Plant in drifts. Use more than one kind of shrub in one area. Don't use box only.

Yes, this is what my neigbors have done, and what they are advising. To me, it looks more informal though. Isn't it considered "formal" (rather than dated) to repeat the same plant (like boxwoods) as a framework and then add in other perennials? I see it done in formal gardens and it looks beautiful, not dated (although it certainly can when done wrong.) I'm asking--how do I go about doing it the "right" way?

This is where I am:

1.) I will use English dwarf boxwood because it will not get larger than 2 ft.
2.) I will use some taller holly plants behind the boxwood and shorter border plants in front to create a 3 tiered effect.
3.) I will space the boxwood about 2 feet apart when planting.

(Am I on the right track with these 3 things?)
Questions remain:
1.) Do I really need to leave 3 feet on either side of the walkway when planting them? That just seems like a really wide bed.
2.) What is the most modern way to trim them so they appear 'formal' not dated---but still give me a 'hedged' look---NOT little clumps of shrubs with mulch in between.

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

I am confused by your use of "dated" versus "formal"......I may be dense but I don't understand what you mean with the distinction between the two terms :-)

You can certainly establish an informal hedge of boxwood simply by not pruning or shearing the plants into a hedged shape. To have a continuous hedge, rather than individually spaced plants, space them 12-18" apart. And while it does grow VERY slowly, true dwarf English box will eventually get much larger than 2', so at some point pruning IS going to be required to maintain them at that height. Once the pruning process starts, you'll want to form them in to a slight 'A' shape - wider at the base and narrower at the top. This will ensure the bottom foliage receives sufficient sunlight and not die out.

3' is not a very wide bed. For a formally sheared dwarf boxwood hedge, you could reduce that down to 18-24 inches but if you are contemplating NOT pruning them, adding both a larger holly behind and a low perennial in front, 3' is a bare minimum width. I might increase it even more, depending on the specifics of the other plants you select.

I guess by "dated" I mean 'tacky' :) I just know nothing about landscaping and want to avoid any faux pas. Maybe I've been reading too much, but some designers seem to frown on the perfectly sheared lollypop like forms. I also want to put 2 taller cone shaped boxwoods on either side of the steps and I know just from reading the forums that that is also considered passe. :(

As far as the bed, I thought that I would need 3' on either side of the boxwood (which would mean a 7 or 8 foot bed...) I must have misread! How far away from the concrete path would you plant them though?

Lastly, I'm reconsidering the holly behind them (along the porch part... the walk would just be the boxwoods.) Is there a taller perennial that you can suggest that would be 3-4 feet (mabye even flowering) that would give a nice contrast either in color (lighter maybe?) or leaf texture? I'm starting to think that holly is too similar and won't give me any contrast against the boxwood.

Thank you again in advance.

Roses look lovely behind boxwood in more formal gardens, and the boxwood hides the bare rose stems in the winter. Some of the shrub roses or more wild species are less maintenance.

The link below has a short little description about using boxwoods in formal gardens. It suggests things like rosemary.

I think boxwood is more classic than 'dated.' Particularly with a colonial home, I would think a formal style would be best. However, formal does tend to mean more maintenance. (Or so I've read! I'm a newbie too, but I've been reading a lot for my own landscaping projects.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Boxwood description

If you get snow, which I think you do in Ohio, you need to consider where you're going to put it when the walk is cleared. I decided against planting along the path to the front door for this reason, and because it doubles the work of mowing the lawn (what's left of the lawn, that is).

You can get a semi-formal look with unsheared boxwood, which naturally grows in a dome shape and will knit together if planted closely enough. If that's dated, so be it!

Check out one or more of the new books about front yard gardens before you settle on your plan. My favorite is Gordon Hayward's 'The Welcoming Garden' but there are lots more - Claire Sawyer's 'Authentic Garden' might be useful, too.

Passe is a matter of opinion......and that's coming from a designer :-) If you have a colonial home and lean towards the more formal design approach, there is no good reason not pursue it. Designers have different ways of defining 'formal' but it usually involves symmetry and balance, often straight lines or very geometric shapes and patterns, a rather specific plant pallette and an attention to detail - i.e. shearing of hedges into neatly clipped forms. dlmill has the right idea - rather than 'passe', I'd encourage you to think of this as a more 'classic' approach to gardening. It's true this is a style that was much more popular in the past but both lifestyles and architecture have changed. However, it is still a design style that is appropriate to certain period architecture homes.

