i never dreamed, this was the way, to trim boxwood's.Your video, is very detailed, especially, for a first time boxwood trimmer,like me.I was, going to be, one of, the electric shearing trimmers,so glad I looked for the correct way before,i tackled trimming. Thanks for being a excellent teacher.
Could you please put out more rejuvenation/renewal pruning videos? I have taken back my yard with selective pruning and tell everyone that will listen. (Camellia, rhododendron, azalea, forsythia, etc.) These are my favorite videos on RUclips!
Thank you for being awesome and so informative. You've helped me not be afraid of my landscaping and also helped me not to kill everything. So appreciate it.
Thanks so much for your advice. I have 6 small free-standing boxwoods that have never been pruned in the 4 years that they've been in my lawn. I've been reluctant/afraid to tackle them. Now I'm looking forward to helping them with some pruning!
your videos are the most informative videos that I have watched, I have worked for myself in gardening maintenance for 11 years, and been in the field for 16 years. I am certified with Ohio Nursery & Landscaping , but no degree. all of my experience & knowledge comes from research and hands on. I always enjoy hearing others opinions on how to's and why in the gardening world. Thank You for the videos !!!!!!
Thank you so much for the help and expertise! Our box woods now fit our our more rustic/natural woodland setting. And the side opposite the sun are filling back in.
Thank you for an excellent video. I live in Asheville NC. I have four Boxwoods that are over 10 feet tall and have been gowning 40 years. I have others in the front of the house that vary between 4 and 6 feet. Just noticed that the rear of a number of Boxwoods growing in front of the house are bare on the backside. I'm worried because we have had a really good rainy summer and worry about fungus. My husband said it was because they were not getting enough sun and we had some limbs removed from a Maple growing near by. It looks like I will have to go into the bush to prune since some are so tall. A big Boxwood in the front of the house has golden yellow leaves on the top of the bush over a wide part of the top. Worried most about this one has it has been healthy. Winter was extremely cold with below 0 temps a few time.
I really like how your videos are so detailed. I am a hands on person so learning something new by watching a video can be difficult for me. Also, you always give it a personal touch. Some folks are very dry and boring when it comes these things. Thank you so much and keep up the good teaching.
You probably won't see this in time. I was wondering about pruning off some of the dense nodes. I moved about 12 large shrubs from around the house into a line along the driveway. Just too big for the flower gardens. The main branches grow out and branch off heavily at a single node at the edge of the plant. I've decided to cut those bundles off as much as possible so I'll get more individual branches from deep areas on other branches. Am I thinking right? Pretty sure it's from the previous owners trying to prune back as far as they can with hedge sheers and stopping at that point because they hit the hardwood-causing these bundles. Lastly, you were saying that you clear out the middle. After you clear out the middle and then let light in aren't we then encouraging leaf growth inside the plant where you wanted the air space? Thanks!
I trimmed a Boxwood that was about 20ft down to 5ft my customer said it looked much better but it looked pretty terrible to me bunch of dead spots seemed impossible to get it perfectly square she was happy with it and paid more than I charged but I wasn't happy with it
A picture of what the boxwood looked like after a few weeks or months would have been good. The thinning made it look worse in some ways although I know that's only temporary.
Indeed. Do you have a video on trying to get one of these evergreens under control after it hasn't been pruned/sheared for years (if ever)? I saw the video on the privet but that's not an evergreen. I'd guess the same things shown in this video and the companion one apply but it may take longer to fill the plant back in or wrestle it back under control.
Presumably one carries out pruning of dead, diseased, decaying and grossing first? (I've never learned pruning properly) You are far more relaxed about snakes than I would be if they were commonly found here.
Thank you so much for this video. This is my first spring in our new home and it seems that the previous home owner did not do much in the way of pruning so we have boxwoods that I will trying this technique on for sure. Would you have advice on pruning and caring for Arborvitae hedges? We have a row of about 20 of them that are there for privacy and some seem to have browned over the winter. Thank again, much appreciated!
Is it OK to do it during the winter when it's dormant? I would have thought so, but I've read elsewhere that you shouldn't do it until there isn't a threat of frost.
