When to trim boxwoods?īoxwoods can be pruned at nearly any time during the growing season. Well-drained soils, protection of the shallow root system, and shelter from winter wind and cold extremes are essential for healthy plants, and to deter pests such as leaf miner. When planted correctly and given proper care, these forgiving shrubs need little attention once established. This versatile shrub has many uses, as privacy screening, pathway edging, to divide garden rooms, as container specimens, in mixed borders and foundation plantings, as topiaries, or a stand-alone specimen in the landscape. Dwarf types may only see 1/2-1 inch of new growth per year, while the typical growth rate for most varieties is 3-6 inches per year. Are boxwoods fast growing?īoxwoods are slow growing compared to many other shrubs, with growth rate depending on the variety. How tall do boxwoods get?ĭwarf types can grow to just 1-foot-tall, while the largest varieties reach up to 20 feet tall. Provide protection from hot afternoon sun. Use in foundation plantings, containers or as low hedging in a formal garden.īOXWOOD FAQ’s Do boxwoods like sun or shade?īoxwood prefers partial or dappled shade, with at least 4-6 hours of direct sun per day. The faster growth rate and upright habit makes this a good choice for hedging. Sprinter ® ( Buxus microphylla) is an improved form of ‘Winter Gem’, with glossy evergreen foliage and excellent winter hardiness. Train into a low hedge, or use in formal plantings. North Star ® ( Buxus sempervirens) is a cold hardy medium-sized variety that forms a symmetrical globe of dense green foliage. If outer growth becomes too dense, selectively remove some of the older branches to improve air circulation and allow more light. Lightly trim plants to shape as needed and cut out any broken, dead or diseased branches. Pruning: The small leaves and dense growth habit make boxwoods especially amenable to shearing into formal hedging and topiaries. Apply in spring to promote foliar growth. Irrigate in the morning and avoid overhead watering to help prevent boxwood blight.įertilizing: Use an all-purpose fertilizer or one formulated for trees and shrubs. Since they are shallow-rooted, they will need more frequent watering during hot, dry spells, or when planted in containers. Plants may suffer from root rot if they are overwatered or if the soil drains poorly. Watering: When plants are young, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. For containers, use a high-quality potting mix. Mulch with a layer of shredded bark to suppress weeds, retain moisture and keep the root zone cool. Soil: Boxwood shrubs are adaptable to different soil types as long as there is good drainage. Backfill the hole with soil and tamp down slightly to remove air pockets.This will allow for settling and help keep the roots from sitting in water, which can stress or kill plants. Set the plant in the hole with the crown slightly above soil level. Remove the plant from the nursery pot and tease out roots if potbound.Loosen soil in the planting area and dig a hole twice as wide and slightly deeper than the root ball.For stand-alone specimens, allow more space around plants for good air circulation. How to plant: For hedging, space plants at half their mature width for example, if the mature width is 4 feet, space plants with their centers 2 feet apart. Boxwood can grow in full shade (less than four hours of light/day), however, they tend to take a more open habit, and leaf color may be impacted. Where to plant: When planting boxwoods, choose a wind-sheltered site with partial or dappled shade that receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, with protection from hot afternoon sun. The dense fine foliage in shades of green or gold variegation is highly amenable to shearing, making them ideal for formal hedging and topiaries. The types of boxwood most often used in home gardens include dwarf and variegated varieties of English boxwood, Japanese boxwood, Korean boxwood and American boxwood (not native to North America). Boxwood hardiness zone is generally from 5-9, though a few cultivars are hardy to zone 4. Boxwood is deer resistant with good cold hardiness, making it a viable choice for many different regions.īoxwood varieties come in a range of shapes including rounded, upright, pyramidal or spreading, with sizes ranging from 1-20 feet tall and 2-8 feet wide, depending on the variety. What makes this widely used plant so valuable is the ease of growing, year-round interest, tolerance of different growing conditions, and versatility in the landscape. Buy boxwood shrubs – Order online and have them shipped right to your doorįrom grand country estates to small urban lots, boxwood evergreen shrubs have played an integral role in landscapes across the globe for hundreds of years.
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