Shearing all shrubs and trees into unnatural rounded or squared-off forms is quite different (and a look I'd avoid), but a pair of cone-shaped topiaried shrubs as front entry focal points and a tidily clipped hedge can add a lot of character, curb appeal and formality to an architecturally appropriate home.

There does tend to be more maintenance with a formal garden design style (this is one very good reason why it has declined in popularity -- 90% of my clients demand low maintenance garden designs), so plan according to your desire to commit to it. Nothing looks worse than an unkempt formal garden!

And I think roses are a nice choice behind the hedge. They are a classic element in a formal design and offer a good, flowering contrast to the box.

Here is a link that might be useful: example of a formal entry garden

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions. I LOVE the roses idea---that is perfect. I researched the double knockout red roses and think I will use them in back of the boxwoods. I love complementary red/green together.

That link on formal gardens was so nice (I've been googling for pictures for days, and that one was the closest to what I'm picturing in my head---thank you!) I think I've got a plan in place now. My only concern is that I cannot find a true dwarf variety of boxwood here in Cleveland. Green velvet is what I think I will have to use (after searching for dwarf English--was told it doesn't do well in the winter, and can't find it here anyway) but I'm afraid the green velvet will be difficult to keep it on the smaller (2') size. My neighbor has it in her front yard and it has gotten really large (4') in 3 years.

Will the upkeep just be insanely crazy with 40 plus boxwoods? Or do they grow so slowly that if I just keep up with it, it wouldn't be so bad? I don't mind a little up keep---but I just want to be sure of what I'm getting myself into....

Lastly, can anyone suggest a low spreading perennial to put around the trees as filler? I have success with hostas, but in your opinion do you think they will go nicely with the roses/boxwood? Thanks again in advance--you have all been so helpful.

All boxwood grows pretty darn slowly so you should be able to keep on top of the size and shape with just an annual or semiannual trim. 'Green Velvet' is a good choice for northern gardens and holds its color well in winter but does grow larger than dwarf English box. I'd increase the spacing to 24-30 inches, depending on the size you begin with.

Hostas would certainly work provided the layout allows enough shade. Another choice if the situation is sunnier would be one of the lower growing hardy geraniums - lots to choose from and most have a long bloom period and flower colors that would compliment to the roses.

Here is a link that might be useful: hardy geraniums

Joanne, If you checked gardengal's link for formal entry garden, there is a great example of incorporating hosta right there. That is a beautiful entry garden, gardengal! Makes me wish I had a more formal garden. Cynthia

"Will the upkeep just be insanely crazy with 40 plus boxwoods?"

If you wish to keep it at a certain height and width - yes, there will be alot of work but normally only two times a year as gardengal said- I trim once in early Spring and then late summer (end of July) to make sure new growth hardens before winter. Electric shears rip and tear, so hand shears or pruning scissors in my opinion create a more natural appearance; in other words, you can snip new growth here and trim there and get a more "fluffy" look but still give it shape. That's the only way I can think to describe it. ha. Altho, I like the other look as well sometimes - esp the topiaries. Then you'll have the trimmings to clean up, to me that's the real job!

I use both Wintergem and Green Velvet. The Wintergem grows more quickly, esp after say the third or fourth year planted. If we have another winter like the last one, you may get die-off from frigid winds and deep snows laying on top of the hedge. So that's another thing to think about.

Thank you schoolhouse--- That makes perfect sense, and that is what I plan to do now. They are planted and I'm quite happy with them!

Dated???? I would also prefer 'classic'. Box edging needs clipping twice a year to keep it to step over height. If you want more plants the clippings will root easily. Don't think of 40 boxes. Think of 1 hedge. The formal hedge/edge is then the frame for your informal planting. It will still give your garden bones even when covered in snow.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:271216}}

Hi Joannemb,

I was wondering if you ended up planting the boxwood with knock out roses and if you were happy with how this looked. We are considering doing the same thing in our recently purchased and neglected home. Any tips or advice?

That is absolutely lovely - I am glad you weren't swayed by the fear of being 'dated'. I would call it a timeless style. Green and white is one of my favourite combinations. So much more restful than a lot of frenetic blobs of colour. I much prefer a continuous hedge like yours than meatballs divided by mulch.

