Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and endlessly versatile in garden design, this evergreen favorite earns its keep.
Boxwood has a long history in garden design, from ancient Rome to modern-day suburbia.
Paired with ornamental grasses and flowering perennials, these elegant shrubs can look informal and entirely new.
A combination of low-growing boxwood hedges, conical columns, and shapely globes gives garden designer Jon Carloftis’ Kentucky yard its traditional look.Credit: Gabriela Herman
Another recent shift in the world ofboxwood(Buxusspp.)
is in the approach to care.
Conditions
Boxwood thrives infull sun to part shade.
Laying a drop cloth or tarp down around the base of the boxwood before pruning will make cleanup easier.Credit: Marty Baldwin
Those in full shade won’t grow as vigorously.
Plants in full sun, particularly in hot inland areas, can be at risk of scorching.
Hardiness depends on variety, but mostgrow in Zones 5-9.
Credit: Marion Brenner
Drainage
Plant inloose, quick-draining soil.
Boxwood don’t like soggy soil.
Amend heavy clay soils with sand before planting.
Credit: Marion Brenner
Spacing
Spacing needs vary depending on mature size of the cultivar.
Avoid planting too tightly, which crowds their shallow roots and prevents air circulation.
Check theplant tagsand err on the side of more room.
Credit: Marion Brenner
After that, keep an eye on the plant and the soil, Filippone says.
In general, aim to water the root ball well, then allow soil to dry out between waterings.
Keeppotted boxwood on drip irrigation, if possible, because soil can dry out quickly.
Credit: Gabriela Herman
Fertilizer
Filippone recommends using onlyorganic fertilizers, such as compostor compost tea, to create healthy plants.
That dark environmentencourages pestsand disease.
Remove the clipped branches as well as any dead twigs.
Dealing with Boxwood Blight
Boxwood blight can be devastating.
It starts as dark spots on leaves, which then brown and fall off the branches.
The disease can quickly spread to nearby boxwood.
Plant onlycultivars known to be less susceptible to blight, and avoid the especially problematic ‘Suffruticosa’ English boxwood.
Dispose of infected plants and the soil around it in trash bags; don’t compost.
Container Accents
Keep it simple with topiary boxwood inclassic terra-cotta containers.
Tip: Use tall potted boxwood to frame a stairway or path.
Architectural Shapes
Strong pyramidal forms softened by grassy perennials created an unexpectedfoundation plantingby Jon Carloftis.
