How soon can I prune boxoods?

10 years ago

Hey Everyone,

I just recently planted my boxwood hedges (2 days ago) and I intend for them to be 1ft tall and wide thick and bushy and neatly trimmed. I know that this occurs through pruning but I assume its is done by pruning in a specific way and I am not sure which way that is. What do I need to be doing?

Also since they are so new when would be appropriate to start pruning them?

I have enclosed a picture of the garden because its always nice to see a picture. Don't mind that the center of the garden doesn't have hedges. i miscalculated the amount that I would need so I was short by 64 plants I'll have the rest next week. Also in case anyone is interested in the center there is my tulips starting to come up. I planted 140 of them I hope they all come up. I'll end up having to transplant some of the bulbs to make room for the hedges when i get them but it will be ok. Eventually drift roses will fill in the spaces between the boxwoods and in the very center of the garden there will be a fountain (two tier classical style)

thanks for your help.

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Comments (7)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
10 years ago
Nice work. I'd wait for a bit while they establish at least into May. I do mine any time they need it but they are well established.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
hi

your plants are severely stressed due to shipping and planting ...

they need to regrow a useful root mass ...

and they will power that root growth thru the leaves they produce ...

so one might offer.. that every leaf is a food making machine ... and should be left on the plant until at least fall.. and maybe even thru next year ... to get 'established' ...

but i would remove any broken or crossing branches ... and any wildly too big stuff ...

that said.. they are boxwood.. and made to be cut on..

brilliant plan... good luck with it ...

ken
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Ashlie Neevel
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks you guys. I thought that was what you guys would say to do I just wanted to double check. I'll let them go au naturel through this year to establish.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
10 years ago
You could trim them this year but not immediately. A light hair cut June to tidy them up would be fine, I'm sure.

Here is a link that might be useful: Box hedging
Ashlie Neevel
Original Author
10 years ago
Ok then in June I'll give them a light pruning to get them to a more uniform height
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
how about.. you check in june with some pix ... and see if flora stands by her comments... just to be sure ...

and do expect some losses ... not many of us could plant that many plants.. and not have some losses ... its just a shear numbers game ....

and if there is such.. then we would blame the supplier ... rather than jumping to thinking bugs or diseases ...

you might also ... when you start pruning.. look to structure ... rather than just a haircut ... evaluating each plant ...

ken
Ashlie Neevel
Original Author
10 years ago
Well I certainly hope I don't lose any of the plants lol don't jinx me. They do have a warranty though till June. They weren't potted they were bare root plants. Once my next order comes in this week it will make the plant count 310 boxwoods. for my design. I included a pic of the original design. I also be sure to post pictures before I start clipping them to get all of your opinions on how to proceed.