Some of my boxwoods have turned a bronze color...will they recover in the spring or are they dying?
Boxwood can suffer from winter burn. In Michigan, where I live, winter hit early with temps in the teens overnight. This leads to more damage because the shrub hasn't had the time it needs to steel itself for winter. Here are measures you can take next year to protect your boxwoods: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/boxwood-winter-protection.htm.
Hi there. I planted these boxwood last summer. Easy facing (morning sun, afternoon shade) and they did well until this winter where the leaves are now starting to turn yellow. I live in Vancouver where we have notoriously wet, mild winters. We’ve had no snow, or frost really this season. This was a new garden that I build last year made up of composite and manueur above gravel (from the builder) and then clay. I’m really hoping this isn’t root rot from the plants getting too waterlogged. Any suggestions as to what this is, will they get better as the season warms, should I find them a new home, can I do anything to rectify the situation. Help! I really don’t want to move them!
This may be Volutella blight. If so, it can be pruned out. Make sure to clean your pruners between cuts and to remove all yellowing foliage. Do not compost the trimmings. If the leaves have spots then you may be facing a far more difficult foe, boxwood blight. Read this article from B.C. master gardeners: https://www.mgabc.org/content/boxwood-blight-found-bc
Can I dig up my box pyramids & relocate without killing them off?
The moving of an established shrub can be a bit of a task. Just make sure to get as much of the root ball as you can. Dig far enough out to get enough for the shrub to survive.
This article will guide you on how to move an established tree: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/moving-mature-trees.htm
The plant has been in a pot for about five years.It grows and flowers well but has never had a scent. Hope you can help.
Thanks for your interesting gardening question. Our research indicates that either you have an unscented strain of Sarcococca, or the plant is growing in shady or cool conditions. Apparently the scent is more detectable when the plant is warm. You may want to make a visit to your local nursery with a stem of the plant. This article may help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/sweetbox/growing-sweetbox-shrubs.htm
Seen in a churchyard in Bristol February 2019. Evergreen shrub approx 4foot high and 3 foot wide. Scented small white flower and smallpyrple berries
I understand Boxwoods are perfect for containers and the guideline is to plant Boxwood in a pot as "wide as the plant is tall". I wish to plant a pyramidal Korean Wintergreen Boxwood, which I understand has a growing habit 4' x 4', in an outdoor planter box. Unfortunately, the size of my available outdoor space will limit the size of my planter box to approximately 22"-26" square x 24" tall. Assuming proper plant care, can I expect the height of the Boxwood to achieve its 4’ potential, and the plant to remain healthy over time, even though my planter box can be no greater than 22” – 26” square?
This really depends. The largest size is governed by open planting. Then the container size is adjusted until it is no longer able to obtain full stature. With that being said, if you are planting one that is not fully established, then you may find that it will not get to full size. This does not mean that it will not grow properly, only that it may be slightly smaller in stature.
If this is a mature shrub, and you go to transplant, then you will have to prune the root space to fit, and keep it trimmed once every couple of years. It can maintain size with similar care to a bonsai, although, not at extreme.
I have some three year old Box trees that are in a raised planter but the soil level has sunken quite dramatically. I want to lift them add soil and re-plant but not sure if this is a good idea and if the moving will effect the trees
You certainly can lift the plants, check the roots and detangle them gently if needed. Add new, good quality potting soil and replace into the container or move up 1 size in containers. Add a bit of new soil to the top of the container after you have adjusted the height.
It does help to water the container well 1 or 2 days prior to doing this so your soil is not too dry or overly wet.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/container-grown-boxwoods.htm