Landscape - Volutella Blight on Pachysandra

The following is information on Volutella blight of Pachysandra, a common disease of this plant in Delaware.

Volutella blight on Pachysandra has been diagnosed on old infected stems in beds exposed to full sun recently. During periods of wet weather the infected stems produce masses of salmon-colored spores that infect more stems and leaves. Prune out the blighted stems and fertilize beds with a ½ lb of nitrogen/1000 sq ft to help them recover. Fungicides are not likely to provide any control at this point, but several are labeled (mancozeb and others) if you want to try using fungicides.

Volutella blight on Pachysandra causing dieback. Photo by Jody Fetzer, New York Botanical Garden, Bugwood.org.

Information from Bob Mulrooney, Extension Plant Pathologist, UD.