Boxwood Care Program

The RVAGardens Boxwood Master Care program is a plan that focuses on the health, maintenance, and preventative care of boxwood.

Our boxwood specialist will review the boxwoods on your property, evaluate overall health and environmental conditions, and develop a plan for pruning, thinning, fertilizing, and spraying to satisfy your boxwoods' needs through every season. Our quarterly visits can rejuvenate struggling boxwood, protect susceptible boxwood, and keep healthy boxwood in continued good health.

Boxwood Basic Needs

Soil

Boxwood require well-drained soil with a relatively neutral pH (between 6.5 - 7.2). We monitor soils to maintain optimal pH, correcting as needed. Amending the soil around your boxwood with a compost blend will add organic matter, structure, and microorganisms while minimally affecting pH, salt solubility, and nutrient levels.

Sunlight

Boxwood prefer some afternoon shade, particularly in winter when water uptake is reduced. Shrubs that are exposed to full sun throughout the day and without respite become susceptible to sunburn, which presents as orange or bronze colored foliage. Treating boxwood with an anti-desiccant in mid-fall to early winter can help protect boxwood from sunburn.

Wind

Boxwood planted in a site without windblock from south or southwesterly winds are susceptible to winter burn. Winter burn presents as yellowing leaves that turn brown with time.

Treating boxwood with an anti-transpirant in mid-fall to early winter can help protect exposed boxwood from winter burn.

Snow & Ice

Placing a barrier around or over boxwood (such as burlap) in advance of a coming storm can help save structural and branch damage during snow or ice events. Gently brushing off snow or ice before it accumulates can also lessen damage to the shrubs. Planting boxwoods away from roof eaves is helpful.

Boxwood Insects

However ideal site and environmental conditions are, extreme weather and rapid swings in climate can negatively affect even the healthiest of boxwood. It's imperative to keep a watchful eye on boxwood during extreme weather conditions, as issues can arise without warning.

Boxwood pests common to Richmond include:

Mites

Scale

Psyllid

Leafminer

If pests are seen in small numbers, beneficial predators may reduce population without intervention. If a population increase is seen, spraying may be required. An application of horticultural oil in fall and again in winter helps protect boxwood by smothering overwintering insect eggs.

Boxwood that are already healthy have a better outcome dealing with insects, as infestions tend to present in plants with existing health issues.

Boxwood Diseases

Boxwood diseases can be bacterial or fungal in origin, and spread environmentally (wind and water droplets). Diseases to look for include:

Macrophoma Leaf Spot

Volutella Blight

Boxwood Blight

Phytophthora Root Rot

Important: Boxwood blight is a serious, treatment-resistant fungal disease which can arrive without notice and decimate susceptible boxwood, while quickly spreading to healthy neighboring boxwoods. We will identify if your boxwoods are susceptible or resistant varieties, and make a seasonal plan for protecting and treating based on the specific varieties or cultivars in your garden.

Other Boxwood Issues

Boxwood Blight

Boxwood Bronzing

Phytophthora Root Rot

Winter Burn

Branch Dieback

In addition to the effects of environment like sun, wind, or cold, sometimes boxwood simply decline over time, particularly older shrubs. In some cases, boxwood issues will appear if their basic needs are not precisely on target. We will identify if a boxwood is struggling due to the following issues:

- sun overexposure (bronzing or sun burn)

- dessicant damage (winter burn)

- moles, voles or other animals (branch dieback)

- water or drainage issues (branch dieback)

- boxwood decline (general poor health)

The RVAGardens Boxwood Master Care program focuses on the prevention of issues prevalent in boxwood. In most cases, a regular schedule of thinning, pruning, proactive pest and disease treatments, and consistent monitoring is the only management required. Quarterly visits provide the following:

Winter:

Apply a preventative spray for overwintering pests.
Install a 1" mulch layer for blight mitigation.
Thin shrubs as needed.
Prune, shear and shape in late winter (or early spring).
Test soil pH and correct as needed.
Monitor for pests and disease.

Late Winter/Early Spring:

Evaluate for winter damage and repair any issues, such as removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
Hard prune, shear, and shape in early spring (or late winter).
Begin a fungal disease spray application as warranted; cultivar/variety and environmental conditions dictate need.
Apply organic soil amendment.
Monitor for pests and disease.

Late Spring/Early Summer:

Monitor for pests and disease.
Inspect previous pruning cuts and remove unwanted regrowth as needed.
Cut out any dead branches or foliage.
Cut out any reversion branches as needed.
Lightly prune larger and more vigorous cultivars after the spring flush if a manicured look is desired.

Fall:

Resume fungal disease spray applications as needed; temperature, rainfall, and other environmental conditions dictate need.
Apply a preventative spray for overwintering pests.
Install a 1" mulch layer if earlier mulching preferred.
Thin as needed, if temperatures are above freezing.
Perform a complete lab soil test.
Apply aged compost blend to maximize root growth.
Monitor for pests and disease.

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