Hedges in garden plots are becoming increasingly popular in Russia. One of the plants suitable for its cultivation is boxwood.
is he suitable for frames of flower beds, design of the edge of garden paths, and even as a shelter from prying eyes.
How to grow?
How to grow a hedge from boxwood? This plant is unpretentious and can grow in almost any conditions.
The only condition for his successful cultivation - compliance with the rules of planting. Is required observance of certain conditions (we described the features of growing boxwood and the rules for caring for it in this article).
Planting time
Saplings can be planted, starting in March and ending in November. But ideal term is landing in june-july.
Of course, in these hot and often dry months requires abundant wateringbut the shrub is well established. This will allow young plants to safely transfer the winter frosts (how to prepare boxwood for wintering, read here).
Soil composition
Boxwood loves sour soil. If the acidity in your area is not sufficient, you can increase it by adding peat.
In addition, bushes will grow well if there are enough magnesium. It is possible to regulate its content with the help of timely application of mineral fertilizers.
If sand prevails in the soil, increase its nutritional value by adding humus, black soil.
For starting rooting fertilizers need to be applied to the soil; it is preferable to use compounds with a high nitrogen content.
Landing technique
Saplings with a good root system are placed in pits or trenches.
After sprinkling the roots, compact the ground around and make a well. It will subsequently linger water when watering.
Watering
For rooting the box, you need a sufficient amount of moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to water regularly and abundantly.
Preservation of soil moisture
This can be achieved by regularly applying mulching. The roots of boxwood are small, and under the influence of heat, they quickly dry out. Protect from negative consequences can shelter a mulch layer of 6-7 centimeters.
It is not advisable to use for mulching needles or oak sawdust.
Too large a layer can not be done, as the roots begin to grow and go deeper into the ground, and this will put them at risk of drying out.
Do not sprinkle the plant's root neck.so as not to block the access of air to the roots.
Landing patterns for creating various shapes
To make the shrub look like a hedge, when landing is used a cord stretched along the line, fixed with pegs. An interesting method of applying to the turf along the line of paint cord from a can. The trench dug along this line will be perfectly flat, and the boxwood fence will be the same.
Trench prepared by removing the turf. The trench width is about 60 cm. The depth depends on the root system of the acquired bushes. The roots should be submerged to the full height.
Usually have bushes in one row. But if you need to create a dense and wide fence, you can make two rows, or plant the plants in a checkerboard pattern.
Distance between instances - 35-45 centimeters.
If you want to create border in the form of a circle, for planting inside flower arrangements, draw a circle with the help of available tools. Stick a peg into the center of the future circle with a cord tied to it or a rope with a length equal to the radius of the future circle.
Tie a can of paint to the other end. Outline the circle, evenly tightening the rope and walking around the peg. You will have a perfect circle and you will plant a box bed along it with boxwood bushes.
How to create the perfect hedge?
To give the necessary form to a live fence from a box will help you timely formative trimming. If it is not done, the bushes quickly lose their shape and decoration.
When to cut boxwood? Haircut for young bushes is needed several times during the season - in spring, in the middle of summer, in early autumn (you can learn about the rules of care for boxwood in the fall here). From the second year the procedure is carried out once a year.
Trimming is carried out using garden shears or pruners. There are also special professional scissors for trimming shrubs. Make sure the cutting tools have sharp blades, otherwise the trimmed tips will shag and lose beauty.
Cut the bushes only in the evening so that the bright sun does not burn the leaves.
After trimming Liberally pour water over the bushes with fertilizer, as the procedure is stress for the plant. And it will help him recover quickly.
Save the desired height will help cut off shoots directly above the ramifications.
Pruning side shoots contributes to the formation of dense, dense bushes.
To give curbs the correct geometric shape, you can use a metal grid, worn over the bushes. All shoots sticking through it are subject to pruning.
It is also necessary to remove all dried and damaged branches, they give the bushes an untidy look.
Shoots and foliage of boxwood toxictherefore it is recommended to work in gloves and sleeves.
Photo
Boxwood - shrub, which seems to be specially created for growing as a hedge. Plant it on your plot, and in a couple of years you will receive a charming green fence that will adorn the entire garden.
