Content
Boxwood belongs to the genus of evergreen trees and shrubs. Planting and caring for boxwood in the Moscow region is available to any gardener who is patient in growing this interesting and unusual plant. Slow-growing evergreen trees and shrubs have an elastic, dense crown that is easy to trim.
Features of growing boxwood in central Russia
This beautiful evergreen shrub has won fame and love among gardeners in the Moscow region as an ideal material for hedges and park figures. The slow growth and longevity of boxwood allows you to create unique decorations in your garden and dacha with minimal care.
Evergreen boxwood has become popular in recent years in the Moscow region and the middle zone with a temperate climate.To grow unpretentious shrubs in the Moscow region, no special conditions are required.
Correctly selected varieties and installation of shelters for the winter will allow you to enjoy the evergreen shrub that came to the Moscow region from the southern latitudes for a long time.
The best varieties of boxwood for the Moscow region
In nature, there are more than fifty species and varieties of boxwood. There are trees up to 15 m. Some species of evergreen plants live up to 600 years. Such long-livers are not found among cultivated species. And the maximum growth of boxwood trees and shrubs in gardens does not reach more than 6 - 8 m.
Caucasian (Calchidian) boxwood
Caucasian (Calchidian) boxwood is the most frost-resistant of these evergreens. In the wild, it grows in the Mediterranean and the Caucasus. The following varieties are recommended for cultivation in the Moscow region:
- Blauer Heinz (Blauer Heinz) is a slow-growing evergreen shrub, reaching a height of 1 m. Dark green foliage with a bluish tint creates a beautiful crown. The flowers of the plant are light, greenish, and small. Boxwood of this variety tolerates long-term frosts better than others.
- Elegance - grows no more than a meter. The foliage of the crop is light green bordered. Usually has a spherical crown.
- Suffruticosis (Suffruticosa) the dense crown of a low (up to 1 m) shrub responds well to pruning. The light green crown is covered in small honey-bearing flowers in spring.
Small-leaved boxwood
Small-leaved boxwood tolerates winter frosts less well. But even among this type of evergreen shrubs there are frost-resistant varieties suitable for growing in the Moscow region.
- Winter Jam - can reach 1.5 m.The dense crown of a descendant of Japanese or Korean boxwoods lends itself well to formation. The plant is distinguished by its rapid growth, which is rare for shrubs and trees of this species. This is the most frost-resistant variety, which can survive at temperatures down to -30 degrees without shelter. But in the Moscow region it is advisable to cover boxwood of this variety.
- Faulkner small-leaved refers to slow-growing evergreen shrubs. The maximum crop can reach one and a half meters. The bush is compact. The natural shape of its crown allows you to create spherical shapes. Tolerates frosts of the Moscow region well.
Balearic boxwood
The Balearic type of boxwood with large foliage is characterized by rapid growth and special decorativeness. Coming from the Balearic Islands, in central Russia and the Moscow region it can only be grown as a tub crop. The plant does not tolerate winter frosts.
Evergreen boxwood
Evergreen boxwood should not be planted in open ground. All varieties of this type do not tolerate cold weather well, so they are also suitable for growing in tubs. In the Moscow region, it is better to refuse to choose an evergreen type of shrub.
Planting and caring for boxwood in the Moscow region
To grow boxwood in the Moscow region, you should select the correct illumination of the planting area. The foliage of the shrub does not tolerate bright light and heat. Therefore, it is recommended to plant boxwood in partial shade.
Does not like bushes and drafts. When planting, it is better to choose a place near the wall of a house or near a large tree. In this case, the distance to the wall must be at least a meter for normal formation and development of the root system.
Landing dates
Boxwood is planted in open ground both in spring and autumn.In the Moscow region and the middle zone, planting and caring for boxwood depend on the timing of the onset of cold weather. When planted in the ground in the spring, the plant will have time to fully take root and adapt. In the fall, in the Moscow region, it is better to bury the plant in the garden and cover it in order to plant it in a permanent place in April.
Preparing the landing site and soil
Boxwood grows and develops well in loose, fertile soils. Be sure to provide him with good drainage. The moisture-loving shrub does not tolerate excessive soil moisture. In the presence of stagnant water, the plant is more often susceptible to fungal diseases.
