How to Grow a Boxwood Hedge

Select a site that receives full sun with some shade during the day. Avoid planting in continual shade because this leads to spindly growth. Boxwood plants are well adapted to a range of soils as long as they are well drained with a preferred pH of 6.5 to 7.0.

Measure the length of ground where your proposed hedge will be. Mark a line using flour or colored spray paint, and make points at every one foot. You need one small- to medium-sized plant at every foot for creating a hedge.

Buy healthy plants from reliable sources. Slip the plants out of their containers and inspect the roots. Do not buy plants that have rotted or dark roots or galls present on roots. Read the label to select a variety that will grow to your desired hedge height.

Dig planting holes that are twice as wide as the root ball. The depth needs to be similar to the depth of the container. Do not plant too deep because this can cause root rot and poor health. Keep the top of the root ball 1 or 2 inches above the soil line. Fill in the hole with soil, and pat around the plant to remove any air pockets.

Apply 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch, such as pine bark or pine straw, starting 2 to 3 inches away from the trunk and stems and extending about a foot beyond the canopy.

Water well, and then water once every week until the plants are well established. Hold back water during periods of rain. Avoid overhead irrigation methods, because they can cause foliage disorders. Do not overwater.

Start pruning new growth lightly as plants grow. Maintain an even height. Do not prune heavily at the start, but prune only enough to encourage growth. Keep the base of the hedge slightly wider than the top to keep lower foliage from suffering from lack of light.