Knowledgebase

Boxwood blight? #866432

Asked April 30, 2024, 10:54 AM EDT

Hello, I noticed a white powderly like substance coating the exterior of my boxwood. It is flaky and if you shake the leaves you can see the substance fall and sit on the ground. Some leaves appear to be discolored but the substance coats an area far larger than discolored leaves. Any idea what this is?

Baltimore County Maryland

Expert Response

Boxwood Blight symptoms are quite different than those pictured here, and we do not see indications that particular fungus is present. Instead, the white residue is a natural wax produced by a very common insect called Boxwood Psyllid. They feed only on boxwood, have only one generation per year, and cause relatively minor damage that can be ignored. More information can be found in the linked page.

We don't see a clear cause for any discoloration, but a typical factor is a Boxwood Leafminer infestation. They are also very common insect pests of only boxwood, and have one generation per year. Information about this insect and other common ailments of boxwood can be found in our boxwood diagnostic page.

Miri

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