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charlene_durbin32

Wintergreen Boxwoods

8 years ago

I'm very new to landscaping. I planted several 2.25 gallon winter greens this past week. I dug a good size hole, teased the root ball, sprayed the rootball with water, filled the hole with potting soil (which I've read was a mistake ), and have checked the dryness the soil religiously. Now, the new growth on a few of my plants are still very green, but are wilting. I'm very concerned about this. Like I said, I'm very new to all of this! Does anyone know what could be going on?

Comments (4)

  • 8 years ago

    Can you provide photos? Where are you located and what have the temperatures been like recently? Without any other evidence to the contrary, I would assume it is just typical midseason planting transplant shock.

    Charlene Durbin thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
  • 8 years ago

    I'm not home at the moment but will take photos later. I'm in southern Kentucky. The highs have been mid to upper 80s, with a few showers yesterday.

  • 8 years ago

    They get shade until about 1 pm, then sun.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Boxwoods provide leafy, emerald green color to the landscape with a surprisingly scant investment of time and effort on your part, as boxwood watering requirements are minimal once the plant is established. Watering Boxwood Shrubs Water a newly planted boxwood shrub deeply and slowly to ensure the roots are thoroughly saturated. After that time, water regularly until the plant is well established. As a general rule, one or two deep waterings per week is plenty during the plant’s first year, decreasing to once per week during the shrub’s second growing season. Thereafter, watering a boxwood is necessary only during periods of hot, dry weather. The plant may need more water if your soil is sandy, if the shrub is in bright sunlight or receives reflected sun from a nearby sidewalk or wall. Give your boxwood a deep drink of water before the ground freezes in late autumn or early winter. This helps alleviate any cold damage that may occur from lack of water. Watering a boxwood should be done with a drip system or soaker hose. Alternatively, allow a hose to trickle slowly at the base of the plant until the ground is thoroughly saturated. Keep in mind that a large, mature boxwood shrub requires more water to saturate the root system than a small or young plant. Avoid watering a boxwood shrub if the soil is still moist from the previous watering. Boxwood roots are near the surface and the plant is easily drowned by watering too frequently. Don’t wait until the plant looks wilted or stressed. If you aren’t sure when to water boxwoods, use a trowel to dig 2 to 4 inches into the soil at a point under the outer branches of the plant. (Be careful not to damage the shallow roots). If the soil is dry at that depth, it’s time to water again. In time, you’ll learn how often your boxwood shrub needs water. A layer of mulch will conserve moisture and reduce water requirements.