For many centuries, boxwood has been cut into creative shapes and used for creative and artistic garden design. The spherical shape is one of the most popular variants, as it is comparatively easy to implement.
The sphere is most symmetrical with a template
preparation
However, don't make the mistake of rushing into the garden with secateurs in hand and pruning your bush there. In order for the project to be crowned with success, some preparation is required. Otherwise, the plant may suffer damage that is difficult to repair, or the result may be less than attractive.
Selection of the variety
Not every boxwood variety is suitable for a spherical cut, which is particularly true for the variants bred for hedge planting. Instead, choose a bushy plant that is naturally more rounded in shape - this is easier to trim into the ball you want. Furthermore, the selection of the variety depends on how big the ball should be: slow-growing varieties such as 'Green Gem', 'Suffruticosa' or 'Blauer Heinz' are very well suited for small balls, while comparatively fast-growing ones such as ' Rotundifolia' or 'Handsworthiensis'.
time of cut
In order to maintain the spherical shape, you should cut the boxwood at least twice a season. The first cut, the so-called topiary, takes place between mid-May and mid-June. The second cut, which is also known as a care cut, should be made by mid-August. Of course, you can also cut the book more frequently if necessary, but you should keep a gap of at least four weeks between the individual appointments. Frequently cut boxwood grows particularly densely.
Cut boxwood round - Here's how
Never cut deep into the wood right at the beginning, as this will create unsightly holes that are difficult to close again. Instead, proceed in small steps, mentally dividing the Buchs like a globe into degrees of longitude and latitude. First cut the "equator" to the desired length, followed by the four to six "lines of longitude". Now all you have to do is trim the gaps to the same length, making sure you get the even curve you want. This is easier to do if you cut from the bottom up - so the top area is the last to be touched by the scissors.
Cutting with template
Since freehand cutting is not easy for the inexperienced, you can also use a template. Wire baskets are commercially available into which the box is practically squeezed. Then you only have to cut along the wires, but you must not shorten too much: then the metal will be visible. You can also easily make templates yourself from cardboard or another suitable material, which you place on the box and then trace the contours with scissors.
tips
Before cutting, place a tarpaulin or something similar under the box so that you don't have to laboriously rake up the numerous fine trimmings afterwards.