removing boxwood shrubs

Place a garden shovel approximately 2 feet from the base of the boxwood and dig straight down. Gradually work your way around the boxwood, creating a trench that surrounds the shrub. Remove as much soil from the base of the plant as possible, exposing the root ball.

Do boxwood bushes have deep roots?

Boxwood do not have deep roots but it is necessary to get a solid ball. A spade with a face approximately 16″ long should be used in order to get the depth of root ball desired on larger plants.

Do boxwoods have invasive roots?

Boxwood roots are shallow and invasive. Because they compete vigorously with neighboring plants for the nutrition in the soil, do not plant ground cover plants nearby.

Will boxwood grow back after pruning?

"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.

Can you dig up and replant boxwoods?

Large, well-established boxwoods can be transplanted if you can dig out enough of the rootball. ... The best time to transplant is either late winter just before spring growth begins, or a couple of months before the ground freezes in early fall.

How hard is it to dig up boxwoods?

Boxwood shrubs have shallow roots, so they are relatively easy to dig or pull up with the correct tools. When the shrub is intended for transplant, use a pointed shovel to dig up the root mass and cleanly sever outer roots with a sharp spade or loppers.

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.

Should you plant shrubs next to House?

Don't: Plant shrubs too close to the house.

Moisture deteriorates exterior cladding – The single biggest issue with regards to shrubbery growing near or on the structure is moisture, which will accelerate deterioration of practically any type of exterior cladding.

How far should shrubs be from 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.

How far should boxwoods be planted from house?

Keep them about 7 feet from your home and other structures. To determine the minimum distance, figure out how wide the boxwood will be when it is fully-grown, then divide that number by half. If your boxwood will be 15 feet wide, then it should be at least 7 feet from your home.

What time of year do you prune boxwoods?

Early spring, before boxwood begin to flush, is the best time of year to prune. Any old winter color, or tips that have been burned over the winter season, can be trimmed away and will disappear after the spring flush.

How do you prune overgrown boxwood shrubs?

Trim your boxwood in spring after new leaves have a chance to harden off. Do not cut away fresh, new foliage. Only remove stem tips on overgrown branches using gardening shears. If you have a boxwood that has been neglected over the years, trim excessively long stems and allow the shrub to rest until next spring.

What is the lifespan of a boxwood?

Common Boxwood Lifespan: 20-30 Years.

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.

When can I transplant boxwood shrubs?

When given proper care, boxwood shrubs often respond well to early spring transplanting. The best time for spring transplanting is as soon as all danger of frost has passed or as the ground warms up but before new growth begins to emerge on your boxwood shrub. In some areas, this could be as early as February.

How do you move bushes without killing them?

How to Move Your Garden Without Killing Your Plants

If you are able, choose the season you move.
Mark where everything is going to go first.
Pot, bucket or burlap: get the transportation ready.
Use a special watering schedule for soon to be in-transit plants.
Trim excess stems.
Dig up using the drip line.
Re-plant (the right way).
Reduce stress on the plants.

How do you pull out a large shrub?

Removing Shrubs by Hand

Measure 20 inches from the soil and cut off all branches above that height with sharp pruning shears or a saw, depending on how thick the branches are.
Cut off most of the branches that are growing directly from the trunk. ...
Dig around the overgrown shrub's main trunk.

What can replace boxwoods?

Boxwood Alternatives

Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra) If you want to replicate the look of boxwood shrubs, you will love inkberry holly. ...
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) Another evergreen, boxwood look-alike, is Japanese holly. ...
Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) ...
Juniper.

How do you dig up large boxwoods?

Use a sharp spade to dig out a trench 4-6 inches wide and 8-10 inches deep all around the boxwood. The trench should be no closer than 6-8 inches from the trunk, depending on the plant's size. Once you've dug that, start digging beneath the root ball, until you finally sever its connection to the soil.

What shrubs go well with boxwoods?

Good companion plants with textural contract include thyme, hosta, lady's mantle, lirope, germander, rosemary or sage. Combine boxwood with low-growing shrubs with yellow or dark-colored foliage.

Are boxwood shrubs fast growing?

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.

Are boxwood shrubs poisonous to dogs?

The Boxwood Tree is from the Buxaceae plant family, and contains alkaloids, which are toxic to dogs. While the entire plant is toxic, the leaves are especially poisonous to dogs and other small animals.