how do you take care of a boxwood shrub

• Soil. Boxwood shrubs will thrive in well-drained, rich organic soil. Boxwoods roots grow shallow so give them evenly moist soil but ensure adequate drainage.
• Light. Different Boxwood varieties have different light requirements. As a rule of thumb, boxwoods grow in full sun to light shade.
• Water. Newly planted Boxwood plants need to be watered frequently. Watering can be decreased as the plants grow and get established in the ground.
• Temperature. Boxwoods are hardy to USDA zones 4-10. They are hardy and versatile plants that can tolerate pretty low to high temperatures.
Humidity. Boxwood plants do not have any special humidity requirements and will do well regardless of atmospheric humidity.
Fertilizer. Feed your Boxwood shrubs with a suitable dose of all-purpose fertilizer in Spring and throughout the growing season to promote healthy and fast foliage growth.
Growth. Boxwoods are well-known for their very slow growth rate, typically 6 or fewer inches of new growth per year.
Potting. Boxwoods are excellent plants for growing containers given that the container has adequate drainage, and is wide enough to support the plant’s shallow, wide-reaching roots.
Pruning. Pruning your Boxwoods the right way is an essential part of Boxwood care. ...
Boxwood Propagation. The best time to take Boxwood cuttings is late Summer to Fall. Take hardened or semi-hardened stems from a healthy part of the plant.

Full Answer

What should you use to fertilize boxwood?

What are the Requirements of Boxwood Fertilizer?

• Can Repel Insects. If your fertilizer can also double up as an insect repellant, your job is made that much easier. ...
• Protection from Blight. If your fertilizer also comes with ingredients that treat Boxwood Blight, there is nothing like it. ...
• Slow-Release Fertilizer. You should opt for a durable fertilizer. ...
• Soil pH Level for Boxwoods. ...

What plants look good with boxwoods?

What Plants Look Good With Boxwoods?

• Annual Bedding Plants. Boxwood can be used in the landscape to line border plantings, as topiaries, or even grown in large containers, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
• Roses. ...
• Perennial Gardens. ...
• Herbs. ...

How do you fertilize boxwoods?

Try these tips for safely applying fertilizer to your boxwood:

• Apply the fertilizer around the entire diameter of root growth. That means a few feet out from the area below the top (bushy canopy) of the plant. ...
• Follow package directions for amount and apply the fertilizer evenly.
• Follow the concept of "less is best" to start and add a little more next time if all goes well.

Why are my boxwoods dying?

• Why does it happen? Drought Stress- Due to Overwatering and Rain Fall Boxwood Leafminer Volutella Stem Canker AKA Volutella Blight of Boxwood
• Preparing your Boxwood Against Drought Stress
• Defending your Boxwood Against Insect Attack
• Tips for Taking care of Boxwood During Summer

Do boxwoods need sun or shade?

A full or part sun location is needed for optimum growth of this specimen. Successfully growing boxwood requires well-drained soil and while the plants prefer soil to be organic, the boxwood's soil needs are adaptable. When planting boxwood, consider your year-round climate.

Are boxwoods easy to maintain?

Caring for boxwood or 'buxus' is extremely easy. These are popular shrubs gardeners grow into hedges and other unique shapes. Once established, these bushes require very little time and energy beyond pruning.

Where do boxwoods grow best?

Boxwood shrubs can be grown in just about any light condition, tolerating heavy shade to full sunlight. A blend of the two is best, ideally in a location that provides dappled sunlight or light shade with a few hours of morning or early afternoon sun.

How often do you need to water boxwoods?

As a general rule, one or two deep waterings per week is plenty during the plant's first year, decreasing to once a week during the shrub's second growing season. Thereafter, watering a boxwood is necessary only during periods of hot, dry weather.

Is Miracle Grow good for boxwoods?

Answer: Miracle-Gro Miracid Plant Food is for acid loving plants. Boxwoods are not acid loving plants, so it should not be used on them.

How do you keep boxwoods healthy?

How to Care for BoxwoodPlant Your Boxwood in the Right Location. Siting boxwood in the proper location goes a long way toward maintaining healthy plants. ... Provide Adequate Drainage. ... Protect Boxwood Roots. ... Prune Boxwood by Thinning. ... Winter Protection for Boxwood. ... Water Boxwood Wisely. ... Fertilize Boxwood as Needed.

