Boxwood is often used for topiary and high and low hedges. Bed borders are trimmed in the same way as a box hedge, but at a lower level.
A small topiary can be done at practically any frost-free time
The correct cutting date
The boxwood, which is very tolerant of pruning, is best only cut from the end of March, in cooler regions even from the beginning of April, so that there is only a short period of time between pruning and new growth. This prevents the resulting wounds from drying out and thus preventing infection with fungi or other pathogens. All pruning should be completed by the end of July. A later cut does not make sense, otherwise the new shoots will no longer mature sufficiently. On the other hand, if you cut the box too early, the new shoots that develop after the pruning can freeze to death in a late frost. It is important - especially in summer - to choose periods with cloudy skies for the cut. After cutting, leaves that were previously in the shade can adapt to the more intense light and do not burn.
The different types of cuts
In order for the boxwood hedge to grow densely and dimensionally stable over the years, you should cut it twice a year in the first few years. Later, one cut per year will suffice.
plant cutting
The young box trees should be pruned back when they are planted. Shorten the one-year-old shoots by about a third and trim the plants for the shape you want later. By pruning the plant, you permanently stimulate the growth power of the shoots below the cutting points, so that strong branching and thus denser growth is achieved.
education cut
Raise a hedge in stages and give it the desired shape from the start. Leave a few centimeters of new growth with each cut until the desired final size is reached. With a few simple tools, you can make an exact cut in no time at all: Lean a board the length of the desired hedge height against the hedge. It marks the upper cutting edge where you cut horizontally. Then place a narrow board on the top side that has now been cut, which defines the cut edges for the sides. Use two holes to fix the board with two rods in the ground. Cut twice a year at the beginning so the hedge will branch out better.
maintenance cut
Once the desired final size has been reached, one cut a year is usually sufficient. Prune preferably between June and August, because at this time the subsequent new shoots are slow and sparse. In autumn, however, you should no longer cut, as new shoots will not mature until winter.
taper cut
In spring, before they sprout, cut back boxwood hedges that are too large or too old to a quarter of the intended final height and build them up again in annual steps, as with training. The rejuvenation does not take place all at once, but in stages over several years.
tips
Hedges should always be trapezoidal, i. H. with a broad base and tapering towards the top. This also applies to boxwood hedges to prevent the lower areas from becoming bare due to lack of light.