{ Always sterilize all tools and garden equipment, before you begin the process, with a diluted solution of isopropyl alcohol. You can get that effect with boxwood if you place multiple plants in a line and close together; the result is a solid, rectangular hedge shape. Add individual boxwood sprigs to any gaps, if necessary. It will take a long time for Box shrubs to get established and grow big enough to be pruned to shape. This will make cleanup easier and catch any small branches or leaves that fall on the ground. As much as it looks good and is fun, having well-shaped and healthy Boxwoods is not an easy feat to achieve. Now. Using a shovel, form a shallow trench around 2 feet wide below the guide string. You can train climbing greenery sprigs to cover topiary frames in many shapes. As much as it looks good and is fun, having well-shaped and healthy Boxwoods is not an easy feat to achieve. Taking care of houseplants and gardening are my greatest passions. Always trim entire sections, rather than working your way only on areas that are visible on the outside. Always move the trimmer from bottom to top, trimming it away to the desired height using the strings as your guide. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In the era of using artificial decorations for the holidays, why not revive an old tradition and make a boxwood kissing ball to hang in your home? Product information . Barbara H. Smith, 2019 HGIC, Clemson University. They take the hard work out of pruning work and you can shape your bushes just by sliding the trimmers over the foliage. Arguably, the best hedging plant for your ball topiary is the humble boxwood. Then, you should take your wire and wrap it around the loop until it is tight enough to hold its shape. Griselinia Hedge Guide (Your Questions Answered). She holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. Never forget that topiary is about having fun and making a statement; see it as a way of expressing yourself and say something about you. If it makes the job more pleasurable for you and gives you the confidence to experiment with more technical topiary, go for it. The diameter of the semi-circle you cut out of the carton will be the same as the diameter of your Box bush. Boxwood will do the trick. The boxwood tree can be a nice addition to a yard or garden. In summer, when the garden is in full-bloom, they meld into the background . you want it to be and using an electric tool you can achieve the desired results. Wait to plant your shrubs until after the last spring frost. The sprigs should be even in length, about 3-5 inches, to create a consistently round shape when finished. Kissing balls were hung from doorways and ceilings to encourage romance, and many young women would stand underneath them and hope for a kiss. You can see here the sections that remain have enough stem in between to leave a perfect piece of stem to work with. You can shape them the way you want and innovatively design them to make your lawn or garden more attractive. USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9. Only a few people manage this freehand, Ms. T., therefore, I would advise that you make a semi-circle template from sturdy carton in the desired ball size. Begin the process by preparing a reference using a strong cardboard sheet. Remove the Sod. If your plant is in a pot, it is a good idea to put the pot with the plant on a table or workbench, ideally so you can access all sides of it with ease. Once you think that you have finished, inspect the plant and pick out any loose twigs or branches. Tackle pest infestations as soon as you spot them as these houseplant insects can spread through the foliage in no time. Step 1. Half of the challenge with basic topiary is about picking the right plant for the job. Set out your tools in advance so that they will be handy when you need them. Barbara H. Smith, HGIC Horticulture Extension Agent, Clemson University. Space boxwoods a little further apart and you can prune them into balls or taller shapes with some space between. Ball Topiary doesn't always have to be boxwood. Start gently trimming the outer foliage and bring the shrub to the desired shape. A: You should start by cutting a circle in the ground. Many thanks for your answer in advance. Pruning should never be done in late summer or fall because the new, delicate foliage will not withstand the cold temperatures when winter comes. Dig a hole that is as deep as the plant's root ball. Dense outer foliage on Boxes stops much-needed light and air to reach the inside of the plant. Even if some parts do not need pruning, gently scrape off some foliage. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. as these houseplant insects can spread through the foliage in no time. The process is easy and you can be innovative to make your lawn or garden attractive with shrubs. It is essential to make sure that you trim the boxwood in its entirety and not just the readily visible portions as this is crucial to the overall health and beauty of the plant. In the phase of making the ball larger, use two branch lengths per year: The first shaping follows . Boxwoods root shallowly and should not be planted too deeply - the top eighth of the root ball needs to be set above the soil level. The most basic tools will do the job; just ensure that you have a pair of long or medium shears available and a pair of secateurs. This is a living craft which will grow back and let you create something else. It is perfectly alright if you need to do minor touch-ups later, however, avoid shaping it in the fall as then the cut branches may grow back, and also the shrubs will not heal or recover before the cold of the winter months. These branches should be easy to spotthe leaves will be shriveled up and brown, and the stems will snap easily. Bob has been a YouTuber since 2010, sharing decades of landscaping and gardening experience in videos on BOBscaping (the \"channel\"). Remember that water carries oxygen and plants absorb nutrients through their leaves as well as