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Check newly planted boxwoods. The
summer can be a very stressful time for boxwoods planted during the spring. Check to
determine whether they are stressed as indicated by dieback, off-color in the foliage, or
a crispy feel to the leaves.
Unfortunately, if any of these conditions exist to a great extent the plant may already be
terminal. Nevertheless, immediate action should be taken. First, checking the soil
condition will determine whether ample moisture is present (see watering below).
Secondly, if the plants have not been thinned, plucking may be helpful to reestablish the
balance between the root system and the foliage. Remove any dead wood as this will not
produce any new leaves. If a branch bends but does not snap, do not remove it because it
is not dead. Thirdly, shading the plants with burlap to protect from the hot mid-day, and
afternoon sun will provide a cooler environment for the plant to recover.
Watering The water needs of boxwood are a function of a number of
factors. Sandy soil will not hold water as long as clay soil. Plants in the shade will not
need as much water as those in direct sun. Plants which experience reflected heat from
walls will need more water than those in cooler environments. The key point is to water
deeply. A soaker hose laid along or around plants is an excellent way to water deeply and
simultaneously conserve water. Alternately, a hose laid at the base of a plant to drip for
a period of time is very satisfactory. Standing and watering by hand is not satisfactory
because most people do not have the patience or time to thoroughly saturate the ground.
Larger plants need a larger area watered and proportionally more water, consequently more
time is needed for a slow thorough soaking. Watering needs are lessened by mulching. Newly
planted boxwoods going through their first summer have greater water needs since the root
system is not completely established. A soaker hose covered in mulch both conserves
valuable moisture and provides a pleasing appearance.
When a boxwood is stressed from lack of water there is a considerable time delay before
the plant actually looks like it is stressed. Therefore, assessing water needs on the
basis of the appearance of the plant is unsatisfactory. The only reliable way to determine
whether there is sufficient moisture present is to assess the moisture condition of the
ground around the plant, being careful to avoid damaging the roots.
Cultivation and weed control Boxwood roots are very shallow so digging
around the base of plants should be avoided. Hand pull grass or weeds when the soil is
moist in order to minimize soil disturbance. Again, mulching is beneficial and an
excellent way to control weeds.
Thinning, propagation, and cleaning The best time to thin plants is late
winter before new growth, but it may still be done during the summer without harm.
See PLUCKING paper. Summer is an excellent
time to propagate. See PROPAGATION paper for a detailed
description of this topic. This may be done anytime after the new growth has
thoroughly hardened off (about July 1). Cleaning the inside of plants is important
in maintaining them in a healthy, disease free condition because debris which accumulates
in boxwoods holds moisture. The moisture leads to aerial roots and a positive environment
for the growth of disease. A strong water hose spray directed throughout the interior of
the plant is usually sufficient to clean the plant and summer is an excellent time to
perform this preventative maintenance.
Stephen D. Southall
English Boxwoods of Virginia