How to Care for Boxwood Beauties

Boxwood beauties (Carissa macrocarpa), also called natal plums, are hardy shrubs that grow from 1 to 20 feet tall, depending upon the variety. They have branches lined with sharp thorns and shiny, deep green leaves. Boxwood beauties produce white, star-shaped flowers that release a sweet fragrance at night. These are replaced by edible red fruits at various times throughout the year. The shrubs grow best in full sun and soil with excellent drainage. They are hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture Zones 9 through 11.

Spade
Mulch
General purpose fertilizer
Pruning shears
Thick clothing
Protective gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Plant the shrub at the depth it originally grew, and water it until the soil feels evenly moist.
- 2
  Layer 2 to 3 inches of mulch underneath the plant to control weeds.
- 3
  Water lightly when the top inch of soil dries out, usually during the first month after planting.
- 4
  Provide supplemental water only during extreme drought conditions after the first month.
- 5
  Apply general purpose fertilizer in early spring. Consult the package instructions to determine the rate of application, and water well after feeding to ensure that the granules penetrate the soil.
- 6
  Prune as needed throughout the year to maintain the preferred size and form. Wear thick clothing as well as protective gloves to prevent injury from the plant's sharp thorns.

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