When to prune boxwood to form a beautiful bush

Tell me when to prune the boxwood? We planted it along the curb last year, but the bushes are a little sick. We haven’t cut them yet, so that we can go well with the industry. By the fall, everyone seemed to have recovered, even gave a good increase, but the branches grow out of order, sticking out in different directions. Can they be cut in spring, or is it better to wait until autumn?

Boxwood is one of the most flexible shrubs to prune. Despite the fact that it grows slowly, the culture reacts well to a haircut. In order to maintain a neat appearance of the plantings and the given crown shape, it is worth knowing when to prune the boxwood. In general, the timing of pruning for him is no different from a similar procedure for other garden plants. There is only a slight difference in the goals achieved with a haircut. There are also some nuances in pruning young and old plants.

When to prune boxwood that is just planted

Young plants, due to the slow growth rate, should not be touched for the first two years. It is necessary to give them the opportunity to grow the crown so that there is something to cut. The first pruning is recommended in the third year of life, starting to form the crown. Bushes can be given any shape and constantly maintain it, courting behind them.

Some gardeners cut their plants for the first time within a month after planting. In general, this is allowed, but only for short curb species. And provided that the tops of the shoots are shortened by no more than 10 cm. This will awaken the dormant lateral buds, and the shoots will begin to branch.

Timing of pruning adult boxwood

Lush bushes need almost regular haircut. It is carried out throughout the growing season:

1. In the spring. In the south, work can begin in early April. In regions where spring comes later, it is better to postpone the haircut until May. Damaged and broken shoots are cut out, last year's young growth is shortened to the desired height. After a month, the corrective haircut is repeated.
2. In summer. Boxwood grows actively until mid-summer. At this time, you can periodically cut off the branches protruding from the crown.
3. Autumn. In late October or early November, the last pruning is carried out, removing the tops from young shoots. It aims to improve their spring growth. As for the root branches, they are also shortened. If you need the bush to branch more, then three buds are left, otherwise, only two.

How to trim boxwood - video