I.D. Boxwood

9 years ago

Please help me identify.

I think it is a boxwood but I don't know what type. Can you tell from the picture? Also what is the best shape and size for it? Are these the full shrub type or the tree looking type? How much can I prune off and when is the best time in my zone? When is the best time to move them?

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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

9 years ago

It is a boxwood and I'd suspect Buxus sempervirens but nearly impossible to tell for sure from just photos and nailing down a cultivar even harder.

I'm not sure what you mean by "tree type" - all box are shrubs although they can get to a pretty significant size in time. Generally, a loooong time as they grow very slowly :-)

They usually take pruning pretty well and spring, as they push new growth, is an excellent time to do so, although they tend not to be at all picky about that detail. And you can move any time now and until late spring - waiting much later than that will result in transplant shock from summer heat and the need for very frequent watering. Fall is also a good time.

I'm not sure I'd spend a lot of time on that plant. Box are cheap, pretty unimaginative as BLEs go, take some time to recover from a severe prune as they grow so slow and are prone to some new, serious disease issues. I'd consider something else.

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Comments (9)

NormaO8
Original Author
9 years ago

This is the one with the best shape. Most look pretty rough. They are probably at least 30 years old.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
as they are cheap... per gal ... imo.. just get rid of them ...

they are planted too close to the house ... a common error of not giving that cute little plant.. room to grow over the decades ...

large old plants are hard to move ... sometimes you win.. sometimes you dont ... if you want to try go for it .... you can always start new later ...

though its might be possible to hard prune them ... in my MI .. it would take years for it to look good again ... where are you ... and does the 8 in your name mean zone 8??

as i look at the last pic above.... there is a small plant down low [i mean the small branches] .... if you cut all above those out.. it will rejuvenate .... over a year or two ... but it might not be pretty whole its doing it .... and with no insult to the root mass.. it might be faster .... but it will still be too close to the house ....

ken
NormaO8 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
NormaO8
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Yes I'm in zone 8. When I mean tree like, I mean like trimmed up around the bottom and just full on top. I think ive seen some shaped like that in commercial areas in parking lots.

Mine seem twiggy on the bottom but I don't know.

Yes I think they might be too close to my house (maybe damaging my house skirt?). How far should I plant away from the house??
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
IME, planting a boxwood close to a foundation is pretty much a non-issue because 1) they are eminently prunable and 2) grow so slow as to have this not be a problem in any big hurry - usually years. However, if ignored, as yours appear to have been, and growing to a large size, they will lean towards the light. Other than possibly developing a dense covering touching the siding and holding in moisture, there should not any issues with damage to the siding, skirting or the foundation itself.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What shape do you want them to be? Basically it is your choice as they are so amenable to pruning.
NormaO8
Original Author
9 years ago
I want them to be shrub like and not too high. Can I cut them down to the new growth on the lower part in one go this spring? or is that too much pruning at once?
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
9 years ago
I'm not sure what 'shrub-like' means since there are so many shrub shapes. Do you want a sphere? Or a vase? Or a cone? Do you want stems coming from the ground or do you want it growing up on a 'leg'? And how high is 'not too high'?

But bottom line is you can cut box back as hard as you like to any shape or height you like. That's why it is used in topiary and formal hedging.
Logan L Johnson
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It's a buxus sempervirens as others have pointed out. I sell these plants, they are quick to produce, easily disposable in my opinion. I wouldn't spend any time on it, I would just replace. I actually dug some today and put them in pots for spring sale. They can be pruned almost in any way you imagine.... not much can kill them, after all, it is a boxwood, what have you got to lose? For example, I have some pyramidal buxus topiary and starts and some round ones. I am also thinking about trying a spiral.