how to trim boxwoods into a hedge

1. How far back can you trim boxwoods?
2. What is the best time to trim boxwood shrubs?
3. How close do you plant boxwoods to make a hedge?
4. Can boxwoods be cut back hard?
5. Can you trim a boxwood too much?
6. What is the best fertilizer for boxwoods?
7. How do you take care of a boxwood shrub?
8. How long does a boxwood live?
9. Can you cut boxwood to the ground?
10. When should you trim shrubs and bushes?
11. What happens if you plant shrubs too close together?
12. What is the best boxwood for a hedge?
13. How far should bushes be from the house?
14. How do you get rid of overgrown boxwoods?
15. How do you prune a damaged boxwood?
16. Why did my boxwood turn brown after trimming?
17. Is Miracle Gro good for boxwoods?
18. Is Epsom salt good for boxwoods?
19. How often should you water boxwoods?

How far back can you trim boxwoods?

The common boxwood reaches 8 to 20 feet tall, but is generally 6 to 8 feet tall at maturity. You can safely remove 2 to 3 feet of height at one time on taller specimens when the length doesn't represent more than one-third of its height; if it does, make the cuts over several seasons.

What is the best time to trim boxwood shrubs?

Buxus 'Dee Runk' before annual pruning. The same Buxus 'Dee Runk' after annual pruning. As mentioned above, the best time to prune boxwood is in the late winter to early spring, before the plant breaks dormancy and begins flushing.

How close do you plant boxwoods to make a hedge?

Place the plants 2 feet apart. Those dwarf varieties that should be 2 to 3 feet apart for a grouping or row of individual plants should be squeezed to more like 15 or 18 inches apart for a low hedge. Use a tape measure and string or spray paint to mark the line of your hedge.

Can boxwoods be cut back hard?

"Boxwoods can be cut back pretty dramatically and they'll re-grow nicely. ... "But because boxwoods are very prone to winter damage, you want to time their pruning—especially a hard pruning—carefully. The best time is that period where the end of winter meets the beginning of Spring, just before the new growth appears.

Can you trim a boxwood too much?

Excessive shearing can produce growth so dense on the outside of your shrub that it will prevent light from reaching the center of the bush and leave the inner branches bare. Removal of larger branches or pruning boxwoods is used to remove diseased or dying branches or to refurbish plants that are past their prime.

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.

How do you take care of a boxwood shrub?

How to Care for Boxwood

1. Provide Adequate Drainage. Boxwood plants tolerate a variety of soils, whether acidic or alkaline, rich or infertile. ...
2. Protect Boxwood Roots. Boxwood plants have a shallow root system that can easily dry out. ...
3. Prune Boxwood by Thinning. ...
4. Winter Protection for Boxwood. ...
5. Water Boxwood Wisely. ...
6. Fertilize Boxwood as Needed.

How long does a boxwood live?

Yes, I've seen similar declines in older hedges of boxwood needing replacement. 20-30 years seems to be their lifespan.

Can you cut boxwood to the ground?

It's Time to Go

If removal is your only option, cutting a boxwood down to the ground likely will kill it. Boxwoods do not respond well to severe pruning. ... But after cutting it to the ground, the shrub could start to grow again from the stump, which will require regular removal of the new sprouts.

When should you trim shrubs and bushes?

The best time to rejuvenate large, overgrown shrubs is late winter or early spring (March or early April). Heavy pruning in late winter or early spring will reduce or eliminate the flower display for 2 or 3 years. However, rejuvenation pruning will restore the health of the shrubs.

What happens if you plant shrubs too close together?

Shrubs and trees that outgrow their space often have trouble getting the nutrients they need and therefore become more susceptible to pest and disease problems.

What is the best boxwood for a hedge?

If you want a small, compact, low-growing shrub to form a hedge that serves as an accent or border along your walkway, fence line or planting beds, dwarf boxwood varieties are the best pick. The "Dwarf English" boxwood (Buxus sempervirens “Suffruticosa”) creates a border hedge approximately 1 to 2 feet in height.

How far should bushes be from the house?

Small shrubs should be planted at least 2 feet from a house foundation, medium shrubs about 3 feet and tall shrubs 4 to 5 feet away. An 8-foot shrub next to a six foot shrub should be spaced about 7 feet apart. Spacing plants in hedges is another matter.

How do you get rid of overgrown boxwoods?

Cut the boxwood stump as close to the soil surface as possible and apply a herbicide immediately after cutting. Brush or spray a concentrated herbicide, like glyphosate, onto the cut surface. When new sprouts emerge, cut them back and apply a herbicide to the cut surface.

How do you prune a damaged boxwood?

Pruning Techniques

Whether responding to damage or simply shaping, clip off twigs one by one to maintain the shape and open the canopy. You can prune boxwood at any time of year except for the six weeks leading up to the first predicted frost, according to North Carolina State University.

Why did my boxwood turn brown after trimming?

Sometimes, the root systems of boxwood shrubs get infected with fungal pathogens like Phytophthora. When root rot becomes serious, it'll manifest as yellowing leaves that curl inward and turn up, and the plant will grow poorly. Really serious root rot may move into the crown, discoloring the wood near the plant's base.

Is Miracle Gro good for boxwoods?

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

Is Epsom salt good for boxwoods?

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. Mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts into a gallon of water and use a hand or pump sprayer to apply the mixture directly to the boxwood's foliage.

How often should you water boxwoods?

How Often to Water Boxwoods

1. 1 inch of water per week for new plants.
2. Minimal watering is necessary for established boxwood.
3. Ensure soil is well drained.
4. Apply 1 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture.
5. More water does not increase growth rate.