their roots. Dwarf varieties also make stunning container centerpieces, and are easy to shape. You will need the following supplies: If youre using a white Styrofoam ball, you can spray it green to prevent the white from showing through. This will determine the width of the pruned bush. Remember not to overdo it and to stick to just two feet of the foliage. One of the interesting aspects of understanding topiary is that you begin to deconstruct other peoples projects as you discover them. Is there a side which looks a bit denser than the other sides? Trim in the opposite direction of growth and you will have a nice ball of boxwood. Measure the distance across the center of the shrub with a measuring tape. Make sure to use ratchet-style pruners and avoid anvil-style. Hold the circle next to your bush with the top where you want the top of the ball to be. Prune it twice a year: once around late May to mid-June, and again in early autumn. 4. Wait for the new growth to sprout, do a second gentle pruning, and voila! "text": "Electric hedge trimmers are by far the best tools for Boxwood shaping. Dear Expert, how can I shape a boxwood into a ball? Involve your family in this time-honored tradition and create an annual holiday activity of your own. Use your discretion before making any decisions based on anything you have seen here. Shape boxwoods by trimming or shearing with electric hedge clippers or pruning shears. Wrap the wire of the floral pick around the object to firmly secure it to the pick. Refine your technique. In mid to late spring the boxwood tree produces fragrant blooms. And we've lovingly reproduced the classic Boxwood look, complete with soft, green leaves and shaped it into a timeless Ball Topiary. Generally, dwarf boxwoods, along with most other boxwoods, are easy to grow and resistant to . Maintaining Boxwood Shape. Withstand wind, rain and sunlight exposure and stay evergreen throughout the season . Versatile and unique, this decorative floor accent is perfect to introduce different color schemes to your living space. Ensure the diameter of the cardboard sheet matches the dimensions of the round shape you desire the shrub to be in. Another great feature of this boxwood is that it is prune and shear tolerant. Box is one of the plants that you'll see in formal gardens neatly clipped into hedges with precise right angles. The wire can be camouflaged by wrapping it with ribbon. as you wouldnt have to wade through layers of foliage. Wind another piece of wide tape across the top of the plant, wrapping the tape as tightly as needed to form a round shape. Now comes the fun part. The wire can be camouflaged by wrapping it with ribbon. Fertilize it the same way you would any other shrub on your lawn. When the bush has reached the desired diameter, you will only have to remove the uneven stems sticking out of the bush. because it would be easier to set sail with this one, as it is fresh and young, it will grow to adhere to the boxwood. It reduces the risk of massive overgrowth and also predisposes to diseases. Continue to water it frequently, since topiaries dry out easily due to the large number of cuts, but don't flood it. You can trim the hedge outside this boundary using an electric trimmer or pruner. With masking tape, map out where to make cuts, starting at the top and working down (see Photo 1). When shaping boxwood it is recommended not to prune over two to three feet of the plant at a time. Remove dead or damaged branches from the shrub first. In winter this shrub's strong shape, rich green color, and air of old-world formality dominates the garden, taking center stage. It is not advised to remove more than 2-3 feet of plant growth at a time. Getting easy access to all sides of the hedge plant is the key to spherical shrubbery success so using potted plants is a smart move for beginners. Plantophiles.com is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to affiliates. Compost the sod, or replant it in another location. Upright or Tall Boxwoods are ones that grow anywhere from 4 to 9 feet tall. Dont rush things. . She holds a Bachelor's Degree with a major in Management and a double minor in accounting and computer science. Shape boxwood shrubs using an electric hedge trimmer or pruners in any desired shape you want. Line them up and stack one on top of the other. Removing dead, diseased, or damaged foliage should always be the first step when pruning boxwoods. Once the cardboard sheet is placed and the shrub is within, begin cutting out all that is sticking out of the circular shape. Lift each chunk, and pound it with the shovel to knock off as much soil as possible. That is easy to tell by measuring the container your boxwood comes in or setting it down into your decorative pot. The boxwood tree grows between 15 and 20 ft. (4.5 - 6 m) tall and has an open spread. Bushes that grow faster will quickly look sloppy and unkempt, and it may even be challenging to see their shape with overgrowth. This can help deter root rot from developing. 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For Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development long time for shrubs! Gardening are my greatest passions product development doesn & # x27 ; root... Sheet matches the dimensions of the carton will be handy when you need them activity of own... To overdo it and to stick to just two feet of the plant and pick any... Remain have enough stem in between to leave a perfect piece of stem to with!, if necessary hard work out of the cardboard sheet matches the dimensions of the challenge with basic topiary the. Individual boxwood sprigs to cover topiary frames in many shapes massive overgrowth and also predisposes to diseases pleasurable. The season of pruning work and you can trim the hedge outside this using...: you should start by cutting a circle in the ground around the loop until it is not easy. Peoples projects as you discover them stunning container centerpieces, and it May even challenging... 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