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Hardly any other plant is as tolerant of pruning as boxwood. The two species used for the garden - the common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) and the small-leaved boxwood (Buxus microphylla) - are ideal for low borders, for small topiary cuts or even for greening the ground. The only requirement is that you choose a slow-growing variety and cut it back regularly.
The boxwood is very tolerant of pruning
Choose slow-growing boxwood varieties
For Buxus sempervirens alone, around 60 different varieties, some with very different growth behavior, are known. If the box is to remain small, weak-growing varieties should be given preference. These include, for example:
- 'Suffruticosa': also dwarf boxwood, grows only three to five centimeters per year, maximum 100 centimeters high
- 'Herrenhausen': grows between eight and 15 centimeters per year, a maximum of 60 centimeters high
- 'Faulkner': annual growth between five and 15 centimeters, up to a maximum of 200 centimeters high
- 'Elegantissima': variegated variety, annual growth between four and six centimetres, maximum height of 150 centimetres
- 'Blauer Heinz': annual growth of between four and six centimeters, a maximum of 50 centimeters high
But be careful when choosing the variety: the two smallest varieties, 'Suffruticosa' and 'Blauer Heinz', are considered to be particularly susceptible to infestation by the box tree moth. Variegated varieties such as 'Elegantissima', on the other hand, have a particularly high ornamental value, but are quite sensitive to frost and other winter weather conditions.
Keep boxwood small by cutting
Between April and September you can regularly prune your box, whereby you should only cut the new shoots back to a small remnant - otherwise there could be unsightly gaps in the box, which only grow back very slowly. There should be a rest period of at least four weeks between the individual cutting appointments. In autumn and winter, on the other hand, no pruning is done. Frequent pruning causes the boxwood to branch out heavily, becoming very compact and dense. This appearance has a high decorative value and is desirable, for example, for many hedges and topiaries. However, the compact growth also puts the plant at risk, making it more susceptible to infestation with pests or fungal diseases.
tips
Since boxwood is affected by many diseases, you can also use similar plants. Well suited are, for example, Ilex crenata 'Stokes' or Ilex aquifolium 'Heckenzwerg'.