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how far apart should i plant boxwood shrubs

by Zion Jerde Published 4 years ago Updated 3 years ago

  • Keep in mind the size you expect the boxwood to be when it’s fully-grown. There are many different kinds of boxwood, and some of them grow bigger than others.
  • In general, dwarf and English boxwoods should be 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) apart. ...
  • Plan on keeping boxwood at least 7 in (18 cm) from your home and other structures. ...

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.

Full Answer

How much space between boxwoods when planting?

The shrubs need well-drained acidic or neutral soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Boxwoods in continually wet soils often contract root-rot disease. If you're planting the boxwoods as a hedge, the site should be large enough to accommodate an 8-inch spacing between each plant. Till the site to remove roots, rocks and weeds.

How far apart plant boxwoods?

How Far Apart to Plant Boxwoods? Plant Boxwoods 5 feet apart for growing them as single-body ornamental bushes. For a hedge, spacing Boxwoods depends on the cultivar and the hedge type you intend to develop. Dwarf cultivars should be spaced 3 feet apart. Place Common Box 1.5 and 2 feet apart for low and tall hedges, respectively.

How to plant Hosta in front of boxwood?

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Remove Dead or Diseased Branches. Before you begin, you need to inspect each boxwood on its interior and exterior for dead and diseased limbs.
  2. Check the Interior. Next, you need to open up the shrub and clean up any remaining leaves and other debris that may have fallen into the interior.
  3. Thin It. ...
  4. Shape It. ...
  5. Trim the Whole Boxwood. ...

How far apart do you plant dwarf boxwoods?

In order to create a boxwood hedge, space dwarf cultivars about 30 to 36 inches apart, plants for a low hedge 15 to 18 inches apart and plants for a tall hedge about 24 inches apart. Avoid fertilizing boxwood during the first growing season they were planted because the fertilizer can damage their roots.

Can you plant two boxwoods together?

If the intention is to grow a small and formal hedge, plant the boxwoods 6 to 8 inches apart. If using the larger-growing varieties that have taller mature heights, space the plants 18 to 30 inches apart, as recommended by the Purdue Cooperative Extension.

How fast do boxwood shrubs 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.

When should I plant boxwoods?

When to Plant Boxwoods. Shrub planting is best done in spring or summer so that it can get well established before winter. Spring is best because while a new planting is becoming acclimated to its new environment, extreme weather conditions like heat or drought can cause undue stress.7 days ago

How wide does a boxwood shrub grow?

Mature Size. The common boxwood grows to a height of 15–20' and a spread of 15–20' at maturity.

Do boxwoods need lots 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 a week during the shrub's second growing season. Thereafter, watering a boxwood is necessary only during periods of hot, dry weather.
Jun 22, 2021

How do you make boxwoods grow faster?

Tips for Faster Boxwood Growth
  1. Tip One: Choose the Right Variety.
  2. Tip Two: Plant Appropriately.
  3. Tip Three: Water Appropriately.
  4. Tip Four: Space the Plants Correctly.
  5. Tip Five: Cover With Mulching.
  6. Tip Six: Prune for Growth.
  7. Tip Seven: Check Your Soil pH and Fertilize Accordingly.
  8. How can I encourage my boxwood to grow?
Aug 20, 2021

How far should boxwoods be planted from house?

If you prune boxwood regularly, it will not be able to cause significant damage to the house. But nevertheless, it is not necessary to place these plants close to a wall. Plant dwarf boxwood 3-4 feet from the house. For large boxwoods, the distance should be at least 6 feet.Feb 16, 2022

How do you prepare soil for boxwoods?

A basic recipe for woody ornamentals, such as boxwood, includes equal parts composted pine bark, peat moss, sand, perlite and compost. For every 5 gallons of pine bark and peat moss, add 1 1/2 to 6.5 ounces of ground limestone. Sand and perlite are generally neutral, with a 7.0 pH level.

What goes well with boxwood shrubs?

Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Germander, Hosta, and similar plants offer excellent textural contrast to Boxwoods. Choosing low-growing shrubs with lighter foliage colors is also a good option. It is a plus if those shrubs also grow colorful blooms and berries, all the more garden fun.Aug 11, 2021

Can you keep boxwoods small?

They can be kept short and are easily kept from overgrowing onto the walkway. When planting boxwoods along a walkway divide the mature width in half and plant the shrub that far from the edge of the walkway. Most smaller varieties can be kept as small as one foot to 2 feet wide.Jan 20, 2020

How high does boxwood hedge grow?

Most boxwood shrubs will grow anywhere from 1 to 6 feet tall. However, some varieties can grow up to 20 feet tall when mature.

Do boxwoods like full sun?

The boxwood can be grown as a standalone plant, in groups or as a hedge. Furthermore, the boxwood has been used in containers, topiaries and for bonsai purposes. They can thrive in light shade as well as full sun.Aug 3, 2017

Spacing Single Boxwood Bushes

If you’re growing Boxwoods as separate specimen bushes in round or cubic shapes, the distance between each bush matters a lot to the aesthetics of your garden.

