Care and Planting Tips

Record-breaking cold has left boxwood plants feeling the burn, but recovery is in sight.  Gardeners across the South experienced record-breaking low temperatures and historic snowfall this past winter, while frigid arctic air swept across much of the country. The cold snap left many shrubs visibly damaged. Even the most proactive gardener could do little to prevent winter damage, which is most pronounced on broadleaf evergreens like boxwood plants. Dead and damaged plant tissues will not recover and need to be removed, but all is not lost. With corrective pruning and proper care, plants can recover from all but the most...

Learn to recognize the signs of this plant pest and what to do if you see one.  Box tree (boxwood) moth is an invasive insect species whose larvae feed primarily on boxwood plants. This new pest only recently arrived in the United States and has the potential to spread far and wide, causing severe damage to the ornamental landscape. By learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of box tree moths, you can help slow the spread of this devastating pest. While Better Boxwoods have a higher tolerance to the box tree moth than common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), management is...

Boxwood blight is killing boxwoods at alarming rates. For gardeners and homeowners, the best tool to prevent this fungal disease is to plant resistant varieties. Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of boxwood blight and best management practices so you can help slow the spread of this devastating disease.

Hedges play many roles in the landscape, from space making to screening. They vary considerably in height and width depending on their function and can be created using a diversity of plant material. With dense, evergreen foliage and good tolerance to pruning, boxwood shrubs are a classic choice for creating hedges in both formal and informal gardens. Boxwood hedges are easy to grow, but their maintenance needs differ from that of shrubs planted individually. Learn how to properly space plants within a hedgerow and pruning strategies to maintain a formal or natural hedge. Types of Hedges and Borders A hedge...