Care and Planting Tips

watering Better Boxwood planted in the landscape with a hose

How to Water Better Boxwood

Boxwoods are undemanding plants, providing lush greenery with little maintenance. They are not fussy when it comes to soil and grow under a range of site conditions. Boxwood shrubs are drought tolerant once established but that doesn’t mean they never need to be watered. Proper irrigation ensures boxwood plants develop a healthy root system so they can thrive no matter what the weather may bring. Learn the best way to water Better Boxwood shrubs to keep them growing healthy and strong.   Watering Boxwood Shrubs  Watering boxwoods isn’t rocket science. Plants generally require regular irrigation during establishment, with supplemental water...

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A porch with a wicker loveseat, two white cushions, a patterned pillow, and two potted Better Boxwoods on either side. A wicker basket is next to the seat.

How to Plant Better Boxwood in Container Gardens

By Kim Toscano  With evergreen foliage and an affinity to shaping into topiary, boxwood is the quintessential container plant. Gardeners love how easy boxwoods are to care for—even in containers—and designers adore their versatility. From porches and patios to sprawling estates, boxwood shrubs bring lasting beauty and a touch of elegance to any garden. Learn how to plant Better Boxwood® in container gardens, planters, or pots to create dramatic entryways, stylish topiary, and privacy plantings in gardens big or small.   Which Better Boxwoods Grow Well in Containers  All four Better Boxwood® varieties adapt well to life in a container....

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A woman with short blonde hair tends to a garden, smiling as she trims a bush. She wears a white T-shirt and a watch, surrounded by lush greenery and sunlight.

How to Prune Better Boxwood 

Learn the best way to trim boxwood shrubs in formal and informal gardens.   Boxwood plants are widely used to add structure and definition to gardens. Whether they are sculpted into formal shapes and hedges or allowed to grow into their natural form, boxwood shrubs benefit from annual pruning to encourage healthy growth. Pruning also helps to maintain a cleaner profile and limit plant size. Learn when and how to prune Better Boxwood shrubs to maintain the form of individual plants and keep knot gardens, borders, and boxwood hedges looking their best.   Boxwood Types and Pruning Needs  The pruning...

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A young plant in mulch next to a bag of Espoma Plant-Tone fertilizer and a small empty pot.

How to Fertilize Your Better Boxwoods

Boxwood shrubs are low-maintenance plants. They don’t generally require a lot of fertilizer, but the right nutrients at the right time ensure boxwoods grow and develop properly. Good nutrition leads to healthy plants that are better able to withstand environmental stresses and pest pressure. Boxwoods growing in the ground have different nutrient needs than those in pots or planters. Learn when and how to feed or fertilize Better Boxwoods in gardens and containers to maintain strong, resilient plants.  Boxwood Nutrient Needs  Like all plants, boxwoods rely on three primary elements to support their growth: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Additional micronutrients...

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