How to Grow Japanese Boxwood

Locate a well-draining site with exposure to partial shade in your yard or garden, preferably away from downspouts and other areas that remain wet most of the time. Test the pH of the soil with a home testing kit six weeks before planting, and adjust it with sulfur or lime so it falls between 5.5 and 7.5.

Dig a planting hole as deep as the rootball of the Japanese boxwood plant, but two times as wide. Set the plant at the same depth as its nursery container and backfill the hole with dirt. Avoid deep planting that reduces plant vigor and causes its health to decline. Tamp the dirt around the base of the boxwood until it is firm.

Irrigate the Japanese boxwood deeply after planting to encourage the development of a healthy and well-branched root system. Afterward, provide deep irrigation one to two times a week.

Spread 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch around the base of the Japanese boxwood to conserve soil moisture, keep the roots cool, prevent weeds from growing nearby and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the planting site. Use organic mulches such as wood chips, pine needles or bark mulch. Space the mulch 4 inches from the stem and extend it to at least 1 foot beyond its canopy of leaves.

Fertilize the Japanese boxwood two times a year, preferably in spring, just before new growth, and again in midsummer. Follow label directions for fertilizer rates and space the granules at least 6 inches from the stems.

Shear or cut back the Japanese boxwood after every growth the first two to three years to encourage branching. Afterward, prune it every spring to invigorate growth, remove branches damaged during the winter and maintain the desired shape or form. Use sharp, sterilized pruning equipment and discard plant clippings.