
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, October 29, 1995                   TAG: 9511020027
SECTION: HOMES                    PAGE: D-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

OLD BOXWOODS COME DOWN WITH AILMENT

Q: I have a 30- to 40-year-old boxwood garden. Suddenly in late summer one bush turned yellow in several places and had branches that seemed to be dying. It developed small growths that looked like pine cones where the leaves attach to the branches. What can be causing this and how can I keep it from spreading to my other boxwoods? L.E., Roanoke

A: This is another case where a sample of the affected plant should be taken to an expert for diagnosis, such as to a Master Gardener plant clinic, extension office or nursery.

Patchy yellowing and branch death on a boxwood at the time of year you noticed it can be drought injury, and those pine cone-like things could be anything from galls to bagworms.

Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants or insects to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. Those of wide appeal will be answered during the weeks that the subject is timely.

by CNB