How to Trim Boxwood Plants Into Animals

Trimming boxwood plants into animals can be a relaxing and creative outlet. Boxwood plants lend themselves well to maintaining shapes as they are a slow growing, sturdy plant. Simple electric and hand held shears are all the tools that are needed to complete the project, though a certain amount of artistic talent is needed to create the specific animals. A bird or a cat is a good animal for beginners to start with, as they require little detail and can be trimmed out of a basic square shape.

Electric shears
Landscaping sticks
Hand-held shears

Instructions

- 1
  Trim your boxwood plants in the spring or early fall when the leaves are new on the plant.
- 2
  Decide on the animal you want to make. Having a printed picture handy while trimming is a good idea, as this will help you to achieve the basic shape.
- 3
  Using electric pruning shears, shape your boxwood into a square formation. A square can be the starting shape for many animals.
- 4
  Place landscaping sticks in the boxwood to show where the head and tail of your animal will be. Begin shaping the boxwood with the trimmers into the general shape of the animal.
- 5
  Trim any sharp corners away from the animals body shape to give the figure a more rounded appearance.
- 6
  Using a pair of non-electric hand-held shears, work on specific details of the head and tail. Carefully trim areas of the boxwood to create ears and indentations for eyes or protrusions for a nose. Frequently, stand back about 15 feet to examine your work as this will be the best angle to view your creation.

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