Do you know what kind of box it is ? Some cultivars yellow or bronze in winter much more so than others. The color typically corrects itself as the season progresses so no need to prune just to remove.

Next to yews, boxwoods are probably one of the most amenable shrubs to pruning into any shape you want. That's why they are so frequently used as topiaries! That A-frame pruning format for boxwood hedges doesn't really apply to boxwood trained into other shapes.

Living in MA, I'd be concerned about the proliferation of boxwood blight in your area. While some selections are more resistant than others, none are completely immune. It might be good to have some sort of replacement shrub in mind as the disease is hard to avoid.

Yes, it is one of these: Buxus sempervirens 'Elegantissima' or Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'.

So I don't have to have the A Frame, I can try the ball shape for awhile. I'm planning on soaking them and laying down some compost and mulch around them this week, hoping for a burst of growth.

I have two of these boxwood in the front of the house and they are slow growers and have been in place for at least 15 years. I don't believe I've seen anything that looks like blight from photos I see online, but I do get that little bug that curls the leaves. I try to just cut all of the affected leaves off and hope it will be less the next season. I am sure I could do more for it.

Boy some of the blight affected boxwood look half dead! There are so many diseases and pests that so many plants can succumb to! Boxwood used to be such a great shrub to have. At one point I thought I wanted to have a lot of them, but the pruning is not hard when you have a few, but not a dozen of them. Then to have susceptibility to something like blight - better to have a few than a lot.

I just looked up varieties that have resistance to Blight and found this research reported...

Boxwood varieties resistant to Boxwood Blight

I believe my varieties are of English origin and the European origins are the most susceptible. And my variety is the MOST susceptible according to the report! Asian origin is much better. So, good to keep in mind, I might need to replace mine at some point.

my varieties are of English origin and the European origins are the most susceptible.

==>>> what ??? .... lol.. last i checked england is in europe.. isnt it ... its over there anyway.. lol ..

listen.. if you have to pay someone to shear these things.. maybe its time to divest ... lifes to short..and there are too many other plants.. that need to be bought.. to waste money on paying to have some POS boxwood taking up space.. [ i would prefer POCarp.. but im not sure youall would understand the acronym .. lol ...]

ken

Yes, Ken, that is what I've been saying - the varieties we have are from Europe [england] and are more susceptible.

Well, gee Ken, why don't you say what you really think...lol. Sorry you seem to disagree wtih my life choices and plant choices. Really, it's not a problem. I find it kind of funny.

The Asian (Korean) types are hardier. I'm not surprised you have a fair amount of winterkill on English box.

Winter hardy to zone 5, there should be minimal "winter kill" on dwarf English box in a zone 6b. Winter discoloration, yes: winter kill, not so much :-)

I do like Boxwood and limit the number I have because of the upkeep. I have one more that is Green Mountain which is supposed to be not as susceptible but it had a lot of die back this spring. I'm going to keep my eye on these and hope they push out a whole lot of new growth. I think I am looking at discoloration. But, might be nice to get some that are more reliable.

'Green Beauty' seems to be the least susceptible and I will probably keep my eye out for that one. And add a few more....hehehe.

Ruth, that sounds like you had a great time! lol You hit upon a great deal! Do you have a photo of your boxwood? They sound nice.