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I have a lilac (Ms. Kim) for around 5-years in my landscape and I noticed that is seems to be losing it leaves and dying. It did bloom this spring. I...
Knowledgebase
Bushes #840391
Asked July 12, 2023, 8:41 PM EDT
I have a lilac (Ms. Kim) for around 5-years in my landscape and I noticed that is seems to be losing it leaves and dying. It did bloom this spring. It gets sun all day.
The other shrub is a boxwood. I have a few boxwoods in my landscape located in the front facing the east. It gets the morning sun. It has developed dead spots.
I have added pictures. I am hoping you can tell me what to do to save them.
Clark County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Carl,
For Miss Kim, the most common comment for yellowing leaves is over/under watering. Is your lilac in a location where the soil is evenly moist? Is the soil well draining and not waterlogged?
The yellowing leaves may be cause by our recent hot temperatures which can also caused stress.
The second cause may be due to an iron deficiency. The soil needs to be slightly acidic so that there can be iron uptake. You can treat this by topdressing the soil with iron sulfate to lower the pH to around 7.0.
The third cause maybe some sort of pests. Do you see any sign of insects on Miss Kim?
Here is are two links to more detailed discussion.
Lilac Leaves Turning Yellow - Gardential.com
How to Grow and Care for 'Miss Kim' Lilac (thespruce.com)
For your boxwood, it looks like winter or salt damage. Is it near a sidewalk that may have been treated with salt over the winter? if so, the salt could be the culprit.
I don't see any signs of animal damage and since the browning seems to be localized, you can just trim them off and let the bush regrow. You probably know by now that boxwood grow slowly so have patience.
This link discussed many possible causes that you may be interested in reading.
Browning of boxwood: Is it boxwood blight? - Landscaping (msu.edu)
There is a boxwood blight but your plant doesn't look like it's affected by this. Be Alert to Boxwood Blight | BYGL (osu.edu)
I hope the above helps.
For Miss Kim, the most common comment for yellowing leaves is over/under watering. Is your lilac in a location where the soil is evenly moist? Is the soil well draining and not waterlogged?
The yellowing leaves may be cause by our recent hot temperatures which can also caused stress.
The second cause may be due to an iron deficiency. The soil needs to be slightly acidic so that there can be iron uptake. You can treat this by topdressing the soil with iron sulfate to lower the pH to around 7.0.
The third cause maybe some sort of pests. Do you see any sign of insects on Miss Kim?
Here is are two links to more detailed discussion.
Lilac Leaves Turning Yellow - Gardential.com
How to Grow and Care for 'Miss Kim' Lilac (thespruce.com)
For your boxwood, it looks like winter or salt damage. Is it near a sidewalk that may have been treated with salt over the winter? if so, the salt could be the culprit.
I don't see any signs of animal damage and since the browning seems to be localized, you can just trim them off and let the bush regrow. You probably know by now that boxwood grow slowly so have patience.
This link discussed many possible causes that you may be interested in reading.
Browning of boxwood: Is it boxwood blight? - Landscaping (msu.edu)
There is a boxwood blight but your plant doesn't look like it's affected by this. Be Alert to Boxwood Blight | BYGL (osu.edu)
I hope the above helps.
