Grooming the Pergola Boxwood
This time of year can be very hectic - my gardeners and outdoor grounds crew are busy keeping up with all the growth in the garden beds.
Summer is coming to a close, but there is still lots of work to be done - weeding, pruning, and grooming the many perennial plants and shrubs. Recently, Phurba Sherpa tackled the boxwood border along one side of my clematis pergola.
Enjoy these photos.
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- These boxwood shrubs along both sides of my winding pergola were grown from small saplings nurtured right here at the farm. There are more than 300 boxwood shrubs planted here.
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- I love boxwood and grow a lot of it around the farm. Buxus is a genus of about 70 species in the family Buxaceae. Common names include box or boxwood. The boxes are native to western and southern Europe, southwest, southern and eastern Asia, Africa, Madagascar, northernmost South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The leaves on boxwood branches are arranged opposite from each other, making pairs.
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- Some of you may recall, I planted the boxwood in September 2017. I decided this area would be great if planted with a row of boxwood on both sides. This photo shows the area all ready for planting.
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- The boxwood we used had been growing in this patch for about three years. Finally they were ready to transplant to their more permanent spots under the pergola.
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- Each shrub was placed in a plastic pot and then groups of potted boxwoods were carefully transported.
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- Every boxwood was positioned perfectly, two-feet apart from the next. It was a big project for the entire crew.
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- These were some of the first ones planted. Boxwood can grow in full sun and partial shade.
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- At the time, these shrubs were only about a foot tall, but every one in excellent condition.
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- Exactly six years later, they are all more than double the size and every one is touching. It is amazing to see the growth difference.
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- Here, one can see the newest growth. Boxwoods are slow growing compared to many other shrubs, with growth rate depending on the variety. Typically, the growth rate for most varieties is three to six inches per year. These needed a thorough grooming.
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- The crew does most of the hedge pruning around the farm by hand. Everyone uses Japanese Okatsune shears specially made for trimming hedges. These shears are user friendly, and come in a range of sizes.
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- To groom the tops and sides, Phurba keeps the shears close to him with his hands midway down the handles. This allows the best control.
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- I prefer this method of trimming because the cuts are very clean and smooth when done by hand. Look closely here and see where some of the leaves have been clipped. It is also very important that the tools be sharp.
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- Here, one can see the right is pruned while the left is not. We groom and prune the boxwood at least once a year.
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- As Phurba works his way down the border, he stops occasionally to check his work and to make sure the boxwood looks evenly done.
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- Once a large section is done, the entire space looks markedly different. Here is a row of mature boxwood after trimming – they look so much better.
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- Behind the pergola is this giant weeping copper beech tree – I love these trees with their gorgeous form and rich color.
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- In the back bed, I also have Perovskia atriplicifolia, commonly called Russian sage, growing. This plant shows tall, airy, spike-like clusters that create a lavender-blue cloud of color above the finely textured, aromatic foliage. It is vigorous, hardy, heat-loving, drought-tolerant, and deer resistant.
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- It looks so pretty planted in masses.
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- Mixed in is catnip, which I have grown for many years, especially for my cats. Catnip herb grows best in well-draining soil in the full sun but will tolerate part sun and a wide variety of soil types.
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- And here’s a closer look at the newly groomed boxwood. I am so pleased with how it’s developing. My gardens are constantly evolving. The entire border is just so beautiful – in spring when it blooms with gorgeous purple and blue; in summer when it features all the bright orange lilies; and, in autumn, with all its bold greenery.
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