Reviving our Box Hedge by Denise Gill

Back in July 2025, we noticed something worrying in the herb garden – the box hedge was looking tired. Bare patches, brown and yellow leaves, and signs of dieback had appeared. Was it just the dry spell, or something more serious like blight?

What Went Wrong?
Box hedges can suffer from several problems, but one of the most common is box blight, a fungal disease that attacks leaves and stems. It’s caused by fungi. There’s also the widely feared box caterpillar, which leaves tell-tale webbing and chewed leaves. In our case, no caterpillars or webbing were found, so we ruled that out.

Our Action Plan
We decided to treat the hedge rather than prune it heavily. Brendan, one of our gardeners, recommended Probio Carbon, a homegrown box blight treatment, which he applied a few times.
This treatment not only helps fight fungal diseases but also encourages bushier growth by reducing internode spacing. We also made sure to water the hedge regularly at the base.

The Results
A couple of months later, fresh green shoots appeared—a promising sign! By December 2025, the hedge looked much healthier, and we’re hopeful for a full recovery.

Tip for Gardeners
If your box hedge starts looking patchy, don’t panic. Check for signs of caterpillars or webbing first. If it’s blight, a good treatment and consistent watering can make all the difference.