Boxwood does not develop well in acidic soils. Experts recommend adding a little lime to the planting hole. To increase moisture and breathability, vermiculite or other drainage mixture should be added not only to the bottom, but also to the soil.
Ideally, the soil for planting boxwood consists of 50% mature compost. The remaining half should contain fertile soil and coarse river sand.
It is necessary that the planting pit for boxwood is three times the volume of the seedling's earthen ball. If strip planting is planned, then it is advisable to prepare a common trench.
Rules for planting boxwood in the Moscow region
With the increase in demand for boxwood seedlings for creating hedges and ornamental plantings, the risk of acquiring infected plants in the Moscow region has increased. Therefore, before planting in the ground, gardeners advise keeping the container with the bush in quarantine for 1 - 2 weeks.
It is recommended to water seedlings with a closed root system abundantly a day before planting to avoid injury to the root when released from the planting container. Some gardeners soak the root system in settled water for 10 - 12 hours.If you suspect an infection, you can soak it in a fungicide solution.
Planting an evergreen shrub seedling in the ground should be done in cloudy weather or in the evening. A fragile plant can be severely damaged by sunlight. If after planting in the Moscow region the weather is hot and sunny, then it is advisable to shade the boxwood bushes.
Landing algorithm:
- Place a drainage layer of 2 - 3 cm at the bottom of the hole.
- Mix the soil in half with the drainage mixture.
- Carefully release the root system.
- Place the plant in the hole and straighten the root.
- Cover the seedling with prepared moist soil, compacting it gently.
Over the next 2 to 3 days, the settling soil under the plant should be replenished. To prevent water from spreading when watering, experienced gardeners recommend placing a small earthen roll around the planting hole at a distance of about 20 cm from the boxwood trunk. The resulting circle can be covered with perlite to minimize water evaporation.
Watering and fertilizing
Boxwood requires abundant and regular watering. In hot weather with a lack of moisture, the leaves of the plant quickly turn yellow.
A bush 20–30 cm high requires up to 3 liters of liquid. A meter tall boxwood will require up to 10 liters of water. During dry periods, you should not increase the frequency of watering. It is more important to add the volume of liquid poured under each boxwood bush.
In the spring, when warm weather sets in, the soil under the evergreen bushes must be loosened and mulched with a layer of peat. At the same time, the mulch should not be allowed to touch the trunk or new shoots.
The first fertilizing when planting boxwood in the ground in spring is carried out a month later.The fertilizer must contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It doesn’t hurt to feed established seedlings with organic matter. You can use cow manure at a dilution of 1:10 or poultry manure at a dilution of 1:20.
Monthly fertilizing with nitrogen is required during the period of intensive growth of the bush. In autumn, nitrogen is not needed in the fertilizer. But phosphorus and potassium will not be superfluous. When planting boxwood in the fall in the Moscow region, nitrogen fertilizers should not be used.
Special fertilizers have also been developed for boxwood, which can be applied to the soil before planting and fed during the growth period.
Buxus Azet, produced in Holland, contains, in addition to organic components, soil bacteria and mycorrhizae. Natural organic fertilizer is ideally balanced and includes a full range of microelements for feeding boxwood. One kilogram of Buxus Azet will be enough to fertilize plantings on an area of 10 square meters. m.
Trimming
The main reason why boxwood is loved by gardeners in the Moscow region is the shrub’s predisposition to form various objects. An evergreen plant can be shaped into a ball or circle. For experienced craftsmen, boxwood can decorate the garden in the form of any most fantastic figure.
Trimming of plantings in the Moscow region can begin in April. Only young shoots are shortened. At the same time, the branching of the bush is stimulated. Preventative pruning in order to maintain the chosen shape in the Moscow region must be carried out at least once a month.
Protection from diseases and pests
Boxwood is a poisonous plant. Therefore, there are few pests ready to try its leaves. But the boxwood moth is not afraid of poison.This butterfly is capable of completely destroying a plant in a short time.
If cobwebs appear on the shoots, and small yellow-green caterpillars with dark spots on their heads are found inside the bush, then the plant needs to be rescued urgently.
To combat the pest, chemical and biological preparations are used. The different composition and mode of action make it possible to effectively destroy the boxwood moth at all stages of development.