You don't want to prune in mid to late Fall and encourage new growth that can be hit by frost. Once the cold weather is here for good you are ok to prune boxwood and Japanese holly.
@@CTSCAPER Thanks. I ask because in my area in the UK the local Boxwood's are increasingly losing their leaves on the top 1 inch of surface over winter which is still a bit of a mystery for me, despite some claiming it's a consequence of blight and bad circulation. This is possible, but I've also noticed that the leaves sometimes freeze which I'm guessing can also lead to leaf drop. But come spring, the leaves always return so the damage isn't long term.
@@BarriosGroupie Wait, we're in the UK? If the boxwood is in a very open, and windy area, they can get windburn. If somebody took a hedge clipper to a boxwood a month or two before frost the tender growth would die back like that as well. Like you say it is a temporary injury. Have you experienced boxwood blight over there? We're starting to lose some to that over here.
I've been trimming my boxwoods with hedge clippers for many years and the inside the plant are many tiny dead branches. They've been trimmed heavily to a formal round shape and all the foliage is only on the outside 4 inches or so. I'm feeling overwhelmed on where to start correcting this problem since there is so little foliage to work with. Please help!
I am trying to transplant two huge boxwoods that I received for free from a neighbor who was redoing his landscaping. The foliage is just as you explain when someone only clips the ends...dead looking until you get to the tips (which are green). First question is: Should I plant them and then prune them or prune them and then plant? Or does it matter? Also, I'm not crazy about having no new growth for two to three years, but I think all the dead stuff needs to be pruned to promote growth, so is there some happy medium? Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. Your videos are so helpful!
I love this approach, thanks for sharing it. We bought a house and it has a dozen or so small boxwoods scattered in the flower bed out front - they don't grow very large, and I'm wondering if this approach will help them fill out a bit. They're consistently about 2 feet in diameter (I've lived here two years), and wonder if this approach might help them. Thoughts?
Any tips on how to prune Berberis thunbergii 'Kobold' Barberry for shape and size and the time of year to prune? I see opinions all over the place from deep/selective pruning to shearing to both. Thanks!
It's a popular cultivar here in NYS because it's hardy and thorny so the dear don't bother it. It's also a slow grower. The first year or two is not a problem, but after that branches have a tendency to what I call "bouquet" meaning that bunches of the shrub grow unevenly making it difficult to address with pruners. This is in contrast to a rosey glow where individual shoots get a little independent and grow out and bend over. I will try a combination approach and see how it goes. If I remember, in Spring, I will report back on how the shrub responded. Thanks for responding.
HI John - nice videos. I have a kind short hedge going up my front stairs thats a combo of Japanese holly and boxwood. All the growth is on the outside. Can I cut it down really low (I know it will be ugly for a while)? It will just be sticks but I want it to look more natural like the boxwoods you are pruning in this video.
You can do that but it's going to take 2-3 years to look 'respectable' again. I have to caution you that there have been times when I've pruned shrubs low and they didn't come back. If you're tired of the overgrown look and want to try cutting them back hard before talking the time and effort to replace them you can go for it.
im making a boxwood bonsai and im wondering if its okay for me to root prune half of its roots..its like cylinder shaped and about 4-5 inches in length of the cylinder shape, and I don't want to kill it but I want to make small to fit in a little pot for bonsai
hello, just want to say "love your show". You explain things very clear and in detail as well. Quick question, I have some very old privet hedge which have not been selectively pruned for years, and become very leggy. I like to give it a try this year, but when is good time to pruning it? It is May 1 at zone 6A in Mass, still there are small buds on my privet hedge. Thank you so much!
Hi I'm really into gardening and I recently started working at a garden center. I want to further my knowledge on plants and gardening and things like fertilizingn pruning, knowing plant pests and how to treat the plants when they get sick. I want to be an overall master gardener and plant person. Do you know what college or university will teach and train me hands on to become a master at my craft?
In CT the only options are UConn or Naugatuck Valley communicty college. CT also has a master gardener program that teaches courses that will help you. The CT Nursery and Landscape Association also has a course for people new to garden centers and the industry teaching the basics.
