When should I cut back or shape my boxwoods for the year?
Ronald Asked
When should I cut back or shape my boxwoods for the year?
The Gardener’s Answer
Boxwoods (Buxus) can serve several purposes in a landscape. Whether they are used as a specimen, hedge, or topiary they provide year-round interest. These evergreens are considered low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of environments.
The best time to prune is late winter or very early spring just before new growth begins. Pruning now would make them more susceptible to winter injury. The one exception to this rule is if you notice dead or diseased branches. If this is the case, go ahead and prune those parts out now.
Whenever you prune be sure to use clean, sharp pruners and don’t remove more than one-third of the plant during a single pruning session. If you want to reduce the size drastically, it is best to do so over a couple of years. For now, if you haven’t already mulched, apply a few inches around the base of each plant to help protect them during the winter months.