- Fufanon - organophosphorus insecticide produced in Denmark. Malathion in its composition affects the digestive system of insects. Dilute 1 ml of the drug in a liter of water and carefully spray the boxwood leaves on all sides. The protection period is up to two weeks.
- Aktellik – a non-systemic insecticide that affects the insect through direct contact. The drug does not accumulate in the leaves. Spraying boxwood bushes should be carried out with a solution of 2 ml of the drug in a liter of water. The protective effect does not exceed two weeks in dry weather. At air temperatures above 25 degrees, processing is not recommended.
- Aktara – Swiss systemic drug of contact-intestinal action. Effective against most pests. The components included in the product additionally stimulate the growth and development of plants. For 10 liters of water, 8 ml of Aktara is required. Spraying helps not only to destroy the boxwood moth, but also to protect the bush for up to 2 months.
- Aktofit - a biological insecticide for protection against pests, which contains avermectin, a fungus that negatively affects the nervous system of insects. The drug is the least dangerous for humans and the environment.
How boxwood winters in the Moscow region
Contrary to fears, the evergreen southern boxwood in the Moscow region tolerates frost quite easily in winter. The main thing is that the area where the plant is planted is not exposed to direct sunlight. Otherwise, an early thaw in the Moscow region in the spring and drying cold in the winter will destroy the plant.
When choosing a place to grow boxwood, you should take into account the height of the snow cover. Natural protection and proper care will help boxwood to spend the winter in the Moscow region without loss.
How to cover boxwood for the winter in the Moscow region
Even the warmest shelter will not save heat-loving boxwood from frost if preparatory measures are not taken.
Before covering boxwood for the winter in the Moscow region, it is necessary to saturate the roots of the bush with moisture. Preparations begin 1.5 - 2 weeks before the onset of cold weather. After watering, the circle around the trunk must be mulched to a height of 10 cm. In this case, the mulch should not be allowed to touch the trunk. The indentation should be left up to 2 cm in a circle.
For mulching, it is better to take peat or rotted pine needles. Dry leaves should not be used. By overheating, they can infect the boxwood root system with fungal mold.
It is recommended to cover shrubs in the Moscow region with non-woven material. Plastic film is not suitable for protecting plants in winter. Airtight material creates increased humidity when exposed to sunlight. This is dangerous for evergreen branches and can lead to their rotting.
Protruding branches of the bush should be tied up, and supports should be installed for covering material. This is necessary to create an air layer between the shelter and the branches of the bush.Additionally, supports will protect the plant from the weight of the snow layer.
For tall boxwood bushes, it is advisable to install frame supports that will protect them from damage during snowstorms that often rage in the Moscow region.
To cover low-growing boxwood bushes, you can use wooden boxes with holes for air intake.
Before the onset of winter frosts and the thermometer dropping below 10 degrees, you should not tightly tie the covering material. If there is insufficient ventilation, boxwood may be subject to damping off.
The second stage of covering consists of throwing pre-prepared spruce branches over the covering material.
In the spring in the Moscow region, you should not rush to take off warm clothes from boxwood bushes. It is necessary to gradually accustom the plants to sunlight. Shelters should be opened slightly for some time to allow plants to breathe and remove excess condensation.
It is possible to completely remove the shelter in the Moscow region in the spring, when the top layer of soil warms up and the roots begin to wake up after the winter cold. Otherwise, under the sun's rays, the branches and leaves will quickly give up the accumulated moisture and may dry out before the root system awakens.
Boxwood propagation
The easiest and most economical way to propagate boxwood is by cuttings. Young shoots are cut from a healthy bush and planted in a light mixture of sand and fertile soil. You can use pieces of branches left over from the summer trimming of boxwood. To speed up rooting, you can use special preparations: Kornevin or its analogues.
The seedling is ready for planting in a permanent place when new shoots begin to develop.
Growing boxwood from seeds is much more difficult. Ripe seeds must be collected in late autumn. Before sowing, they are germinated for a long time on damp cloth. This period is often about a month. All this time you need to moisten the seeds with water. Sprouted seeds should be planted with the sprouts facing down in light sandy soil.
The method of propagation by seeds is a labor-intensive task, since the seed material has difficult germination. Yes, and it is very difficult to collect it with regular haircuts.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for boxwood in the Moscow region is not difficult. To create unique living garden decorations you will need high-quality planting material, the right choice of variety and a little effort.
