We may bring in tax revenue from the product useable on this page and participate in affiliate programs . Learn More ›
Boxwood shrubs are dense evergreens that do n’t experience like distinctive evergreens . This slowly - growing perennial features leathery , almost glossy dark-green leaves that are small , rounded , and dumbly packed — which is one rationality the boxwood hedge is so popular . Another reason is that this plant is easy to prune to almost any shape and desired size , so it ’s a classical topiary choice .
The Turkish boxwood bush is prized for its functionality , versatility , and low criminal maintenance , form boxwood worry relatively simple . Above all , boxwood is an attractive , hardyshrub that can add privateness , formalities , elegance , and yr - rotund greenery to almost any landscape .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Growing Boxwood at a Glance
Common Name : BoxwoodScientific Name : Buxus sempervirensHardiness Zone : Zones 5 through 9Soil : Loamy ; pH 6.5 to 7.0Light : Full or fond ; some varieties mature in full shadeWater : hebdomadal deep watering initially ; once or twice a month for ripe plantsFood : All - design fertiliser in the springPropagation : Mid - summer fore cuttingsSafety : Potentially toxic to human beings when eaten ; toxic to dog , qat , and horses
BoxwoodCharacteristics
aboriginal to Europe ( where they ’re referred to simply as “ corner ” ) , Asia , Africa , South and Central America , Mexico , and the Caribbean , the boxwood bush is a stylish evergreen . Most get 1 to 6 feet tall , although sometypes of box shrubscan grow up to 20 feet gamy .
Hardy and disease - resistant , boxwood shrubs do n’t require much maintenance other than regular pruning . However , they are slow - grow and dense , so those pruning demands are n’t intensive .
genus Buxus sempervirensgrows in full sun to nigh - full shade . Most are a mysterious green , although there are motley box variety show . Boxwood ’s leathery folio are little , rounded , and densely bundle , which makes them an olympian pick forliving fence , although some gardener trim them into animal shapes or other topiary design .
Photo: istockphoto.com
RecommendedBoxwoodVarieties
There are more than 200 varieties of Turkish boxwood . Here are a few pop types :
PlantingBoxwoods
box care begins with attending to temperature and other shape , as well as planting . With a few important steps in mind , like site pick and timing , a new boxwood can get off to a hardy start .
When is the best time to plant boxwood?
The good clip to plant boxwoods is spring , but late evenfall or tardy winter also can work in many region . These planting times allow the plants to become established and get acclimated to their conditions before temperature become too hot or too stale . Avoid plant box when temperatures are at their most extreme . Heat and drought can stress new planted bush .
Where can boxwood grow?
Each Turkish boxwood variety show has different light needs , but in universal , most need 5 to 6 hours of full sunlight per day , although some do well in partial or full shade . Uneven dispersion of sunshine can cause some boxwood ’s leaves to call on yellow-bellied , especially in the larger miscellanea . Also important is selecting a spot with well - draining soil . Lastly , choose a locating that offers protection from wintertime wind to prevent boxwood bronzing , a yellowish - to - brown bronze - like coloration in leaves .
How do you plant boxwood?
Get boxwood off to a good head start by planting them properly . For the ripe results , fix them for planting and trace up with extra care after they ’re in the earth . When planting Turkish boxwood , respect these crucial footprint :
Can you grow boxwood in containers?
Boxwoods hardy to your local clime can grow well in containers . habituate pots at least double as wide and grandiloquent as the plant ’s root ball for give the roots blank . The container and potting mixture must put up good drainage , and a hole in the bottom of the pot is crucial to allow supererogatory water to enfeeble .
Typically , small boxwoods do best in container . Some nurseryman prune them for a “ Turkish boxwood tree ” flavor . Place containers carry tall kind in areas protected from hint to keep them from tipping over .
shrub in container dry out quicker than those in the ground , so a container - mature box will involve regular lacrimation . Potted boxwood maintenance in winter , however , may ask abridge watering to forbid their root from freezing .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Watering Boxwoods
For the first year or two after planting , boxwood shrubs should receive deep waterings weekly , as long as there is sufficient drainage . box like moist soil , but they do n’t care sloshed feet . If the soil is waterlogged , slim the works ’s irrigation . Once a box matures , it should only demand watering during times of drought or extremely hot , dry weather . other dawning is the best prison term to water . Avoid watering the warmth of the day , when water can disappear faster , and in evening , when soil might not dry out out enough overnight .