Spacing Boxwood Plants in a Hedge

Individual plants grow into each other to form a uniform body. Hedges can be grown in long rows, circles, mazes, and a variety of different shapes.

Boxwoods Planted Around a Building or Wall

Shrubs planted next to walls are also known as foundation shrubs because they cover the foundation of the wall or building.

The Importance of Adequate Spacing

Like all living creatures, plants need air and space to breathe. You can’t cram a lot of plants in a small space and expect everything to go right.

What to do if Boxwoods grow too close to each other?

If you have a pair of Boxwoods growing too close, the best solution is to transplant the smaller plant elsewhere. This is only doable if the plants are smaller than a specific size. If the shrubs are too large, try trimming away the foliage where they are the closest.

What is the best Boxwood variety for growing hedges?

The Dwarf English variety Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’ is best for short, 1-2 feet tall hedges. The ‘Dee Runk’ variety is better suited for tall hedges.

How to plant boxwoods in a well drained soil?

Avoid planting in low-lying areas that tend to collect water or remain wet for extended periods of time. Amend the soil with sulfur or lime to fix the soil pH if required.

What is a boxwood?

Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) are evergreen plants with a dense growth habit widely used for creating hedges and screens in landscapes. The plants come in nearly 160 different registered varieties, of which 115 are available commercially, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension. Boxwoods grow best when provided optimal growth conditions ...

Can boxwoods be propagated?

It is easy to propagate boxwoods with seeds or cuttings. Cuttings root rapidly and grow into exact replicas of the parent plant, while the seed-grown plants often display variations not found in the parent plants. Winter and cold hardiness also differ in the seed-grown plants.

How far apart should I plant boxwoods?

For a taller hedge, perhaps three to four feet tall, allow 18 inches between each plant. For a larger American Boxwood hedge, allow 3-4 feet between each plant. If you are planting your boxwoods as a hedge along the property line, set them back three feet since your neighbor can cut them if they spread into his property.

How do I prepare boxwood for planting?

Preparing the Plant. The evening before you are going to plant, give the pot a good soaking with water. If the root ball is dry when you plant, it may stay that way and cause your boxwood to suffer from dryness even if the surrounding soil is damp.

How to get boxwood roots out of pot?

Removing the Pot. Take your boxwood to the planting hole and slide the pot gently off. You may need to tap the edge a couple of times to release the roots, but it should slide out pretty easily. Usually there will be plenty of roots filling the pot and the root-ball will stay together and not fall apart at all.

How to make boxwood plant base?

If you have dug the soil deeper than that , use your foot to press down the soil in the bottom of the hole, to form a firm base beneath the plant.

What is a boxwood bush?

Boxwood bushes are great plants for making small or medium-sized hedges and also as specimens in the garden. They are often used as part of the planting around the house, as they can be clipped to control their size and turned into balls, cones or other shapes to make your garden interesting.

How do I plant a hedge with boxwood?

For planting a hedge, especially a small one with English Boxwood, remove a trench exactly where you want the hedge. Use a string to get the line straight. Make the trench the same depth as the depth of the pots and space the plants out evenly along the trench.

How often should I water a potted plant?

Remember to water every day or every second day, depending on how warm the weather is – do not let the pot become dry. If it does become very dry, place it in a bucket and half-fill the bucket with water so that the soil can soak completely.

How do I plant boxwoods in front of my house?

A: First, you need to dig a hole in the ground that is deep enough for the roots of the plant. Next, you need to place your plant into the hole and fill it up with soil. Finally, water your plant until it has taken root.

How do you plant boxwoods?

A: Boxwoods are a type of evergreen shrub that can be planted in the ground or in containers. The best time to plant boxwoods is during the spring or fall when they are dormant, but you can also plant them at any other time of the year if you want to grow them indoors.

Why do boxwoods turn yellow?

A: Boxwoods are a type of evergreen shrub, which means that they stay green all year round. However, yellowing can be caused by a number of factors such as the soil pH being too high or low, and/or the plant being over-watered.

Should boxwoods be mulched?

A: Boxwoods are a type of evergreen shrub that can be used as hedges or ornamental plants. They are known to be very hardy and long-lived, but they dont like to be transplanted. If you want to transplant them, it is best to do so in the springtime when the weather is warmer.

How do you prepare soil for shrubs?

A: To prepare soil for shrubs, you should first break up any large clumps of dirt and remove rocks or other debris. You can then dig a hole in the ground that is deep enough to accommodate the shrubs root ball. Next, mix in some compost or organic fertilizer before filling in the hole with the prepared soil.

How do you keep shrubs small?

A: The best way to keep shrubs small is to plant them in a pot. This will allow you to move the pot around, so that the shrub doesnt grow too big. You can also prune your shrub regularly, which will help it stay small.

