Gardeners warned over 'horror' pest that kills plants - how to control them

Early autumn has arrived, and in the garden, it's prime time to plant evergreen hedges, such as yew, box, holly, escallonia or Portuguese laurel. However, despite being relatively easy to care for, there are still a few issues which can plague your hedges this autumn.

According to gardening expert Diarmuid Gavin, box is susceptible to both disease and pests. If you've got a garden hedge that's turning brown in spots or looking worse for wear, there's a few things that could be the cause. The pro warned that damage on mature box hedges is quite common and can be caused by several factors.

Writing for The Mirror, Diarmiud said: "The most serious is box blight, which shows as patches of brown leaves and black streaks on the stems, often with the leaves dropping away. Another possibility is the box moth caterpillar, which strips leaves quickly and leaves webbing behind. Browning can also come from drought stress or poor air circulation."

He's urged people to check their hedges carefully for signs of caterpillars or black streaking on the leaves to determine the cause of the problem.

Diarmuid added: "If it is caterpillars, you can control them with regular inspection and treatment. If it is blight, prune out affected sections, improving airflow, and apply a box 'feed and protect' liquid. Don't panic yet, but do act quickly to identify the problem so you can decide on the right treatment."

How to keep your hedge healthy in autumn

According to the experts at Elite Trees, now is the 'perfect time' to prepare your garden for the upcoming cooler months - which includes your hedge. They said: "Late summer trimming is essential to keep your hedges healthy, tidy and well-prepared for the changing season."

Now that we're in September, there's still time to give your hedge some TLC. The main growth phase of the year is slowing down, and cutting now gives your hedges time to recover before winter sets in.

The experts recommend giving your hedges a final tidy-up before growth stops for the year. Doing this now ensures they look tidy all winter, with hedges like yew, privet and box benefitting from this approach.

Trimming back hedges can also improve access and visibility in your garden, especially if it's positioned near a public pathway or a neighbour's garden.

After giving it a cut, you should also apply a layer of mulch around the base. This will help to protect the root, keep moisture in and provide much-needed nutrients before the cold sets in.

And of course, be vigilant for signs of box caterpillars, blight or other insects, and remove these damaged sections to help stop the spread.