How to Prune Boxwood Plants

Boxwoods come in English and Asian varieties, as well as full-sized and dwarf sizes. All boxwoods produce a canopy of broad, evergreen foliage and have a characteristic box shape. They are low-maintenance shrubs that are common in the landscape, but they do need regular pruning. Shearing very young boxwoods encourages the canopy to become dense and lush, afterwards annual thinning prevents the interior of the plant from dying.

Pruning shears
Bypass shears

Instructions

- 1
  Remove winter damage each spring. Winter damaged leaves look tan or brown. Cut these damaged shoots off with pruning shears, just above a lateral branch on the stem.
- 2
  Shear young boxwoods their first two springs after planting. Do this by cutting off the top 1/2 inch of new growth on the top and sides of the plant, giving it a uniform shape and causing the canopy to become more dense.
- 3
  Stop shearing plants after their second winter. Further shearing causes the canopy to become overly dense, preventing sunlight from reaching the interior leaves.
- 4
  Thin the boxwoods each winter with bypass pruners. Pull the boxwood branches back to expose the interior of the plant. Cut out one branch 6 inches below the canopy. Repeat by removing one branch every 18 inches or so, until you have removed 10 percent of the outer canopy.

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