Thank you! If you look real close, you can see "meatballs" all along the front of the porch. Last year the boxwoods had finally grown enough (took 5 years) to form a hedge and I hired a professional landscaper to do the job. I figured I could do the upkeep and then every couple of years hire a professional to keep the shape. He did a beautiful job on the walkway, but cut the back into spheres! Needless to say he was embarrassed (it was clearly written in my contract) and didn't charge me for the job but now I have to wait another couple of years for them to grow in again. Sigh.... So much patience is required with gardening ;)

Here's a better photo

Very nice. Box is really easy to maintain. You don't really need a landscaper to do it. If you have a pair of shears or electric hedge trimmer it's not a problem and you'll get exactly what you want. And cuttings are easy so you can use some of the trimmings for that if you want more plants.

This looks fantastic. Although my own house style and yard lend themselves to a more informal look, I agree with others that this style of landscape is timeless for something like a colonial. Hedges like this have been around for centuries so I don't think they can be called dated just because they've fallen out of favor in modern suburbia.

I also really like the mini roses. Have you found any issues with maintaining those?

Beautiful, Joanne. Your style sure looks good!

No issues maintaining the roses... They are very easy and disease resistant. I spray once and fertilize once and rarely even water them. After the first flush has faded I take an electric hedge clipper to them (yep!) And they bloom for a second and even third time till Fall

Joanne, do you recall how far apart your Boxwood was planted? I love the look, too!

I'm sorry I don't remember... But I will post a picture of them when they were newly planted so you can get an idea

Here it is...

and would really like to have boxwood serve as the skeleton (so to speak) of the design.

==>>> the garden term.. is the backbone of the planting ...

ken

Joanne, I just found this post and comments thread while searching for boxwoods that don't smell bad and discovered your beautiful walkway looking EXACTLY the way I want mine to look. I was out looking at shrubs to do this today in fact. How long did it take for the hedge to grow together? Does it smell bad as some people feel about boxwood? Why did you decide on the green ice mini roses instead of knock out roses? I find the regular knock out roses to be to large for this look anyway and the knock out drift roses I've planted aren't doing very well. Where did you find the mini roses and so many of them? My sidewalk curves similar to yours and I just took out the dwarf Japanese hollies that I tried which never flourished. I found enough Green Velvet boxwood at Home Depot today at $17 each for my 30+ sidewalk but wonder if they will be as good as getting the plants from a nursery (and paying more). I am glad you went with your vision and I'm happy that you have shared it here as it's the same one I have. Now I'm encouraged to get the plants in and hope it doesn't take 5 years to be as pretty as yours but I suppose it will be worth the wait if it does. One last question - where do you live? I live in Northern Virginia. Thanks very much.

Hi Joanne,

Wow, your boxwood hedge looks amazing! We are getting ready to plant a low-growing boxwood hedge along our sidewalk. Could you please advise me how far to plant them from the center of the shrubs to the edge of the sidewalk? Thank you.

Hi Joanne, your hedges look so pretty. We are in the process of moving some very tall 4' hedges in our yard to form a courtyard. I love the idea of putting small knockout white roses in front, or actually within the courtyard. Thanks for the pictures.You can follow our backyard renovation progress and english courtyard at www.happyhautehome.com

Joanne, stumbling upon your post and comments thread was a game-changer for my walkway landscaping quest! Your walkway looks exactly how I envision mine, and I was actually out scouting shrubs today. How long did it take for your hedge to grow together? Does it emit any unpleasant odors, as some people claim about boxwoods?

I'm curious about your choice of Green Ice mini roses over knock out roses, especially given their size. I've struggled with drift roses myself. Where did you find the mini roses, and in such abundance? My sidewalk curves similarly, and I just removed dwarf Japanese hollies that didn't flourish.

I spotted Green Velvet boxwood at Home Depot today for my sidewalk but debated if nursery plants would be better. Your encouragement to stick with the vision is inspiring. And since you've created exactly what I'm envisioning, I'm eager to get started, even if it takes a few years.

Oh, and one last thing – where are you located? I'm in Northern Virginia. Thanks a bunch for sharing your wonderful insights. By the way, have you considered checking out Designer Plants USA? They might have some excellent options for your project too!