How to Grow & Plant Boxwood Shrubs the Right Way?

Boxwood shrubs are highly preferred for their low maintenance and landscaping uses. However, in order to ensure a healthy boxwood shrub,  there are certain steps you should follow, such as selecting the proper site to grow the shrub, preparation, and planting. This blog will guide you through how to plant boxwood shrubs and some common mistakes that are often committed while planting boxwood shrubs. The blog also covers the caring tips to boost the growth of the shrub.

What Are Boxwood Shrubs?

Boxwood shrubs are a versatile plant, widely used for landscaping for centuries. These shrubs are deer resistant and their hardiness zone is 5-9, and a few cultivars also grow in zones 5-9, making them a viable choice for various regions. Depending on the variety, Boxwood shrubs differ in shapes (from round, pyramidal to upright) and sizes. It grows between 1-20 feet tall and 2-8 feet wide. The foliage is dense, green and gold, and can be cut easily, making it a good choice for formal hedging and topiaries.

Best Time to Plant Boxwood Shrubs

The best time to plant boxwood shrubs is during the fall. In the fall, the days are hot and the nights are cold, which makes the soil temperature ideal for the proper growth of plant roots. If you plant boxwood shrubs in the fall, the roots settle properly before winter, which helps the plants produce beautiful blooms next spring.

Choosing the Right Location for Boxwoods

• Drainage Needs: Boxwood shrubs grow well in well-drained areas.
• Sunlight Requirements: This shrub grows well in full sun.
• Soil Condition: If your planting location has heavy clay or rocky soil, mix in compost to help water seep through.

Tools And Materials Needed

Here is a list of tools and materials you need to plant boxwood shrubs:

• Boxwood Plants
• Measuring tape
• Wooden or plastic stakes and string
• Auger, tiller, or shovel
• Mulch as per your choice

Step-by-Step Guide to Plant Boxwood Shrubs

Select the Right Spot

The right spot makes a huge difference in the shrub's growth. Identify a spot that gets plenty of sunlight and has good drainage.

Preparing the Plant Hole

The hole for planting boxwood shrubs should be twice as deep and as wide as the boxwood shrubs to allow the roots to spread properly.

Prepare the Root Ball

Gently remove the shrub from its pot and loosen the roots. This step helps expedite the planting process.

Improving the Soil

The next step is to improve the soil. You can do this by adding some compost or soil conditioner to the soil. Improving the soil helps water move through it more easily.

Positioning the Shrub

The next step is to position the shrub. Position the boxwood shrub in such a way that the top of its root ball remains 2-3 inches above the soil line. Rotate the plant so the most beautiful side faces forward, then backfill with soil.

Backfilling and Mulching

Backfill with the soil you took out earlier. For mulching, you can use bark, pine straw, or shredded leaves. Make sure the mulch layer is only 2-3 inches, so it can retain moisture and help regulate soil temperature.

Watering

Provide the shrub with water just after planting. Immediate watering helps the soil to settle around the roots perfectly. Water regularly to keep the soil moisture but make sure that it doesn't get soggy.

How Far Apart Should You Space Boxwood Shrubs?

For hedging, place your boxwood shrubs about half of their mature width apart. For instance, if a plant grows 4 feet wide, you should space plants with their centers 2 feet apart.

If you've a standalone boxwood, consider leaving more space around the plants for better air circulation.

Caring for Newly Planted Boxwoods

Boxwood shrubs take about 2-3 years to get established. It requires proper care and maintenance during their establishment period. However, once boxwood shrubs are established, they require low maintenance.

Here are a few care tips for newly planted boxwoods:

• Water them properly during their growing season. Provide them with 1 inch of water per week, especially during drought.
• Keep a layer of mulch around the plant's roots to retain moisture, but make sure that the stems aren't buried under the mulch.
• Regularly remove the weeds that surround the plant; otherwise they'd not let the boxwood grow to its fullest.
• Give your boxwood shrubs some granular fertilizer during the fall or spring.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planting Boxwoods

Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid while planting boxwood shrubs:

Overwatering - Watering your plants is necessary, but overwatering can cause root rot. Water boxwood shrubs only when the top few inches of soil get dry.

Poor Drainage - This is one of the common mistakes that people make while planting. Any plant, including boxwood shrubs, should be planted in a pot with drainage holes in it; otherwise, poor drainage may cause damage to the leaves and roots.

Incorrect Spacing -The right spacing of your boxwoods is another important factor to consider. There should be enough space between plants to promote optimum growth. Overcrowding may cause stunted growth of the plant.

Planting Too Deeply - People often make this mistake of planting boxwood shrubs too deeply, while they need to be planted in a wide hole. Roots of boxwood shrubs grow wider and not deeper; therefore, consider digging a wider hole.

Tips For Healthy Long Term-Growth

Pruning Tips

The best time for pruning your boxwood shrubs is late spring to early summer. Pruning helps enhance shape and ensures proper airflow.

1. Firstly, remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
2. Do not use a blunt pruning tool. Use a sharp and clean pruner.
3. Trim a few branches from inside for better light penetration and airflow.
4. Don't repeatedly cut just the outer layer.
5. Avoid excessive pruning during late summer or fall.
6. If you want to reshape your overgrown boxwood, prune it at regular intervals.

Pest Prevention Tips

Pest prevention is another important step in the maintenance of boxwood shrubs. Signs of pest infestation in boxwoods include blistered and yellowish leaves, curly growth, or deterioration.

1. Proper spacing, sanitation, drainage, and proper airflow is must to prevent pests.
2. Avoid  pouring water directly over the boxwoods.
3. Clean fallen leaves.

Seasonal Maintenance

1. Check the soil if it's dry, especially when you expect the first frost. If the soil is dry, water them.
2. Provide special care to your boxwoods during winter by covering the roots with a thick layer of leaves or wrapping them in burlap.

Conclusion

Planting boxwood shrubs isn't a very tough task. Once they're settled, they become a long-term, low-maintenance beauty for your yard. Boxwoods require your care during their growing stage. From soil preparation to pruning, boxwoods require just some basic care to grow up.