Trimming boxwoods

When we bought this house over six years ago, there was a row of boxwoods along the set of windows that became my bedroom. They had not been properly pruned and are bare at the bottom and then growing up and out at the top and sides. We've trimmed them back a couple of times, but it just seems to spur more growth.

There is a space between those boxwoods and the wall of the house where I would like to plant dahlias. The bushes are probably about 5' tall and I have a love/hate relationship with them. We're not sure what to do with them. They are so old that taking them out completely would take a diesel truck. I really would not care if they were completely gone, actually, as I don't like tall bushes that close to my windows.

Can we cut them 'way down low and turn them into a low hedge sort of thing? Would we need to do that in stages? This area gets full sun from before noon until sunset.

Since you don't like them much anyway, why not wait hack them down to a low shrub form (1-2' tall) , but wait until spring since new growth is very susceptible to winter dieback. They should fill in nicely. I would then use them as the background for any future plantings, as the space behind them, between the bushes and the house, is probably dry due to the
overhang, and you'll want to keep that clear so you can get back there to prune the bushes anyway. So at least they were placed correctly, and I bet you'll really like them once you cut them down to size! Also, since they have surface roots, you can damage them with plantings too close to the base. A groundcover planted some distance in front would be a better choice, with the tubers planted in them to keep the roots cool.

If these are English Box it will take awhile before they fill out if you cut them back that far. You will have sticks for quite some time. I would suggest doing it in stages..plucking out of the middles so to speak.

I cut my Boxwoods back not quite halfway last spring and they have done way better than I expected. I got carried away trimming, and thought I almost killed them. They were absolutely fine.

I have two kinds- Korean Boxwood (small tightly formed bluish leaves), and a very hardy cultivar called Winter Gem. If yours are an older, English type, I agree with levilyla, proceed with care. Maybe cut back a third at a time.

I'm sorry to delay in responding. I have been down with a cold and could care less about the boxwoods.

I really have no idea of the variety, as they were here long before I was. I need to research the PF, I guess.

Thanks so much for your help. I'm posting a picture of the area behind them that I'd like to use for flowers, which would be larger if the boxwoods were smaller. In front of them toward the yard is all grass.

The shape does not look like English box..but it's hard to tell from the picture. It could be the Korean..

I have just been pouring over the pictures and descriptions in PF, and mine actually look most like the African variety. The leaves are very tiny and dark green. I thought at first that it might be Winter Gem because of the overall shape. I'll try to get some better close-ups today.

Does it smell really bad? I know this is a weird question, but my Koreans and Winter Gems don't have much scent at all, but some other boxwoods have quite a pungent aroma.

I thought it looked like Korean as well.

yes...sort of like kitty litter LOL

My neighbor calls it the New England P_ _ _ bush, cause it smells like urine.

Will I get in trouble for typing that?

I just checked and the leaves have no aroma at all. I need to get out there and get a better picture of the leaves.

I appreciate all the help.

Edited to add picture. New growth is a bright green. Most leaves are between 1/4 and 1/2".

Oops, can't add picture on edit mode.

This message was edited Jan 17, 2006 2:05 PM

Here we are.

could it be Ilex crenata?

I may be completely wrong but down here in our neck of the woods in
southeast Texas we have those and we call them Yaupon Holly bush.
I have several in my yard and after looking at your close up of your
leaves that is exactly what mine look like. Not sure if that helps or not.
Good luck.

I agree. As soon as I saw this photo, I realized it is not a box shrub at all.

I found this written at the following website, but I would double check the information before pruning:

http://www.treehelp.com/trees/holly/index.asp

Several species of Japanese holly, Ilex crenata, are very useful as landscape plants. All selections of this species have black berries and thus are less useful for indoor decorations than the red-berried types. All types of Japanese holly will tolerate heavy pruning to maintain a desired size and form of growth.

Mine have never had berries of any color, but I sure will research the ilex. I never thought about that. You guys are terrific.