Thank you for your video. I appreciate the time you took to inform us who don't know. I have been pruning my boxwood with hedge clippers for a couple of years. If I try your selsctive pruning method, which I prefer from your results, will my boxwood be okay? They are only 1-2 feet high and very dense. I'm afraid they won't look good or won't regrow. When would be the best time to prune?
***** Thank You! I don't remember what I purchased. I do not have a green thumb. I thought the tag it with the zone specifics said it would get to be about 3 feet tall and wide. It is maybe 2 feet at best. Thanks again for your information.
@@CTSCAPER I very much appreciate what you showed in this video but am curious. I’d like the best of both worlds, deep growth into the shrub and a nice tight clean look. Could I go back a month or more later and sheer it smoother? Or would that just defeat the purpose of the first prune?
I get fustrated at work a lot because I like to take my time and do a good job and do selective pruning as much as possible but my boss just wants us to go really fast and use the stihl hedge trimmer to prune everything. He always like the results after I do selective prunning but thinks its not fast enough I'm sure a lot of landscapers feel the same way when they work for a company like that
I know very few landscapers who go with selective pruning because it does take more time. I've gone to a hybrid selective pruning where I hit the shrub with the hedge trimmer than go back and thin it out with hand pruners. I wish people wanted to cover my time for selective pruning, and a few of my clients do, but I can't charge what a hedge clipper guy charges and prune selectively.
you need to trim it a lot less on the outside and like he said they grow really big and those are the bushes that a lot of Hollywood movies make shapes out of like Edward Scissorhands they’re very cool bushes if you take care of them!!
your boxwood should be fine. frost damage is prob what caused your boxwood to be damaged. cut the brown branches out back to the main stem and that will help to promote new growth in the area that was brown.
too confusing--showing all the steps once the first branch is in your hand John--get the camera into the shrub...... and you repeat yourself endlessly...I'm sorry you need a good editor!
Um.... maybe a tiny bit of editing wouldnt hurt, but I think its pretty close to perfect for an easy but thorough learning video. I walk away with a real feel for what he's doing and why. Maybe his style of teaching is different than your style of learning... and theres nothing wrong with either! :-)
Huh....I knew a girl once that was always looking for a nice, thick crotch..... I'm sorry I couldn't help myself. Jokes aside this video is much better than some of the others I've seen, which don't say much besides "You can use hand shears, electric trimmers or large shears to trim your boxwoods". You don't say?
i never dreamed, this was the way, to trim boxwood's.Your video, is
very detailed, especially, for a first time boxwood trimmer,like me.I was, going to be, one of, the electric shearing trimmers,so glad I looked for the correct way before,i tackled trimming. Thanks for being a excellent teacher.
Could you please put out more rejuvenation/renewal pruning videos? I have taken back my yard with selective pruning and tell everyone that will listen. (Camellia, rhododendron, azalea, forsythia, etc.) These are my favorite videos on RUclips!
One of the best videos I have watched. I will do a better job with my boxwood trimming.
Thank you for being awesome and so informative. You've helped me not be afraid of my landscaping and also helped me not to kill everything. So appreciate it.
Excellent video on boxwoods. The best I have watched so far. Thanks very much.
Excellent video. You've given me confidence to go put what I learned to work today. Thanks!
Thanks so much for your advice. I have 6 small free-standing boxwoods that have never been pruned in the 4 years that they've been in my lawn. I've been reluctant/afraid to tackle them. Now I'm looking forward to helping them with some pruning!
your videos are the most informative videos that I have watched, I have worked for myself in gardening maintenance for 11 years, and been in the field for 16 years. I am certified with Ohio Nursery & Landscaping , but no degree. all of my experience & knowledge comes from research and hands on. I always enjoy hearing others opinions on how to's and why in the gardening world. Thank You for the videos !!!!!!
Thank You
What a great video - thanks for the informative guidance!
Thank you!
Really appreciate the time you took to create this video! This is what I call landscaping. I look foward to more videos!
Like the phrase 'layered growth'. Great way to explain it.
Very nicely done. Very very informative. I am new to maintaining my hedge and this is what i was looking for. I am watching all your videos now.
Thank you so much for the help and expertise! Our box woods now fit our our more rustic/natural woodland setting. And the side opposite the sun are filling back in.
