Green Mountain Boxwood Decline: Leafminer or Transplant Shock

Diagnosing Spotty Failure in New Hedge

A Pittsburgh gardener's 45 Green Mountain boxwoods (planted spring, survived winter) now show random drying/dying plants after dry spell and Isotox application.

Two Likely Causes

• Boxwood leafminer – Check leaves: hollow = leafminer; treat early spring with systemic
• Transplant shock – More likely; fertilize low-nitrogen, maintain water, 2-3" mulch, burlap winter protection

Random pattern suggests shock over uniform pest spread.