Boxwood often has to struggle with various diseases and pests. This is all the easier to do the healthier and stronger the roots are. Root health starts with planting.
Boxwood roots are sensitive to drought
planting
Caring for the small and shallow root system begins with planting. Most gardeners purchase their plants from a garden center or nursery with roots already developed. When planting them in your garden, do so in a planting hole that is as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide. Insert the plant and fill the hole so that only a thin layer of soil covers the roots. If you plant deeper, the roots don't get enough light, air and water. The root depth of a boxwood is very small.
pour
Proper watering can mean the difference between a healthy plant and a dying shrub. Water deep enough to soak the soil at least 20 to 25 inches deep. When the water is at this deep level, the roots will also reach down and grow better in the soil. With surface irrigation, on the other hand, the roots also remain close to the surface and cannot establish themselves at the site. This can cause damage to the roots, potentially killing the entire plant.
mulching
Because the roots of the plant do not penetrate very deeply into the soil, the boxwood is vulnerable to unfavorable weather conditions such as overheating or drying out on hot summer days. To protect roots from rapid temperature changes and moisture loss, and to control weeds, spread a two to three inch layer of organic mulch, such as bark mulch, pine needles, or wood shavings, around the base of the plant. However, the mulch layer should not be thicker either, otherwise the water cannot penetrate deep enough into the soil. Remove and replace the mulch every spring.
floor care
Do not work in the soil around the box bushes with a hoe or other sharp objects. Because the roots run shallow below the surface, they are easily damaged by shovels, hoes, spades, aerators, and other gardening tools. Instead of digging for weeds, pull them out by hand and cover the area with mulch. Any damage to the roots will lead to infection and possible death of the entire shrub.
tips
If you want to transplant a boxwood, don't just dig it up and put it back in its new location. Instead, you should top off the roots a few months in advance so that the ball grows more compact and closer to the trunk. During the subsequent transplanting, the loss of roots is significantly lower.