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Designing With Boxwoods Accentuate a garden gate. The gate may officially mark the entryway to this garden, but a pair of large boxwoods gives the arrival real presence. Add structure to informal gardens. Edge a garden bed. Make a stately entrance. Soften corners. Plant en masse. Plant a room divider. Dissuade deer.
What do you put in front of boxwoods?
Good companion plants with textural contract include thyme, hosta, lady’s mantle, lirope, germander, rosemary or sage. Combine boxwood with low-growing shrubs with yellow or dark-colored foliage. This will add both color and texture. If the shrubs flower or produce berries, that creates even more interest.
Where do you put boxwoods?
Most boxwoods thrive in a mix of sun and shade, and need a little shelter from hot afternoon sun and cold winds. So, be aware of exposure for the spot you choose and make sure the variety you select most likely will thrive there. That includes making sure the soil in the area you choose drains well.
What plants pair well with boxwoods?
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.
Can you put rocks around boxwoods?
Some garden mulches pose hazards to boxwoods. Additionally, gravel, stone chips and sawdust may change the soil’s pH levels, which could be unhealthy for boxwoods unless you also use soil amendments that counter these pH changes.
How do I plant boxwoods in front of my house?
Place a potted boxwood on either side of the front door for a welcoming entrance display that takes far less effort to maintain than seasonal annuals. Plant the boxwoods in a well-drained potting mix and keep the soil moist but not too damp.
How far should boxwoods be planted from house?
Plant dwarf boxwood 3-4 feet from the house. For large boxwoods, the distance should be at least 6 feet.
Are boxwoods high maintenance?
Aside from watering and mulching, growing boxwood is a low maintenance task, unless you wish to keep them as a sheared hedge. Shearing, or pruning of boxwood, is the most time-consuming part of boxwood care when they are grown as a hedge, but you will be rewarded with a healthy, long-lasting hedge.
Do boxwoods smell?
Yes, boxwoods do have a scent; it’s caused when the sun heats the oil in their leaves. I particularly love the smell — it reminds me of happy hours spent in wonderful European gardens, surrounded by brilliant flowers, the hum of bees and the redolence of boxwood.
How tall do boxwood bushes get?
The common boxwood grows to a height of 15–20′ and a spread of 15–20′ at maturity.
Can boxwood be planted in summer?
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.
When should you fertilize boxwoods?
The optimal time to fertilize is in late fall or early spring. Boxwood roots grow the most in late fall, winter, and early spring, when soil temperatures are more moderate. Late summer and early fall fertilization may cause a plant to initiate new growth that may be burned with early fall frosts and freezes.
Are rocks or mulch better for landscaping?
Rocks are great at suffocating weeds and show a better success rate at weed-prevention than mulch. Stone cover is perfect for low-water gardens and landscapes. However, stones aren’t the perfect solution for gardens that may get a lot of sun because they can hold more heat than mulch.
Should mulch touch your house?
To prevent termites from invading your home, ensure the mulch doesn’t touch the exterior of your home specifically door frames and siding. Keep wood mulch six inches from the foundation or perimeter of your home. Close up the space between the exterior walls and flowerbeds using gravel.
Is mulch or stone better for landscaping?
Mulch also allows for better growth for your trees and plants as it reduces water evaporation, prevents weed growth, and adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down over time. Whereas stone may be more expensive, mulch does have a shorter expiration date and will require recurring costs and maintenance.
How far apart should you plant box hedging?
Spacing for hedges Plant common box (Buxus sempervirens) about 30–40cm (12–16in) apart. Compact cultivars, such as B. sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’ and B. microphylla, can be planted 10–15cm (4–6in) apart.
How do I plant shrubs in front of my house?
Provide enough room for full-grown foundation plants. Create a planting area that is 6 to 8 feet wide, or wide enough to incorporate a pleasing selection of foundation plants at maturity. Ensure plants will be at least a foot or so from the building when fully grown. Space young plants with their mature size in mind.
How do you plant boxwoods?
The key to growing any boxwood is to avoid planting too deeply. Boxwoods will not tolerate wet soil, which leads to root rot, which in turn causes foliage to turn brown and die. Plant them to a depth so that their crown (the point at which the roots spread out from the trunk) is an inch or so above the soil surface.