What is the best fertilizer for boxwoods?

Slow-release, balanced fertilizers are best for boxwood, and a granular form of urea fertilizer 10-6-4 is recommended. You also can use aged manure or cottonseed meal if your plant appears healthy, as long as you are making sure your boxwood has plenty of nitrogen.

Do boxwoods need to be covered in winter?

In general, a plant will be less likely to suffer winter damage if it is hardy; appropriate for the conditions, such as sunlight, in your garden; planted properly; and well cared for. It is generally not necessary to protect boxwoods with burlap except in certain circumstances.

Are coffee grounds good for boxwoods?

Plants that DISLIKE coffee grounds These plants, thus, do not like coffee grounds. Here are some examples of plants that should NOT use coffee grounds: Trees: Silver maple, Green ash, burr oak and Austrian Pine. Shrubs: lilac, boxwood, oleander, barberry, juniper.

Why are the leaves on my boxwood turning brown?

A browning Boxwood shrub most usually looks like a case of Boxwood blight, a fungal disease that leads to significant leaf drop and bronzing. Other than that, Boxwood browning can be caused by winter damage, salt damage, over-fertilization, drought stress, Boxwood leafminer infestation, and more.

Can you overwater boxwoods?

Often, if you are overwatering your boxwood, the foliage may turn yellow or wilt. Sometimes the foliage may fade or turn pale compared to usual. And remember – maintaining a 1-inch layer of organic mulch around your plant and its drip lines can ensure its shallow roots stay hydrated but not soggy.

Is Epsom salt good for boxwoods?

Epsom salts contains about 10 percent magnesium and 13 percent sulfur, which helps make the foliage greener and sometimes larger and thicker. While Epsom salts can be sprinkled around the boxwood and watered in, a homemade foliar spray gets better results, according to the National Gardening Association.

How long do boxwood shrubs live?

Common Boxwood Lifespan: 20-30 Years.

How quickly does boxwood grow?

3-5 inches a yearHow Fast Does The American Boxwood Grow? Generally 3-5 inches a year and is a favorite among fast growing evergreen shrubs that reach a mature height of 10-15 feet and 6-10 feet in width.

What is the best time to plant boxwoods?

When to Plant Boxwoods. Shrub planting is best done in spring or summer so that it can get well established before winter. Spring is best because while a new planting is becoming acclimated to its new environment, extreme weather conditions like heat or drought can cause undue stress.

Do boxwoods get sunburned?

While boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) can thrive in full sun or partial shade, those shrubs that get full winter sun can develop a condition called "boxwood burn." Not all boxwood will be affected, but those that are vulnerable develop orange or bronze "burns" on the foliage.

How much humidity does a boxwood plant need?

They can tolerate humidity levels as low as 10% to as high as 90%. However, high humidity conditions increase the risk of foliar fungal diseases and Boxwood Blight.

How to propagate boxwood?

Propagation by stems is by far the most straightforward method for Boxwood propagation. These shrubs do not fruit very frequently so seed propagation is not reliable.

What soil do boxwoods like?

Boxwood shrubs will thrive in well-drained, rich organic soil. Boxwoods roots grow shallow so give them evenly moist soil but ensure adequate drainage. They are susceptible to root rot in waterlogged soils. They can tolerate soil pH levels from 6.5 to 7.5, while a value of 7.1 is preferred.

How tall do boxwoods grow?

Boxwoods are well-known for their very slow growth rate, typically 6 or fewer inches of new growth per year. They are evergreen, broadleaf shrubs with ovate, glossy leaves. Buxus sempervirens can grow 1-9 m in height. The ‘Suffruticosa’ cultivar only grows 2-3 ft in height and up to 4 ft in width.

How many species are there in Boxwood?

The Boxwood genus comprises about 97 species and hundreds of cultivars, the most familiar one is Buxus sempervirens, or its ‘Suffruticosa’ English Cultivar.

What type of soil do buxus plants need?

When it comes to the soil requirements for your Buxus plants, they are pretty resilient and can tolerate a wide range of soil types from chalk, sand, loam to heavy clay.

When was the Boxwood plantation first planted?

The first reported Boxwood garden plantation in North America took place in 1653!

