Last few years our boxwoods continue to die due to the blight disease. Planning on replacing with soft touch Holly. Can I plant these now or should I wait until March or so when freezing is less likely? Thanks

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Posted by denhamtiger

Denham Springs

Member since Jan 2014

742 posts

Posted on 1/28/24 at 7:06 am to tigers84

You can plant now but I’d personally wait till March. If your boxwoods are dying from blight (fungus) I’d also think about replacing the soil. Ive read the fungus is in the soil and kills the boxwoods from the root system.

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Posted by CrawDude

Baton Rouge

Member since Apr 2019

5598 posts

Posted on 1/28/24 at 12:56 pm to tigers84

Given Soft Touch Holly’s growing zone range (Z5 to Z9) you can certainly plant them now and into March. The sooner you plant them, the sooner they can get established from transplant shock, and start expanding their root system thereby providing a little less stress to them their first summer. Nov-Feb are ideal times plant woody shrubs and trees in the Deep South.

Have you seen this Y/T video by Jim Putnam on Soft Touch Holly LINK? He provides some excellent info in short videos. I discovered his Y/T channel several years ago - he is a former wholesale and retail plant nursery owner - and I believe he’s now a consultant to a major ormanental plant breeder. Just so happens, I learned about a year ago he also lives down the street from my daughter and SIL in Raleigh, NC.

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Posted by tigers84

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Member since Jun 2008

2761 posts

Posted on 1/28/24 at 1:30 pm to CrawDude

Thanks both of ya’ll for the info! Ha, I watched that video this morning. I’m over replacing box woods. Replaced like 40 two years ago and there will be more to replace this year. Time for something new.

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Posted by denhamtiger

Denham Springs

Member since Jan 2014

742 posts

Posted on 1/28/24 at 3:37 pm to tigers84

I replaced about 350 last year and they are doing great! I love them and alway suggest them when people mention boxwoods.

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Posted by lsutiger251

Member since Oct 2022

170 posts

Posted on 1/29/24 at 2:15 pm to tigers84

Good shrub sub, planting now should be fine. Future weather forecast seems moderate with no real potential for freezing. I would A) treat the soil or B) complete removal of shrub and soil and start fresh.

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