Pruning phormiums/ box blight

Clare Brady asked 14 years ago

After the recent cold weather, my phormiuns have gone all limp and floppy. Will they come back?I also have a large phormium. It is about 6ft tall and wide. It is completely overgrown and needs to be cut back. How much can I cut off it?Also is it possible for blight to affect a well established Box hedge. I have researched it and I’m almost 100% sure it has blight. What do I need to do with it?

1 Answers

Gerry Daly Staff answered 6 years ago
It is very likely that phormiums have been hit by hard frost in some parts of the country. Leave them be and see what happens, but limpness is not a good sign.

The large phormium might also be affected, or reduced by frost. If not, the easiest way is to cut out chunks from the side of the plant, having first dug underneath the roots. After the firs t chunk it gets easier.

Box blight and the similar box dieback are both damaging diseases of box hedging and can affect plants of any age, and are usually worst on clipped plants. Fungicides are of marginal value. Liquid copper fungicide may give some control and Roseclear may help, sprayed on the new foliage as it emerges. A spray in spring and after clipping should help but may not give complete control.

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