Just thought I'd start off with a little "ewwww" factor. This is about the Boxwood Leafminer. We believed that boxwoods were almost pest-free, even pest resitant. Well, this last week, I discovered at a client's house that all of her 15 boxwood were infested. !! This pest isn't unheard of in our area but is fairly rare. As far as I can see, the hort department at KSU doesn't have a common pests post on it. (That's saying something)
This image is from the Clemson Extension website. It has detailed information on the Leafminer, as well as how to handle it. I believe that a systemic insecticide would be adequate at this time of year BUT if you don't identify that you have it, your bush is a goner!
How to figure it out: are your Boxwoods yellowing? Looks like winterkill? Instead of assuming it is, look for the following signs: chlorotic leaves. Means you can see the veins in the leaf and they are yellowing in the margins. Engorged or puffed up leaves... this is the wriggly larvae inside!! Also look for clouds of flying insects around your affected boxwood. These are the adults, hatched out.
Don't despair... boxwood are still an awesome shrub for the home garden. They even withstand the ever-present walnut tree! They are a wonderful shrub that tolerates low-light to full sun levels, deals with clay soil well, has few pests and is hardy in our temperatures!
If you think your boxwood or any other shrub looks sickly, don't wait. Give us a call and we will come help you diagnose your plants!
