Evergreen Trees, Privacy Trees
Planting and Growing Boxwood Shrubs
Written by
Blair Brown
How to Plant and Grow Boxwood Shrubs
For your Boxwood Shrubs, select an area that gets partial sun to shade. This is particularly important in warmer climates. However, they can tolerate full sun (6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily) in cooler northern states.
Planting Your Boxwood Shrubs
Boxwoods need the soil to be well-drained and fertile. Adding topsoil and organic compost will help add nutrients. You may also add coarse sand to improve drainage, if necessary. Never plant them near downspouts or any area that stays wet, or is slow to drain. They can grow in soil from slightly acidic to slightly, preferable in the 5.8-7.5 range, although they can tolerate soils with lower pH.
It is a good idea to check your soil’s pH before planting your boxwoods. If necessary, you can add proper amounts of lime or sulfur and fertilizer to promote optimal plant growth.
For your boxwood to thrive, dig a hole as deep as the container and twice as wide. Fill in the hole with good soil that is porous, like good quality potting soil. This will enable the roots to grow more rapidly and get established sooner.
Watering Your Boxwood Shrub
Once your shrub is in its hole, gently firm the soil as you add water to remove any air pockets. Water 5 to 10 minutes with a hose after you plant. Generally, you'll want to water your boxwood shrubs weekly - but if you're not sure when to water, simply check the surrounding soil about 3 inches down for dryness.
