eliminate cat pee smell from boxwoods

Question

Is there any way to eliminate the cat pee smell from boxwoods that have already been planted at our condo? We have boxwood shrubs planted along the bottom area. Our terrace is above them we are on the first floor and during the warm weather, we have a horrible smell of cat urine (no cats here). What do you suggest to eliminate this odor once and for all?
Thanks
D&M

Answer 1

I’m sorry, but you can’t get rid of that smell. Most likely the type of boxwood you have growing near your home is English Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘suffruticosa’). This particular type of boxwood has a reputation for that ‘cat pee’ smell. Some people actually like the smell. Ironically, English boxwood is the more expensive type of boxwood to buy. There are many other types of boxwood (such as the American Boxwood and Korean Boxwood) that don’t have that smell (or any detectable smell at all). The only suggestions I can make is to maybe keep your windows and doors closed (especially on hot and humid days when the English Boxwood smell is at its strongest), get some sort of room deodorizer to mask the smell, or try to convince your condo association to replace the English boxwoods with another type of boxwood or other hedge.