spaces.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/substitutes-for-boxwood-shrubs.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/growing-inkberry-holly.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/diseases-affecting-boxwoods.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/boxwood-blight-treatment.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/volutella-blight-boxwood-control.htm