What are the disadvantages of boxwoods?
Boxwood (Buxus sempervrens, microphylla, etc. Leaf Minors, Leaf Curlers, Spider Mites, Psyllid, Volutella and Phytophora fungal blights, Nematodes, too much water on overhead sprinklers, or too little water, winter damage, frozen soils, heavy soils, Boxwood Decline and most recently, . Low Maintenance: Generally, Boxwood shrubs are low-maintenance once established. They require minimal pruning and are drought-tolerant once their root systems are established.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.It is very important that newly planted boxwood be watered thoroughly at the time of installation. For the next year or so, new boxwood should receive approximately one inch of precipitation or irrigation per week paying most attention to hot summer months or times of drought.
Why do boxwoods smell so bad?
Here’s a more detailed explanation: The Odor: The smell is caused by oils in the boxwood leaves that are released when heated by the sun. English Boxwood: The English boxwood, or Buxus sempervirens, is the most commonly associated with the cat urine smell. More specifically, people complain about boxwood bushes that smell like cat urine. The English boxwood seems to be the main culprit. To be fair, the odor has also been described as resinous, and a resinous scent certainly isn’t a bad thing.
Do boxwoods stay green in winter?
Many varieties of boxwood retain their green color during the winter months; others will turn off-color. The degree of color change in some species will vary between winters. Boxwood performs best in full sun to part shade conditions. In hot climates, plants benefit from afternoon shade. Boxwood is susceptible to damage from dry winter winds; plant in a location where it will be protected.Exposure: Boxwoods thrive in full sun or light shade, but they don’t like exposed, very windy sites, particularly in winter.It is best to prepare boxwood for winter with a nice layer of mulch, making sure the crown of the plant is not planted or covered too deeply. Moderate winter snowfall can also insulate the plant through the winter. Very large or heavy snowfall should be removed from the plant to not cause breakage or other damage.With corrective pruning and proper care, plants can recover from all but the most severe damage. Learn the best time and technique to trim winter-burned boxwood plants and set them on a path to recovery.Boxwood prefers partial or dappled shade, with at least 4-6 hours of direct sun per day. Provide protection from hot afternoon sun.
Are boxwoods toxic to dogs?
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. A few examples of toxic plants for dogs include lavender plants, citronella, snake plants, lucky bamboo, hydrangeas, and certain poisonous palm plants for dogs. These toxic plants for dogs can produce symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and more.Essential oils that are too concentrated can cause lavender poisoning and skin irritation. Some dogs can have allergic reactions to essential oils, including symptoms like a rash, itchy skin, hives, sneezing, a runny nose, and red eyes.