korean boxwood bushes

How big do Korean boxwoods get?

The Korean boxwood grows to a height of around 2' and a spread of 4–6' at maturity.

How do you prune Korean boxwoods?

As a rule of thumb, prune your boxwood lightly once or twice a year to achieve the desired shape, whether it's a natural look, squared off hedge or topiary form. To prune, use either hand pruners or pluck or break stems with your fingers. Prune the entire hedge, including tops and sides.

Do boxwoods need sun or shade?

They prefer well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline. Mulchwith an inch or so of chopped leaves to help keep soil cool (but don't heap mulch against the stems). Once established, boxwood shrubs are very drought-tolerant. Most cultivars will grow in full sun to a half day of shade.

How fast do sprinter boxwoods grow?

This tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

What is the best time to plant boxwoods?

You can plant boxwood in fall, late winter or early spring. Fall often is best for planting to give the roots time to take hold before winter cold sets in. But as long as you avoid planting during the heat of summer or cold of winter, your boxwood should do fine in fall or spring.

Which boxwood is best for a hedge?

The English boxwood is a dwarf variety of the same species, Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'. It has denser growth, is slower growing and takes years to reach 3 or 4 feet in height. It is the perfect choice for a low hedge, 8 to 18 inches tall, that could edge flower beds or pathways.

Will boxwoods grow back?

"Boxwoods can be cut back pretty dramatically and they'll re-grow nicely. That's not true of all evergreens. ... But most evergreens with random branching—like boxwood, arborvitae, junipers and yews—will develop new growth in areas cut completely back.

What time of year do you trim box hedges?

When should I prune my box hedge? You need to prune a buxus plant at least twice a year, but for the best results you should trim them four times a year. The best time to do this is at the end of May. The second time should be the beginning of September.

Should boxwoods be trimmed?

Boxwoods can be trimmed at any time of year, but, for plant health, it's best to avoid shearing in the late fall. The new growth that appears after trimming boxwood bushes may not have time to harden off before frost. Shearing or trimming may be done with hand shears or with electric hedge clippers.

Do boxwoods need a lot of water?

Watering Boxwood Shrubs

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

Can boxwoods take full sun?

Prune back all dying branches to healthy wood, remove all debris from the center of the plant, and thin out some of the outside growth so that air and light can reach the center. Exposure: Boxwoods thrive in full sun or light shade, but they don't like exposed, very windy sites, particularly in winter.

Do boxwoods stay green all year?

A. Many varieties of boxwood retain their green color during the winter months; others will turn off-color. ... Some boxwoods that are prized for retaining their green color throughout most winters are 'Wintergreen', 'Green Velvet', 'Green Mountain', and 'Glencoe'.

Where do boxwoods grow best?

Boxwoods are adapted to a wide range of light conditions. They tolerate heavy shade but will grow in full sun if the roots are in a good soil environment. Boxwoods should only be planted in well-drained soils. Never plant them near downspouts or in any area that stays wet.

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 can I encourage my boxwood to grow?

The key to growing any boxwood is to avoid planting too deeply. Boxwoods will not tolerate wet soil, which leads to root rot, which in turn causes foliage to turn brown and die. Plant them to a depth so that their crown (the point at which the roots spread out from the trunk) is an inch or so above the soil surface.

How far away should you plant shrubs from your 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.

Are boxwoods expensive?

What makes boxwood so well suited to topiary creations is its dense evergreen foliage and its slow growth, around 4 inches (10 cm) a year. This slow growth explains why shaped boxwood is often so expensive: 5 years are needed to produce a ball and up to 10 for a pyramid!

How do you keep boxwoods healthy?

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. In fall and spring, rake away any fallen leaf material to control disease organisms and replenish mulch as needed to maintain good cover.

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 most hardy boxwood?

insularis are considered the hardiest of all boxwood. Buxus semper. virens, common box, is hardy to zone 6 (Krussmann 1984) and has a greater stature than the preceding species. The large, dark green leaves remain evergreen all year.

How long does it take for boxwoods to grow?

How fast do boxwood grow? Overall, boxwood has a very slow growth rate that's typically 6 inches or less per year. Boxwoods can be broken down into growth rates of slow, medium and fast — although keep in mind that even the fast growth rate of boxwood varieties is quite slow in comparison to other landscape shrubs.