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| Photo Credit: Jennifer Manning |
| This boxwood planter complements a wonderfully fragrant Daphne. |
Boxwoods evoke images of stateliness and formality. After all, they’ve been a part of some of the most elegant and well-known gardens for centuries. Boxwoods are wonderful shrubs that make a great addition to any yard. While there are many species of boxwood, the two most commonly used in the landscape are Buxus sempervirens and B. microphylla.
The beauty of boxwoods is that they can be used in virtually any situation, so they’re ideal for everyone. They work well in planters, clipped into formal hedges or inventive shapes, or can be left in their natural growth habit. The possibilities for landscape use are endless, but there are some specific maintenance needs to keep your plants healthy and robust. Fertilizing| Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Jennifer Manning | | A mix of organic cottonseed meal, composted cow manure and Epsom salt applied in spring keeps boxwoods happy year-round. |
While there are many different approaches to nutrient management for boxwoods, I’d like to share an organic fertilization program that I’ve found works well. Eve Danaway is a landscape architect in Atlanta who recommended the following recipe. I’ve found that it keeps boxwoods happy and well-nourished:
Eve’s Recipe - 8 cups organic cottonseed meal (6-2-1)
- 8 cups composted cow manure
- ½ cup of Epsom salt
Mix thoroughly together in a large tub or pot, depending on what you have on hand. Feed the boxwoods in early March with organic cottonseed meal, using 1 cup for boxwoods up to 3 feet across and 2 cups for boxwoods measuring 5 feet across. You can adjust the amount based on the size of your boxwood. Six weeks later, sprinkle 2 cups of the Eve’s Recipe mixture around large boxwoods and 1 cup around small boxwoods. In early June, you can give them another boost by applying 10-10-10 fertilizer, available in your local nursery, around the drip line of each shrub.
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