Boxwood is commonly used in landscaping and has a very distinctive odor, similar to cat urine. Boxwood has been used in landscaping since colonial times and can be found in all types of landscaping -- ranging from colonial to modern. It is a versatile shrub that can be used to define areas, create a natural screen and grow as topiary shrubs.
Does your shrub smell like cat Pee?
If it smells like cat pee then it is most likely the shrub and not the felines. As to evergreen, my boxwoods are evergreen also.Here is a boxwood to compare to your shrub.It needs shaping as these are usually squared off and used to line fence lines and define areas such as property lines foundations etc.
Do boxwoods smell?
These flowers, especially in English varieties, may occasionally emit the unpleasant odor that so many people notice. If you are concerned about smelly boxwood shrubs, then there are certain things you can do to avoid the smell.
What is boxwood used for?
Boxwood is commonly used in landscaping and has a very distinctive odor, similar to cat urine. Boxwood has been used in landscaping since colonial times and can be found in all types of landscaping -- ranging from colonial to modern. It is a versatile shrub that can be used to define areas, create a natural screen and grow as topiary shrubs.
What is a Japanese boxwood shrub?
Japanese Boxwood is a low-growing shrub that rarely exceeds 3 feet in height. Landscaping your yard is an effective way to improve your home’s curb appeal and provide a backdrop for family gatherings. Boxwood is commonly used in landscaping and has a very distinctive odor, similar to cat urine.
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Is there a boxwood that doesn't smell like cat pee?
While only certain varieties are known to smell like cat or dog urine, all boxwoods have been put into this category, and unfairly I might add! The Green Velvet variety does not stink and has many popular and positive attributes for your landscape or your garden.
What kind of bush smells like cat urine?
English Boxwood It's known to smell a little—or a lot—like cat pee.
Why do boxwood shrubs smell like cat urine?
Boxwood bushes smell because they release oils when the sunlight hits them. The strange, urine-like odor is most common in English Boxwoods in the spring when the boxwood is growing. Some people describe the scent as woody, and pleasant. Green Beauty, Dee Runk, and other boxwoods don't smell.
Do boxwoods have an odor?
Yes, boxwoods do have a scent; it's caused when the sun heats the oil in their leaves. I particularly love the smell -- it reminds me of happy hours spent in wonderful European gardens, surrounded by brilliant flowers, the hum of bees and the redolence of boxwood.
What else can smell like cat pee?
Certain foods emit a smell similar to cat urine when they decompose, including fish, garlic, lima beans, asparagus, and broccoli. If spoiled food is the source of cat pee smell in your home, make an extra effort to use or dispose of foods before they spoil and add an odor-absorbing box of baking soda in the fridge.
Which boxwood is the most fragrant?
Buxus sempervirens suffruticosaBuxus sempervirens suffruticosa... (fragrant english boxwood) The most fragrant of boxwoods, it is easy to maintain with minimal pruning to allow light and air to reach the center of the bush.
Does Green Mountain boxwood smell like cat pee?
One drawback of planting boxwoods near a door or window is that, especially after pruning, they emit an odor reminiscent of cat urine (which can upset any felines in your house or neighborhood). Luckily, it doesn't last all season.
What plant or tree smells like cat pee?
Be aware that there are some boxwoods, such as Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruiticosa', that can add an interesting smell to the landscape when the leaves are disturbed. A Virginia Tech publication describes it like this, 'This cultivar has the strong 'aroma' that has been likened to cat urine.
When should you trim boxwoods?
Early spring, before boxwood begin to flush, is the best time of year to prune. Any old winter color, or tips that have been burned over the winter season, can be trimmed away and will disappear after the spring flush.
What can I plant instead of boxwoods?
HERE ARE 4 GREAT OPTIONS FOR BOXWOOD ALTERNATIVES:1. Box Honeysuckle (Lonicera Nitida) This plant is listed among the best boxwood alternatives with extremely similar leaf shape and size. ... Hicks Yew (Taxus x media 'Hicksii') ... Little Simon Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) ... Teton Firethorn (Pyracantha 'Teton')
Do sprinter boxwoods smell?
Sprinter® Japanese boxwood is an improved, fast-growing form of 'Winter Gem'. Glossy evergreen foliage is attractive year-round, and holds up well to winter weather. Upright habit is ideally suited for low hedging and landscaping. Hardier than English boxwood, and without the characteristic odor, too.
Do boxwoods need sun?
The boxwood can be grown as a standalone plant, in groups or as a hedge. Furthermore, the boxwood has been used in containers, topiaries and for bonsai purposes. They can thrive in light shade as well as full sun.
Why does my yard smell like cat pee?
Instead, you should blame the boxwoods. While there are a variety of ornamental landscaping trees, shrubs, and plants that have varying less-than-pleasant smells, the boxwood is the likely culprit in your yard.
Why does my mulch smell like urine?
