Boxwood plants (Buxus) are dense, evergreen shrubs that are commonly planted in formal landscapes and homes. These shrubs come in many cultivars and varieties. The foliage of Boxwood shrubs is prominent and has so many uses, and that is the main reason why people grow Boxwood. You can grow Boxwood as a formal hedge, a matching border, or to balance an entryway with a pair of matching plants. It is also useful as a focal point for foundation planting. The benefits of Boxwood are limitless, which is why we advise you to plant it. A number of reputable companies sell them, and the boxwood plantation price is generally affordable. You can therefore easily buy them. This blog will teach you how to care for the Boxwood plant so that it will survive for a long time.
How To Take Care Of Boxwood?
The versatility of Boxwood in the landscape makes it a beloved plant. Boxwood provides structure and color to the garden throughout the year with its strong form and bright evergreen foliage. Following these tips will help you keep your Boxwood looking great all year round.
Choose The Right Location
Maintaining healthy plants requires the right placement of Boxwood. A semi-shaded area or full sun condition is ideal for Boxwood. Afternoon shade is beneficial to plants in hot climates. Plant boxwood in a location that will be protected from dry winter winds to prevent damage.
Ensure Proper Drainage
Plants of the boxwood family do well in a variety of soil conditions, whether acidic, alkaline, rich, or infertile. Good drainage is essential for healthy boxwood. The plants cannot tolerate wet roots. By amending the soil with organic matter or by planting it on a berm, you can improve drainage.
You should avoid planting it in areas that are wet, such as alongside downspouts or low spots on the landscape. Moreover, You can also plant it in containers. You have to ensure that the container has good drainage to prevent root rot.
Keep Boxwood Roots Healthy
A shallow root system makes boxwood plants easily prone to drying out. Planting at the proper depth is the first step to maintaining a healthy root system. Make sure the root ball is just an eighth inch above the soil surface when you set your plants. That way, they can settle properly without becoming too deeply buried.
Keep roots cool by applying a two- to three-inch layer of mulch. Make sure that the mulch layer extends at least one foot beyond the canopy of the plant. You should remove fallen leaves in the fall and spring in order to control disease organisms and replace mulch as needed in order to maintain good health.
Boxwood Pruning By Thinning
With today’s diverse selection of boxwood varieties, dense branching and compact growth can be achieved without heavy shearing. The new selections are a healthier alternative to maintaining rounded forms through shearing. Shearing reduces airflow, shades plant interiors, and weakens branches, which can all lead to disease. Rather than shearing, the recommended method of pruning both compact and larger varieties of Boxwood is thinning.
When trimming, pay attention to plant material that is damaged. As soon as you notice damaged, dying, or diseased branches, remove them immediately. It will help prevent disease organisms from spreading. Remove some of the oldest branches from the shrub each year to maintain good light penetration. The foliage and debris accumulated among the branches of the Boxwood should be removed.
Boxwood Protection During Winter
During winter, Boxwood foliage can turn yellow-orange to reddish-brown due to dry winds, frost, and intense sunlight. This problem in plants is known as bronzing. Some improved varieties retain color well in winter, but a little protection can help prevent bronzing. Avoiding wind exposure during winters is essential to limit bronzing.
You can use burlap wraps or windbreaks to protect foliage on planting sites that do not offer protection. Reduce bronzing by watering plants before freezing temperatures. Maintain a three-inch mulch layer throughout fall and winter to insulate roots and conserve soil moisture.
Take Care While Watering Boxwood
The practice of overwatering causes root diseases, while underwatering stresses plants, making them more susceptible to pests. Therefore, you should water the plants slowly and deeply only when necessary.
Freshly planted boxwoods require regular irrigation in the first year. After that, if the weather is hot and dry, irrigation may be necessary as often as weekly. Plants in their second year are still developing a healthy root system, so if rainfall is insufficient, they will still need to be watered. When established, Boxwood requires only supplemental irrigation in dry weather.
Fertilize Boxwood If Necessary
A garden’s fertilization needs vary depending on its soil type. Test your soil before fertilizing it. Appropriate fertilization promotes strong growth while reducing pest problems. When phosphorus and potassium are deficient, Boxwood responds well to nitrogen applications in spring.
It is important to remember that Boxwood has wide, shallow roots that can be damaged by overfertilization. Therefore, make sure to fertilize the entire root zone of the plant, extending beyond the crown. Don’t let fertilizer come in direct contact with foliage, trunks, or roots.
Final Words
That was all about care tips for Boxwood! First, it is important to plant boxwoods in an appropriate spot for their needs. For optimal growth, this specimen needs full or partial sun. Growing Boxwood requires well-drained soil, and while it prefers organic soil, Boxwood is adaptable to different soil types.
Consider your year-round climate when planting Boxwood. If the temperature becomes extremely hot during the summer, boxwood plants will benefit from afternoon shade and regular watering. You should water deeply, as frequent, shallow irrigation won’t reach the root zone. Boxwoods require at least weekly watering, especially in the early years. Mountain bamboo is an excellent complement to Boxwood. Like Boxwood, mountain bamboo plants have many uses. They are both useful and have their own reasons to be planted.
