Boxwood Pruning Update: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!

An update on pruning overgrown boxwoods: Winter Gem Boxwoods and Dwarf English Boxwoods. The title “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly” refers to 3 outcomes I had from my recent pruning: boxwoods that still look great (The Good); boxwoods that don’t look their best (The Bad); and in two cases, boxwoods I pruned drastically to get them back to the size I want (The Ugly). I discuss bare stems not being dead stems, and show you new growth already sprouting from the uncovered bare stems inside the boxwoods. These boxwoods will ultimately rebound over time and become lovely evergreen shrubs again! Use the Chapter headings below to jump to a specific topic in the video. (Zone 7, southern New Jersey)
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro and Why are there good, bad and ugly pruning results?
1:38 - The Good! (Winter Gem Boxwoods in side yard)
4:46 - The Bad! (Winter Gem Boxwoods in side yard)
8:13 - The Bad! (Winter Gem Boxwood in backyard)
10:27 - The Ugly! (Dwarf English Boxwoods in backyard)
14:44 - Wrap up plus more pruning videos to watch!
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💚 MORE PRUNING VIDEOS TO WATCH 💚
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💚 CHELATED IRON FOR BOXWOODS 💚
I use Grow More EDDHA Iron Chelate 6.0% to help green up my boxwoods, if needed.
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💚 FERTILIZER FOR BOXWOODS 💚
Feed your Boxwoods in Spring after pruning with a slow-release organic fertilizer.
I use Plant-tone by Espoma: amzn.to/3iDjIQO
💚 GARDEN TOOLS USED FOR PRUNING 💚
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[@GinaBobbolina]

Nice job hand pruning them. Problem when boxwoods (or azaleas) are pruned with electric trimmers they end up looking like hockey pucks or meatballs. Hand pruning is definitely the way to go - much more natural look. Thanks for the sharing your results 👍🏼

[@jeangurnee]

I have camelia bushes that got frostbit this year, and a couple weeks ago I took two of them back pretty hard like your boxwoods (based upon your prior boxwood pruning video) and they are showing promise...so on to the next four. Trusting the process. Love the under construction or cone idea :D

[@GardenSanity]

Oh Jean, I’m so glad the camellias are doing well with your pruning! 👍 I love camellias, and they are still on my list to buy once I find the perfect spot. I couldn’t resist the “under construction” ideas! 🤣

[@barbaraclark9423]

Agree, good info! Just really cut back my boxwoods on the front walk.

[@GardenSanity]

Thank you Barbara! 😊 Sounds like you did a similar pruning to what I did. Before we know it, these shrubs will be back to their usual look! 💚

[@helenoleksyn5327]

Very informative Do you fertilize these boxwoods? Would that speed up the regrowth?

[@GardenSanity]

Thank you Helen! 😊 Yes, I fertilize with Plant-tone by Espoma -- there's a link above in the Description Box if you want to see what it is. Fertilizer doesn't speed up regrowth -- although sometimes chemical fertilizers will do that. I use slow-release organic fertilizer which feeds the soil, which in turn feeds the roots, which in turn nourishes the overall shrub. I like using this type of fertilizer because you put it down in the Spring and water it in, and that's all you have to do. 👍 Boxwoods actually regrow pretty quickly, but for my Ugly ones I shared, those will take a bit more time since they are practically starting from scratch. I hope this helps!

[@helenoleksyn5327]

How do you shape new young gem boxwoods and how much to trim.

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Helen, I offer boxwood pruning tips in my video about pruning overgrown boxwoods. (It’s linked above in the Description box.) Young boxwoods are best pruned using hand pruners or a pair of manual hedge shears. (I link to the ones I use above in the Description box.) How much to trim is up to you, as some gardeners like to keep their boxwoods trimmed into tidy shapes while other gardeners go for more of a natural shape. Again, I cover this in the first part of the video I mentioned along with other tips. The pruning is the same whether overgrown or younger shrubs. I hope the video linked above helps! 👍🌱😀