The grass or bark was contaminated before you mulched it. Urine, feces, and other substances can make the mulch smell like manure. Excess heat ruined the mulch (it's still recoverable). If the mulch starts to dry out or gets too hot, the moisture will be perfect for bacterial growth.
What plant has a pungent odor?
Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum) Not only is it one of the biggest flowers in the world, it's also one of the smelliest. Dubbed the "corpse flower" after the putrid smell of its bloom, these flowers are huge draws at greenhouses around the world.
What is a boxwood bush?
Boxwoods are typically large shrubs or small trees, but most of the varieties used in modern landscaping are dwarf varieties, such as B. sempervirens 'Suffruticosa', a popular plant for hedges and topiaries. Another dwarf variety is the Korean (Buxus sinica var. insularis).
What is the best plant for boxwoods?
If other boxwoods are still too smelly for you, try another evergreen plant with similar attributes including hardiness; small, densely borne leaves and tolerance of shearing. One likely candidate is Japanese holly (Ilex crenata), which grows in USDA zones 5 or 6 to 8, depending on the variety.
What is boxwood hedge?
A neatly trimmed boxwood hedge. Image Credit: payee/iStock/Getty Images. Evergreen boxwood (Buxus spp.), with its dense leafy growth, is grown for its beauty and utility as a garden plant, especially for hedging. Some species, especially English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), which grows in U.S.
How tall does a Littleleaf Box grow?
It grows 3 to 4 feet tall, with an equal spread an has a compact, rounded habit.
What zone does boxwood grow in?
Some species, especially English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 or 6 through 8, depending on variety, feature leaves that exude a strong scent, especially when the sun shines on them. Individual senses of smell differ, but many people think English boxwood smells similar ...
What is a good substitute for boxwood?
A slow-grower, like English box, it features shiny green leaves and grows between 5 and 10 feet tall, with a dense, rounded habit. Another related plant and good box substitute is inkberry holly, (Ilex glabra), which grows in USDA zones 4 or 5 through 9 or 10, depending on the variety.
Do Japanese boxwoods like full sun?
In many ways, the littleleaf, non-odorous boxwoods require the same care as the English types. Both like well-draining soil and part shade to full sun, with the littleleaf Japanese varieties doing best in full sun.
Does boxwood smell like cat urine?
Individual senses of smell differ, but many people think English boxwood smells similar to cat urine. Other boxwood species are less malodorous and can be substituted for the English type. Advertisement.
What is a boxwood shrub?
It is a versatile shrub that can be used to define areas, create a natural screen and grow as topiary shrubs. Boxwoods come in approximately 30 different species. The two most widely used boxwood species are buxus sempervirens (American boxwood) and buxus microphylla (Japanese boxwood). American boxwood reaches heights of 5 to 10 feet and is generally cold-weather tolerant. Japanese Boxwood is a low-growing shrub that rarely exceeds 3 feet in height.
What is Japanese boxwood?
Japanese Boxwood is a low-growing shrub that rarely exceeds 3 feet in height. Landscaping your yard is an effective way to improve your home’s curb appeal and provide a backdrop for family gatherings. Boxwood is commonly used in landscaping and has a very distinctive odor, similar to cat urine.
How tall does Viburnum tinus grow?
Viburnum tinus, or Laurustinus viburnum, is an evergreen shrub that grows to heights of 6 to 12 feet and widths between 6 and 10 feet. It is frequently used in landscaping due to its lustrous green foliage and eye-catching white flowers that begin blooming in late winter. Viburnum is relatively easy to grow since it does well in alkaline or acidic soils and flourishes in a sunny location. While viburnum adds evergreen color to the landscape and is well suited to many growing conditions, the plants will emit a strong odor on rainy days -- the smell may be reminiscent of cat urine to some.
Is viburnum a good plant to grow in?
Viburnum is relatively easy to grow since it does well in alkaline or acidic soils and flourishes in a sunny location. While viburnum adds evergreen color to the landscape and is well suited to many growing conditions, the plants will emit a strong odor on rainy days -- the smell may be reminiscent of cat urine to some.
Does viburnum have a strong odor?
While viburnum adds evergreen color to the landscape and is well suited to many growing conditions, the plants will emit a strong odor on rainy days -- the smell may be reminiscent of cat urine to some.
How to kill aphids on shrubs?
Hose the shrubs down, and if possible make the ground around it uncomfortable to walk on (gravel, prickly twigs, etc.). Try a little Murphey's oil soap in one of those sprayers that attach to the hose and dilute applications. I use it to kill aphids and it has a nice clean smell and doesn't bother my plants at all.
Do cats like pine cones?
Whether the box or not, cats don't like pine cones of any sort. The make an unstable, prickly, sticky footing for cat feet. Of course, they need to be replaced from time to time as they naturally compost. If wind is a problem you can bury them slightly in the mulch, leaving the top portion above.
Can Vicks vaporub be used indoors?
What a gorgeous iris it is. Try some Vicks Vaporub on a piece of paper to keep them away. It works indoors for my cats, they won't come near anything with Vicks on it.
