Japanese Boxwood Dieback: Causes and Cultural Solutions

Branch dieback in a single Japanese boxwood among healthy neighbors often stems from site-specific issues. Volutella blight is one possibility—pruning out dead wood (as you've done) is the primary treatment. However, the root cause is often poor drainage in clay soil or drought stress. Boxwoods hate waterlogged soil and detest dry soil equally.

Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla) outperforms English boxwood in the South. 'Green Mountain' (a hybrid) is especially reliable. Fertilize with slow-release organics like Milorganite or cottonseed meal, which match boxwood's preference for gradual nutrient availability.