How to get boxwood roots to grow?

Shovel soil back into the hole, but don’t press down on it. Cover the root ball as much as possible. Make sure the upper 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) of the root ball is above the soil’s surface. Boxwood roots grow at a very shallow depth, so burying the entire root ball could hurt your new plant.

How long can boxwood be kept in a pot?

Get the next biggest pot size available, preferably, so your new plant has some room to spread out. Boxwood can usually be kept in the same pot for up to 3 years.

How to measure root ball size?

Measure the boxwood stem’s width in inches, then multiply it by 16. Dig the hole according to the result.

What is the disease on my boxwood?

Boxwood is prone to boxwood blight, which leaves brown spots and even a white fungus on the leaves and branches. You can use a fungicide and shear off infected spots, but you will have to get rid of the entire plant if the infection is bad. [23]

How to take boxwood out of container?

Once you’re sure the soil is loose in the container, tip it over. Hold onto the boxwood’s stem close to the soil as you pull the plant forward. Slide it out of the container with the root ball intact. When you remove the plant, you will see a big ball of dirt with all the roots mixed in.

Can boxwood survive in full sun?

If you’re growing hedges, try to keep the boxwood in enough sunlight. Choose one of the most sun-tolerant varieties, like Wintergreen boxwood, to survive in full summer sunlight.

What is a boxwood shrub?

Boxwood shrubs are some of the most versatile plants out there. They can provide your lawn with a touch of elegance and texture, and also accentuate existing features you already have. They come in different shapes and sizes and are among the most popular plants in the lawn care professional’s arsenal. Boxwoods are slow-growing, evergreen shrubs ...

Why do boxwoods grow in soggy soil?

Boxwood bushes should be planted in soil that has adequate drainage. Growing them in areas of soggy soil will cause the root ball to be over-saturated. If the root ball finds itself in standing water, the roots will grow weak and fragile.

Why do boxwoods turn yellow?

During the winter months, your boxwoods may begin to turn yellowish-orange or reddish-brown. This “ bronzing ” occurs during the winter months due to exposure to dry winds, frost, or intense sunlight.

What is the pH of boxwood?

Boxwoods thrive in soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline (soil pH range of 7.0 – 7.6). It is a good idea to test your soil pH in any area to ensure it is in ideal condition. When you decide to plant alongside a structure, you should be mindful of how much light of the full sun the bushes will receive.

Do boxwoods grow in the winter?

Boxwoods are slow-growing, evergreen shrubs that can make your lawn look alive even as other vegetation goes dormant for the winter. There are several considerations and steps you should know about how to plant boxwood shrubs in your soil.

Can boxwoods grow too close together?

Many people fall into the allure of the “instant hedge effect” and plant their shrubs too close together in the soil. In the long term, this will compromise the bush’s overall health and its root system. Be patient. The boxwood hedge is slow-growing and will come together in time.

Can you use cottonseed meal for boxwood?

Stick with this NPK content unless your soil shows a specific deficit. You can check out our recommendations for boxwood fertilizers. If your boxwood is healthy and the soil provides plenty of nitrogen, you can also use cottonseed meal or aged manure for fertilization.

How tall does a boxwood plant grow?

Place compact boxwood varieties, such as “Green Pillow” (Buxus microphylla “Green Pillow”), which grows 2 to 3 feet tall and is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9, about 2 feet from your home. Plant a medium-sized boxwood, such as “Edgar Anderson” (Buxus sempervirens “Edgar Anderson”), which grows 5 to 6 feet tall and is hardy in USDA zones 6 ...

What is the best soil for boxwood?

Moist soil year round and good drainage are the optimal conditions for boxwood. These shrubs don’t tolerate drought, and specimens in their first and second growing seasons are even more susceptible to damage than established plants.

When did boxwood shrubs start growing?

How to Plant Boxwood Shrubs Around a House. The Egyptians were the first to garden with boxwood shrubs (Buxus spp.), in about 4,000 B.C. Gardeners favor this tried and true, slow-growing hedge plant for its evergreen foliage, dense branching and amenability to heavy pruning.

Why are boxwoods planted around houses?

Shrubs planted around a house are called foundation shrubs because they mask the foundation and soften the transition from the soil to the structure. Placing boxwood shrubs too close to your home can damage its structure and compromise the shrubs' health. Also, don’t plant the shrubs near downspouts. Place compact boxwood varieties, such as “Green ...

Is Japanese boxwood tolerant of full sun?

Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla japonica) is typically more tolerant of drought and full sun than other varieties. Planting boxwood around a house requires certain considerations.

Can boxwood be grown on the north side?

Therefore, the best side of your house to plant boxwood is usually the north side, followed by the west, east and south sides. If you can’t plant boxwood shrubs on the north side, then choose sun-tolerant cultivars such as the Korean boxwood “Wintergreen” (Buxus sinica variation insularis “Wintergreen”), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9.

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