This was great and seems to me a much better way to handle these plants. I’ll get started on mine tomorrow 👍🙂
Great video. Good explanation, and thank you for the examples!
Thank you for your quick reply. I appreciate it.
Thank you for an excellent video. I live in Asheville NC. I have four Boxwoods that are over 10 feet tall and have been gowning 40 years. I have others in the front of the house that vary between 4 and 6 feet. Just noticed that the rear of a number of Boxwoods growing in front of the house are bare on the backside. I'm worried because we have had a really good rainy summer and worry about fungus. My husband said it was because they were not getting enough sun and we had some limbs removed from a Maple growing near by. It looks like I will have to go into the bush to prune since some are so tall. A big Boxwood in the front of the house has golden yellow leaves on the top of the bush over a wide part of the top. Worried most about this one has it has been healthy. Winter was extremely cold with below 0 temps a few time.
I really like how your videos are so detailed. I am a hands on person so learning something new by watching a video can be difficult for me. Also, you always give it a personal touch. Some folks are very dry and boring when it comes these things. Thank you so much and keep up the good teaching.
Excellent video to demonstrate the technique.
Very good video, good info. and well produced. Thanks
You probably won't see this in time. I was wondering about pruning off some of the dense nodes. I moved about 12 large shrubs from around the house into a line along the driveway. Just too big for the flower gardens. The main branches grow out and branch off heavily at a single node at the edge of the plant. I've decided to cut those bundles off as much as possible so I'll get more individual branches from deep areas on other branches. Am I thinking right? Pretty sure it's from the previous owners trying to prune back as far as they can with hedge sheers and stopping at that point because they hit the hardwood-causing these bundles. Lastly, you were saying that you clear out the middle. After you clear out the middle and then let light in aren't we then encouraging leaf growth inside the plant where you wanted the air space? Thanks!
Hi! Thank you for the video! I am wanting to grow my boxwood taller, how should I prune them? Thanks!
I had read this way of pruning some years ago and it made sense, but I doubt that no leaf would be cut in half in this fashion.
I trimmed a Boxwood that was about 20ft down to 5ft my customer said it looked much better but it looked pretty terrible to me bunch of dead spots seemed impossible to get it perfectly square she was happy with it and paid more than I charged but I wasn't happy with it
Excellent explanation. I'm off to prune!
A picture of what the boxwood looked like after a few weeks or months would have been good. The thinning made it look worse in some ways although I know that's only temporary.
I like the thin look on boxwood but in the end it comes down to personal preference.
Indeed. Do you have a video on trying to get one of these evergreens under control after it hasn't been pruned/sheared for years (if ever)? I saw the video on the privet but that's not an evergreen. I'd guess the same things shown in this video and the companion one apply but it may take longer to fill the plant back in or wrestle it back under control.
hell of a video! great info! great video!
Never thought of snakes. Guess I will hire someone to prune mine.
Hahaha! Same response here. Noooope. Thought I was watching this to get prepared to do this myself. Mentioned snakes... Ok... forget it. Can't even!
Same here. I’m good.
Presumably one carries out pruning of dead, diseased, decaying and grossing first? (I've never learned pruning properly) You are far more relaxed about snakes than I would be if they were commonly found here.
Thank you so much for this video. This is my first spring in our new home and it seems that the previous home owner did not do much in the way of pruning so we have boxwoods that I will trying this technique on for sure. Would you have advice on pruning and caring for Arborvitae hedges? We have a row of about 20 of them that are there for privacy and some seem to have browned over the winter. Thank again, much appreciated!
do you have a video of creating a spiral topiary with a boxwood?
Is it OK to do it during the winter when it's dormant? I would have thought so, but I've read elsewhere that you shouldn't do it until there isn't a threat of frost.
You don't want to prune in mid to late Fall and encourage new growth that can be hit by frost. Once the cold weather is here for good you are ok to prune boxwood and Japanese holly.
@@CTSCAPER Thanks. I ask because in my area in the UK the local Boxwood's are increasingly losing their leaves on the top 1 inch of surface over winter which is still a bit of a mystery for me, despite some claiming it's a consequence of blight and bad circulation. This is possible, but I've also noticed that the leaves sometimes freeze which I'm guessing can also lead to leaf drop. But come spring, the leaves always return so the damage isn't long term.
