Archive for February, 2013

Deer Resistance

Wonderful news for you and your garden – deer absolutely HATE English boxwood. Many of you know of the wonderful aroma that an English boxwood has, well that is apparently what repels them. Our home is at the end of a street and there are woods on three sides of us – a wonderful playground for deer. In the 30…read more →

Instructions: Soil Sample

It is very important to sample the soil to determine the level of nutrients and even more importantly to determine the pH. Without the proper pH, boxwood are not able to absorb the nutrients, even if they are abundant in the ground. I have outlined the steps below in taking a sample and sending it to the VA Tech Extension…read more →

Propagation / Rooting

There are two optimal times of the year to root English Boxwood.  Late February / early March is an excellent time after the major freezes of winter are over and before any new growth comes out in the spring. The other optimal rooting period is late June or early July after the new growth has matured. Our experience of rooting at…read more →

“Proper Plucking” – No, not Chickens – Boxwood

Plucking, the selected removal of stems from boxwood to facilitate air circulation, light penetration and inner growth of leaves, is an integral part of any preventative maintenance program for boxwood.  In addition to fostering the health of the parent plant, plucking provides a source of cuttings for propagation.  See “propagation/rooting.” This paper will focus on the process and benefits of plucking. In…read more →

Digging / Planting Boxwood

Background: As with most tasks, the adequacy and thoroughness of the preparations determine to a great extent the successfulness of the venture. Boxwood have a root system which is very conducive to transplanting. It is fibrous, slightly larger than the drip line of the plant, with a depth of approximately one third the height of the plant.  The most ideal time…read more →