Fertilizing Boxwoods
Generally , boxwoods do n’t need fertilizing when engraft in good land with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0 . However , applying an all - aim fertilizer in early spring raise young outgrowth . Select a slow - release , balanced fertilizer for this . Mixing compost mix into the grime can also be good .
Late - fall fecundation is also acceptable because boxwood roots produce most in previous fall , wintertime , and early spring . Avoid fertilize Turkish boxwood shrubs during the summer and other free fall to forbid the onset of new ontogeny toward the season ’s end , as it will be susceptible to price from frost or freeze .
Pruning Boxwoods
Boxwoods can be pass on alone to grow into an cozy shape by trimming the longer branches only , but asseverate a desire embodiment and sizing requires pruning . trim boxwoods for maintenance also involves removing any dead or discredited branches .
It ’s easy to create conformation — loge or orthogonal hedges , balls , and even topiary figures . As for when to cut boxwoods lightly or for material body , the sound time is spring . Pruning boxwoods in the bound encourages young , level-headed growth . For that intellect , stave off pruning this bush after Augustbecause doing so will stimulate growth that wo n’t have prison term to harden off before winter .
In uttermost cases , rejuvenate Turkish boxwood by prune back to within about 1 foot of ground point .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Propagating Boxwoods
Boxwoods can be propagate by rooting stem cuttings acquire in June 21 .
Safety Considerations
All parts of the boxwood flora are toxic — particularly the leaves and sap . Boxwood shrubs pose potential ( but uncommon ) toxicity fortune to people . Boxwood foliage is a mild skin irritant for a little number of people . eat up an overweening amount of box foliage can do vertigo , spasms , respiratory distraint , nausea , vomiting , and diarrhea in hoi polloi , but these reactions are also uncommon .
Turkish boxwood can be toxic to dogs , cats , horses , and other animal if absorb in expectant quantities . However , some farm animal coinage have been known to eat boxwood leaves , which can cause diarrhea , dehydration , excessive salivation , and in extreme cases , seizures or death .
Potential Pests and Diseases
Boxwood blight , a fungus , is perhaps the most mutual disease to come to this showy shrub . chocolate-brown spots with dingy edges look , sometimes with yellow halo . They ordinarily come down , unveil black lesion on the stems . Rapid defoliation come . works are susceptible when foliation remains wet for draw out periods or when humidity is mellow .
Other vernacular boxwood pests admit leaf mineworker , boxwood pinch , and boxwood psyllid , although the damage they do does n’t unremarkably kill the plant . Nematodes are vulgar in the Deep South , whilePhytophthoraroot bunk can occur anywhere there ’s soggy soil .
Preparing Boxwoods for Winter
Because boxwoods can suffer from wintertime bronzing , in which their foliation turns cerise - brown or even yellow due to tip and sun vulnerability , it ’s a just estimate to protect them with an anti - desiccant sprayer in tardy November and January . shelter boxwoods from wind can also help .
Another good estimation is to ascertain the shrub encounter enough water through the arise time of year so the flora is healthy enough to hold up a stale wintertime . Additional preparation include adding a bed of mulch around the plant , taking concern not to brood the crown of the plant . commend that container shape can be cold near boxwood radical and be sure to choose a box that is cold-blooded hardy to a zona or two lower than typical outside wintertime shudder in the realm .
Looking for more shrub melodic theme for the landscape painting ? Check out our tips onfull - Lord’s Day shrubs , landscape gardening bush , andfast - maturate shrubs .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you go down up your first garden — whether that ’s a few mass on your terrace , a raised bed , or an in - land plot out back — and select the correct industrial plant for your soil and region .