@@BarriosGroupie Wait, we're in the UK? If the boxwood is in a very open, and windy area, they can get windburn.
If somebody took a hedge clipper to a boxwood a month or two before frost the tender growth would die back like that as well. Like you say it is a temporary injury.
Have you experienced boxwood blight over there? We're starting to lose some to that over here.
I really enjoyed it. I'm a fan.
I've been trimming my boxwoods with hedge clippers for many years and the inside the plant are many tiny dead branches. They've been trimmed heavily to a formal round shape and all the foliage is only on the outside 4 inches or so. I'm feeling overwhelmed on where to start correcting this problem since there is so little foliage to work with.
Please help!
I am trying to transplant two huge boxwoods that I received for free from a neighbor who was redoing his landscaping. The foliage is just as you explain when someone only clips the ends...dead looking until you get to the tips (which are green). First question is: Should I plant them and then prune them or prune them and then plant? Or does it matter? Also, I'm not crazy about having no new growth for two to three years, but I think all the dead stuff needs to be pruned to promote growth, so is there some happy medium? Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. Your videos are so helpful!
Finally! This is so helpful.
I love this approach, thanks for sharing it. We bought a house and it has a dozen or so small boxwoods scattered in the flower bed out front - they don't grow very large, and I'm wondering if this approach will help them fill out a bit. They're consistently about 2 feet in diameter (I've lived here two years), and wonder if this approach might help them. Thoughts?
there are different species that have different growth characteristics
You helped me out! Thanks
Yay, you're a friend to snakes! Thumbs up!
Any tips on how to prune Berberis thunbergii 'Kobold' Barberry for shape and size and the time of year to prune? I see opinions all over the place from deep/selective pruning to shearing to both. Thanks!
It's a popular cultivar here in NYS because it's hardy and thorny so the dear don't bother it. It's also a slow grower. The first year or two is not a problem, but after that branches have a tendency to what I call "bouquet" meaning that bunches of the shrub grow unevenly making it difficult to address with pruners. This is in contrast to a rosey glow where individual shoots get a little independent and grow out and bend over. I will try a combination approach and see how it goes. If I remember, in Spring, I will report back on how the shrub responded. Thanks for responding.
that is so well explained, thanks!
It is a pity that I do not understand you- but I can guess. --I also a big fan of boxwood !!! - Good luck to you and greetings from Ukraine!
HI John - nice videos. I have a kind short hedge going up my front stairs thats a combo of Japanese holly and boxwood. All the growth is on the outside. Can I cut it down really low (I know it will be ugly for a while)? It will just be sticks but I want it to look more natural like the boxwoods you are pruning in this video.
You can do that but it's going to take 2-3 years to look 'respectable' again. I have to caution you that there have been times when I've pruned shrubs low and they didn't come back. If you're tired of the overgrown look and want to try cutting them back hard before talking the time and effort to replace them you can go for it.
Thanks-very helpful video!
Good tip of advice but the end result isn't what you'd expect a neat boxwood sphere to look like. A bit dishevelled, as if neglected for years...
what brand hand clippers are you using or recommend
im making a boxwood bonsai and im wondering if its okay for me to root prune half of its roots..its like cylinder shaped and about 4-5 inches in length of the cylinder shape, and I don't want to kill it but I want to make small to fit in a little pot for bonsai
How did it go?
Same here. I have three boxwood prebonsai. But I haven't pruned the roots just yet. I figured too slip pot these bonsai until I see growth first.
hello, just want to say "love your show". You explain things very clear and in detail as well. Quick question, I have some very old privet hedge which have not been selectively pruned for years, and become very leggy. I like to give it a try this year, but when is good time to pruning it? It is May 1 at zone 6A in Mass, still there are small buds on my privet hedge. Thank you so much!
Thank you!
Miss hearing from you. Chi-Chi,----How is the great family and your beautiful yard?
You are awesome! Thank you very much for the information. My shrubs are only 1 year old, does this information pertain to them?
What's your recommended safe treatment for boxwood leaf minor?
