Planting and caring for boxwood in the Leningrad region
The boxwood tree and shrub that has recently become fashionable, although not too whimsical, requires certain knowledge. To get the best results, you need to know exactly how to plant and care for boxwood.
Description of boxwood
This plant is highly prized for its appearance and other properties:
- Beautiful crown.
- Succulent leaves with a bright and rich color.
- Withstands a large number of haircuts.
- Under favorable conditions, the life of this plant can reach 600 years or more. At the same time, it will grow extremely slowly.
Planting boxwood
Planting and caring for boxwood in the Leningrad region does not present any difficulties for a person who is even a little familiar with the basics of gardening. The only difference from the southern regions of Russia is the cooler climate, which narrows the planting period for boxwood shrubs. The procedure can be carried out from the second half of April to the first half of October. If the boxwood tree was planted in the summer, then it is necessary to water much more often than with autumn or spring plantings, so that the plant takes root well.
If you need to transplant adult plants that are already several years old, then the seedlings are taken with a lump of earth in which they grew before. You can transplant at any time of the year, except for the winter months. If you purchase seedlings of a shrub or boxwood tree shortly before the onset of frost, it is better to dig them in a shady place or cover them with a film that protects from the sun's rays until April.
Do not dig in hollows where ice can form. The best way to overwinter boxwood is to completely cover it with snow in a soil that allows moisture to pass through well.
When transplanting plants from a container, you should carefully consider the root system. She is often intertwined, which does not allow her to switch to other growth conditions in a timely manner. This problem can be solved by "teasing" the roots. This term implies the release of the outer part of the root system so that they can continue to grow in the right direction. It is best to carry out the procedure with a thin, oblong object. And don't worry about the potential damage to the roots, because if they are not straightened, they will be useless.
When a single bush or boxwood tree is planted, a hole is dug. In case of planting hedge it is necessary to make a shallow trench. Place boxwood seedlings in them, making sure that the roots go below the mark of the old coma or container.
When planting, it should be borne in mind that the soil around the trunk should be slightly deepened so that it retains water near the plant.
If, when digging a hole at a depth exceeding 20-30 centimeters, sand, clay or other kind of soil poor in minerals is found, then the hole is cleaned and deepened even more.A layer of fertile soil is poured into the freed space.
To organize a hedge from a boxwood shrub in one row, it is necessary to use from four to five plant seedlings, which are planted at a distance of 20-25 centimeters. The number of seedlings depends on the length of the fence.
Plant care
The most crucial time of the year for caring for boxwood is winter and the second half of November. It is during this period that temperature drops occur, which can lead to the appearance of excess moisture or superficial frostbite of the root system and trunk.
To avoid death or serious damage to the plant, it is necessary in the fall, a few days before the first frost, to fill the boxwood with plenty of water.
It is advisable to mulch the ground with peat or rotten needles of coniferous trees. You should not use fallen leaves for this, because it can grow old and lead to fungal diseases that can destroy the boxwood.
After the steps described above, you need to wait until the temperature drops to -10 ° C or lower and then start winter care. To do this, cover the box with wooden or plastic boxes, which will allow it to be insulated. Ventilation holes must be made in the boxes. This method is great for a globular boxwood tree. Smaller boxwood shrubs can be covered with any non-woven material that needs to be tied up so that a large amount of snow does not break off the plants.