Boxwood Blight - A 15 Year Love and Hate Relationship

HRI Research • March 29, 2021

German researchers have been working on boxwood blight since it first appeared in Germany in the summer of 2004. Initial cultivar trials indicated that there were large differences in susceptibility. This resulted in a series of horticultural trials, on the one hand on the susceptibility of Buxus species and cultivars, and on the other hand on alternative woody plants as substitutes for boxwood. In parallel, many trials on the suitability of fungicides have been running since 2005, both in vitro and in the field. In addition, the trials have repeatedly tested preparations that were considered as alternatives for chemical plant protection. Furthermore, we monitored the occurrence of the two blight pathogens, Calonectria pseudonaviculata and C. henricotiae, and examined other host plants - Pachysandra and Sarcococca in trials. This talk will summarize the 15-years of research results and share the successes and difficulties of blight control in gardens and parks in Germany.

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