Hi I'm really into gardening and I recently started working at a garden center. I want to further my knowledge on plants and gardening and things like fertilizingn pruning, knowing plant pests and how to treat the plants when they get sick. I want to be an overall master gardener and plant person. Do you know what college or university will teach and train me hands on to become a master at my craft?
In CT the only options are UConn or Naugatuck Valley communicty college. CT also has a master gardener program that teaches courses that will help you. The CT Nursery and Landscape Association also has a course for people new to garden centers and the industry teaching the basics.
I have a big boxwood that is so out of shape. How do I prune it and make t into a gumball?
Thank you for your video. I appreciate the time you took to inform us who don't know. I have been pruning my boxwood with hedge clippers for a couple of years. If I try your selsctive pruning method, which I prefer from your results, will my boxwood be okay? They are only 1-2 feet high and very dense. I'm afraid they won't look good or won't regrow. When would be the best time to prune?
***** Can you prune late fall?
Very informative! Do you have videos/advice for rejuvenation for pruning overgrown and neglected Mugo Pines? Thank you!
I loved the explanation on why to prune selectively. Thank you! Is this the same technique to use on a privet hedge?
what State was this video made?
The thinner they are when they’re young the better they grow into good size
What kind of boxwood are these?
Edward Scissorhands😂😂😂
Can I do this to make my boxwood bigger? I've had them in the ground for about 4 years and they are still very small.
***** Thank You! I don't remember what I purchased. I do not have a green thumb. I thought the tag it with the zone specifics said it would get to be about 3 feet tall and wide. It is maybe 2 feet at best. Thanks again for your information.
What about hybrid pruning ?
Amazing tips, thank u!
Thank you!
Thank you for helping me avoid green balls of boxwood across the front beds
You're welcome. Green balls are cool as long as they're loose green balls
@@CTSCAPER I very much appreciate what you showed in this video but am curious. I’d like the best of both worlds, deep growth into the shrub and a nice tight clean look. Could I go back a month or more later and sheer it smoother? Or would that just defeat the purpose of the first prune?
I get fustrated at work a lot because I like to take my time and do a good job and do selective pruning as much as possible but my boss just wants us to go really fast and use the stihl hedge trimmer to prune everything. He always like the results after I do selective prunning but thinks its not fast enough I'm sure a lot of landscapers feel the same way when they work for a company like that
I know very few landscapers who go with selective pruning because it does take more time. I've gone to a hybrid selective pruning where I hit the shrub with the hedge trimmer than go back and thin it out with hand pruners. I wish people wanted to cover my time for selective pruning, and a few of my clients do, but I can't charge what a hedge clipper guy charges and prune selectively.
you need to trim it a lot less on the outside and like he said they grow really big and those are the bushes that a lot of Hollywood movies make shapes out of like Edward Scissorhands they’re very cool bushes if you take care of them!!
there not boxwoods in Hollywood movies they are usually yews
Thanks for the boxwood tips. My boxwood is half brown from the long winter. Do you think it could be saved?
your boxwood should be fine. frost damage is prob what caused your boxwood to be damaged. cut the brown branches out back to the main stem and that will help to promote new growth in the area that was brown.
6:49 Placement advertisement
why my boxwood is turning yellow from the inside?
azzam ejjeh nem
Chase them away ? If it has a rattle and in Texas, We eat them.
Hola
This is how I am going to cut my Boxwoods back. They have never been clipped over many years and are encroaching on a walking path. Thank you!
too confusing--showing all the steps once the first branch is in your hand John--get the camera into the shrub......
and you repeat yourself endlessly...I'm sorry you need a good editor!
I do my best and that's all I can do.
Um.... maybe a tiny bit of editing wouldnt hurt, but I think its pretty close to perfect for an easy but thorough learning video. I walk away with a real feel for what he's doing and why. Maybe his style of teaching is different than your style of learning... and theres nothing wrong with either! :-)
Huh....I knew a girl once that was always looking for a nice, thick crotch.....
I'm sorry I couldn't help myself. Jokes aside this video is much better than some of the others I've seen, which don't say much besides "You can use hand shears, electric trimmers or large shears to trim your boxwoods". You don't say?