What is a boxwood plant?

Printer Friendly Version. Image by Eve Hermann. Boxwood plants ( Buxus) are dense, evergreen shrubs often planted in elegant and formal landscapes. Many varieties and cultivars of boxwood plants exist. Boxwoods are grown for foliage as their flowers are insignificant.

What is the pH of boxwood?

Yearly soil tests can determine if the soil pH for the boxwood is correct. Soil pH should be between 6.5 and 7. It is best to test the soil before planting boxwood. pH can be raised with the addition of lime and lowered by sulfur.

What is the pest that is destroying boxwoods?

The boxwood leaf miner is the most common pest one must deal with when caring for boxwoods. If foliage begins to yellow, treat with organic oil or insecticidal sprays. Phytophthora root rot may result from soggy soils.

Can boxwood be grown in the summer?

When planting boxwood, consider your year-round climate. If temperatures become extremely hot in summer, boxwood plants will appreciate afternoon shade and regular watering.

Can you keep boxwood as a hedge?

Aside from watering and mulching, growing boxwood is a low maintenance task, unless you wish to keep them as a sheared hedge. Shearing, or pruning of boxwood , is the most time-consuming part of boxwood care when they are grown as a hedge, but you will be rewarded with a healthy, long-lasting hedge.

What to use to clean boxwood?

Use bleach, alcohol, or other disinfectants to clean the tools. Never use tools from other gardens or nurseries as they may serve as a base for the spread of various diseases in your Boxwood.

What happens if you don't drain your boxwood?

When there is no proper drainage, the roots remain flooded with water which can be fatal for your Boxwood.

What shrubs look good on pavement?

If you wish to cultivate a plant that will look spectacular on your pavement or fence, Boxwood shrub has to be a perfect choice.

What causes boxwood to have light patches?

Light-colored patches begin to appear on the underside when Boxwood is infested with Mites.

How fast does boxwood grow?

Boxwood is a very slow grower. The growth rate of the shrub can vary from 6 inches to 12 inches per year, depending on the species.

How to tell if boxwood blight is present?

The presence of Boxwood blight can be detected when you observe brown-purple borders and round brown spots on leaves. The leaf spots might have yellow halos.

When do psyllids appear on boxwood?

The presence of psyllids can be noted when the leaves of Boxwood begin to cup.

What is the best soil for boxwood?

The one essential soil requirement for a healthy boxwood is good drainage – these plants do not tolerate wet feet! Amend soils with organic matter or plant on a berm to improve drainage. Avoid wet areas, such as alongside downspouts or low-lying portions of the landscape. Boxwood are also commonly planted in containers.

Why is my boxwood turning brown in winter?

Boxwood foliage can become yellow-orange to reddish brown in winter from drying winds, frost, and intense sun ­– a problem called bronzing. Improved varieties like Baby Gem™ Boxwood hold color well in winter, but some protection can go a long way to avoid bronzing. Protection from winter winds is key to limiting bronzing.

How to protect foliage from freezing?

If the planting site does not offer protection, burlap wraps or windbreaks may be used to protect foliage. Also, water plants prior to freezing temperatures to reduce bronzing. Keep roots insulated and conserve soil moisture by maintaining a three-inch mulch layer throughout fall and winter.

How to keep plants cool in the ground?

This will allow plants to settle properly without becoming too deep. Provide a two- to three-inch layer of mulch to keep roots cool and conserve soil moisture. Extend the layer of mulch at least one foot beyond the canopy of the plant.

Is boxwood good for shade?

Boxwood performs best in full sun to part shade conditions. In hot climates, plants benefit from afternoon shade. Boxwood is susceptible to damage from dry winter winds; plant in a location where it will be protected.

Do boxwoods need irrigation?

In the first year, newly planted boxwood will require regular irrigation – weekly or more during hot, dry weather. Second year plants are still developing a healthy root system and will continue to require water if rainfall is inadequate. Once established, boxwood only require supplemental irrigation during dry conditions.

Can you prune baby gem boxwood?

These new selections are healthier than maintaining rounded forms through shearing – a practice that can encourage disease by shading plant interiors, weakening branches, and reducing airflow. Instead of shearing, thinning is the recommended way to prune both compact and larger boxwood varieties.