Boxwoods Shrub

If you’re looking for simple, classic elegance in your landscape nothing beats the Boxwood.  The Boxwood shrub has a long history and is one of the most versatile shrubs available.

Because of its compact form and densely packed glossy green leaves the boxwood is often the shrub of choice for formal hedges, designs, topiaries, Bonsai and knot gardens. They are easily pruned and sheared into a variety of shapes. Although Boxwoods are well known for their use in formal gardens and design they work equally well in today’s contemporary and modern gardens. There are about 30 different species of Boxwoods, but essentially two that are grown as landscape ornamentals: Common Boxwood and Little Leaf Boxwood.  Boxwoods do require a little bit of forethought, effort, and planning to grow and maintain, but the benefits of that extra effort are worth it; you can enjoy all the wonderful uses the Boxwood has to offer.

Boxwoods require well-drained soil and have difficulty surviving long term in wet conditions.  Avoid one of the common mistakes when planting Boxwoods: planting too deeply. Boxwoods have a shallow root system, so dig the hole no deeper than the height of the plant. Due to this shallow root system Boxwoods require a good layer of mulch, to a depth of about 2-3 inches to protect them from the elements. Although Boxwoods will survive in full sun, they do best in partial shade as it better protects and cools their shallow roots.  Boxwoods prefer a soil pH range of anywhere from 6.8-7.5.

During the first few years after initial planting, Boxwoods should be sheared after each new flush of growth to encourage new branching and vigor. Boxwoods are slow but steady growers.  Do not shear or prune them late in the summer or early fall as this can encourage new growth just before the winter months when Boxwoods need extra protection from the elements. Dead or damaged branches can be removed at any time.

One challenge many gardeners face in growing Boxwoods is getting them safely through the winter months without “winter bronzing”. Winter bronzing turns the leaves and branches an unattractive yellow and brown. Sometimes the whole plant is affected. Winter bronzing is caused by damage from the frigid temperatures and wind gusts in the winter months that lead to severe moisture loss.

This moisture loss damages or kills off the leaves. You will need to remove the damaged or dead areas in the spring which can cause the plant to be misshapen.  If this happens, you may need to do more aggressive shearing to return the plant to an acceptable shape. If the entire plant is affected you may have to discard it and re-plant a new shrub. Some preventative measures include spraying with an anti-desiccant in late fall and again in mid-winter, covering plants with burlap or natural mulch to conserve moisture, and sufficient watering in the summer months.