Trimming Boxwoods?
Question:We were told that June is the best time to trim boxwoods in VA. When is the best time that you have been told to trim boxwoods?
Answers:
boxwoods can be trimmed froim spring to the beginning of winter they are very hardy.
Hello. Well, I hope this will be of help to you.
Pruning boxwoods is a task that depends a lot on what you are hoping for in terms of result.
For my garden clients with short boxwood hedges, I hand prune with sharp shears, using a level line guide, as soon as the danger of a hard frost is past.
Then, a bit later in the season when new growth is coming on strong, (this will vary for you since I live in VT and you VA), I spot prune them to bring in any wayward edges.
If you are pruning boxwood to a shape, or making holes in boxwood "walls", then this is going to be a more regular task throughout the growing season.
I would not prune boxwood during high temperatures or drought, and be cautious about how much of the plants you are taking. If you are restoring an old hedge, go slowly and you will be rewarded with healthy attractive plants.
I find that drastic restoration pruning with box creates unattractive results when done in one fell sweep, and it often kills off part of the hedge.
Good luck.
Lee Reich's book on pruning is an excellent resource for gardeners. You can usually find it used online, or at Amazon.
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