How big does a boxwood tree get?
Boxwood varieties come in a range of shapes including rounded, upright, pyramidal or spreading, with sizes ranging from 1-20 feet tall and 2-8 feet wide, depending on the variety. Boxwood hardiness zone is generally from 5-9, though a few cultivars are hardy to zone 4. The American boxwood is a spreading shrub or small tree that can grow quite large if not pruned and can be easily shaped into form.How Fast Does The American Boxwood Grow? Generally 3-5 inches a year and is a favorite among fast growing evergreen shrubs that reach a mature height of 10-15 feet and 6-10 feet in width.Avoid planting in winter. For hedges and foundation plantings, space the smaller Wintergreen boxwoods about 2-3 feet apart and the larger Korean boxwoods 3-4 feet apart. For tall hedges, place them a little farther apart; closer together for lower hedges. Japanese boxwood spacing should be at least 5-6 feet apart.Planting boxwoods is an excellent way to set a hedge or specimen plant to take sun or bring shade to the landscape. Mature growth is around 5′ tall x 3′ wide, but can be maintained at almost any size with regular pruning.
Why does boxwood smell?
In fact, unbeknownst to many, boxwood shrubs produce tiny, inconspicuous blooms – normally in late spring. These flowers, especially in English varieties, may occasionally emit the unpleasant odor that so many people notice. Boxwoods are best planted in loamy soil in a full-sun to part-shade location, preferably in an area somewhat sheltered from winds. Their roots are shallow, so the soil must be protected from the heat. Maintain a layer of organic garden mulch, three inches thick around each plant but two inches away from the trunks.Boxwoods, with its many species and cultivars, are broad-leaved evergreen shrubs mostly used as foundation planting and backdrops for planting beds and formal gardens. Unfortunately they are often susceptible to several pests like leafminers, psyllids and boxwood blight disease.All boxwood will do well in shady areas, but too much shade and little air movement can make a site susceptible to Boxwood Blight. Some of those same cultivars will also do well in part-sun or sunny locations. Sunny locations are those areas with bright sun from morning to afternoon.American boxwoods are cold tolerant, with leaves that are rather long ovals with more pointed tips. English boxwoods are a dwarf variety. They are dense with more oval leaves. Japanese boxwoods are very adaptable and are typically very heat tolerant.Do boxwoods like sun or shade? They prefer partial or dappled shade, but can tolerate full sun — short of scorching mid-day sun. Overexposure to sun causes burning and bronzing of foliage. If planting in a brighter location, look for varieties that may be more tolerant of sun, such as ‘Morris Midget’.
Is boxwood toxic to humans?
Whole boxwood leaf can cause poisoning, including life-threatening side effects such as seizures and paralysis. It can also cause death. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s LIKELY UNSAFE to use whole boxwood leaf, whether or not you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Boxwood, if ingested, is poisonous to dogs. The Alkaloids in the plant are what cause issues. However, dogs very rarely will eat enough of the plant to cause any problems. Some symptoms of boxwood poisoning in dogs are vomiting and diarrhea.While most boxwood leaves are damaged from dog pee, if the leaf is freshly unfurled (in the spring for instance), it is softer, and more susceptible to urine damage. If the leaf has hardened off (which happens in mid summer) there will be less damage.Yes, some varieties of boxwood shrubs can emit an unpleasant odor, often described as smelling like cat or dog urine, especially when they are older or after pruning. This is a common issue with certain English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) cultivars.Boxwood shrubs that are pruned in late summer or fall are more likely to be damaged, sometimes to the point of death, during the winter. The tender new growth is vulnerable to freezing temperatures. There is one exception to the spring pruning rule for boxwood—dead, damaged, or diseased wood.
What is boxwood wood good for?
Common Uses: Boxwood is well-suited for carving and turning, and the tree’s diminutive size restricts it to smaller projects. Some common uses for Boxwood include: carvings, chess pieces, musical instruments (flutes, recorders, woodwinds, etc. The best plants to grow with boxwood are plants that prefer neutral, well-drained soil. Grow boxwood with flowering shrubs and perennials such as lilacs, roses, ninebark, spirea, peonies, hellebores, tulips, and daffodils for a colorful landscape.Low Maintenance: Generally, Boxwood shrubs are low-maintenance once established. They require minimal pruning and are drought-tolerant once their root systems are established.Availability: Boxwood shrubs may be more expensive if they are not readily available in your area or if they are rare or exotic varieties.Boxwood is an evergreen shrub with dense, broadleaf evergreen foliage that has been popular in landscaping since ancient times. There are over 100 types of boxwood plants, making this a versatile option for your landscape yard. Not only that, boxwood shrubs are low-maintenance, making care a breeze.
Why is boxwood expensive?
Boxwood is expensive. It takes a long time to grow from cutting into saleable size, so it is proportionally more expensive than many other shrubs. Many consider common boxwood and English boxwood to be the most attractive varieties for plant form and leaf but they are also the most disease-prone.Boxwoods do well in most neutral soil types (somewhere between a 6. H) but the real non-negotiable is drainage. These plants hate sitting in water and are prone to root rot if the soil stays too wet. So picking the right spot is key.Boxwoods are tough shrubs. With thoughtful plant placement and proper care going into the winter months, you can prevent winter damage and keep your plants healthy all year round.Exposure: Boxwoods thrive in full sun or light shade, but they don’t like exposed, very windy sites, particularly in winter. Protect boxwoods by keeping them vigorous and healthy, watered as needed in late and apply a fresh layer of mulch in fall to help prevent winter damage.