Q.Boxwood Shrub
I am new to gardening! Will my boxwood shrubs turn brown before winter comes, yearly? “Thanks for your time! Rita Garvey Edinburgh Indiana
Edinburgh is close to a boxwood's coldest winter hardiness. While boxwoods are evergreen, boxwood enter dormancy when days become shorter and temperatures cool, in late fall and early winter. Their foliage may temporarily turn yellowish (it turns green in spring). Should there be a warm snap in winter, boxwoods may break dormancy and begin moving sap and-or begin producing new growth. Subsequent freezes could then kill not only the new growth but the loss of moisture from other older foliage as well, turning the boxwood partially brown or completely brown. Stems and branches may crack and split.
If only the tips of the branches turn brown, just prune them back to green. If the wood is cracked, take them back to healthy wood. If the entire boxwood turned brown with extensive cracking of stems, you’ll need to prune the entire plant to round 12" from the soil but it is possible it may not be salvageable. Make sure that the variety is hardy to Zone 5b. Grow it in an area that is protected from winter winds to prevent desiccation. Maintain 3" or organic mulch at all times of the year.
