How to Plant a Wintergreen Boxwood Hedge

Loosen the soil in the planting area to the depth of 12 inches by breaking up the soil with a shovel. Pick a site that is partially shady with well-draining soil. Avoid sites near the corners of structures and hilltops since these spots can expose the wintergreen boxwood to wind damage.

Dig a hole that is twice as wide and as deep as the root-ball. Planting too deeply can cause the wintergreen boxwood to loose its vigor and go into a decline. Place your boxwood in the planting hole.

Backfill the hole with soil. Firm the soil with your feet to keep the shrub in place. Plant the rest of the hedge 1 to 2 1/2 feet apart. For a thick hedge, plant another row of shrubs 2 feet from the first row.

Water deeply to settle to soil around the wintergreen boxwood and help the plants recover from transplant shock. Provide water to the hedge every week while it is becoming established, which will take about two years.

Spread 2 to 3 inches of pine straw or pine bark mulch around the wintergreen boxwood plants. Keep the mulch 3 inches from the base of the plants and extend the mulch 12 inches beyond the leaves. Resupply the mulch every year.