Green Mountain Boxwood ( 2-Tier Topiary)

-We suggest to dig a hole twice as wide as the root system but not deeper. Depending on the quality of your existing soil, you may need to add a locally-sourced compost or topsoil to the back-fill soil.

-We do not recommend using straight topsoil or compost as a back-fill soil because these products will retain entirely to much moisture and will cause the root system to rot.

-Adding compost or topsoil will help the young feeder roots of Green Mountain Boxwood spread through the loose, nutrient-rich soil much easier than if you used solely the existing soil, which more times than not will be hard and compacted.

-The most common cause of plant death after transplanting is planting the new plant too deep. That is why we do not recommend planting in a hole any deeper than the soil line of the plant in the pot. A good rule is that you should still be able to see the soil the plant was grown in after back-filling the hole.

-Bio-tone starter fertilizer is a great starter fertilizer that provides plants with mycorrhizae fungus. It is a naturally-occurring, beneficial fungus that colonizes on the new growing roots of plants. It creates a barrier between the roots of the plant and fungus and pathogens that can cause root rot. We love this product and use it on all plants we install in our own gardens. Bio-tone is a gardener's best friend and can help guarantee your success.

How do I water Green Mountain Boxwood ?

After back filling and lightly compacting the 50/50 mix of existing soil and compost give the Green Mountain Boxwood a good, deep watering. This is not to be rushed. Most of the water you put on the plant at first will run away from the plant until the soil is soaked. A general rule of thumb is to count to 5 for every one gallon of pot size. For example, a one gallon pot would be watered until you count to 5; a three gallon pot would be 15; and so on. Gator bag Jr. can be used to help aid in this process and also provide plants with a good soaking due to the slow release of the water into the root-zone of the plant. Soaker Hoses can also be used to water when planting a long hedge.

How do I mulch my Green Mountain Boxwood 2-Tier Topiary?

We highly recommend that you mulch your Green Mountain Boxwood with a ground Hardwood Mulch. Any type of mulch will do, Hardwood Mulch will be of a higher quality and provide better nutrition overall as they breakdown.

Mulching helps to keep weeds away that will compete with your new investment for water and nutrients. A 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch is sufficient, but remember to take care not to cover any part of the stem of the plant with mulch. It's better to leave a one-inch gap of space between the mulch and the stem or trunk of the plant.

How do I fertilize Green Mountain Boxwood 2-Tier Topiary?

This plant grows best if they are fertilized once in the spring and again in early summer. Green Mountain Boxwood favors nutrient rich soil and ample fertilization. Green Mountain Boxwood bushes benefit from an fertilizer which can help raise the acid level of the soil such as Holly-Tone by Espoma. When selecting a fertilizer, if soil Ph is not an issue a simple balanced fertilizer can be used such as Tree-tone. Be careful with products such as miracle-grow as these products can burn newly planted plants when not used at the recommended rates. Slow-release fertilizer can help prevent rapid sucker growth that is vulnerable to diseases and insects.

How do I prune my Green Mountain Boxwood 2-Tier Topiary?

When using boxwood Green Mountain Boxwood as topiary or bonsai, pruning may be done several times a year as needed, although late summer or fall would stimulate new growth that would be susceptible to winter injury.

Do not hard prune any area where you want to achieve leaf growth, as they may not respond for a few years. Just leave stubs or stripped branches until buds have formed where you want them and have made several sets of leaves. Buds that are unwanted can be rubbed off.

Watering well and misting the wood frequently can help Green Mountain bud more quickly. 

Renewal or rejuvenation pruning of shrubs usually involves severe pruning. However, Green Mountain Boxwoods often do not respond well to this, it should be done in late winter or early spring, over a period of several years.

Some experts say you should remove a third of the large branches each year over three years. Branches would be cut on one side of the plant the first year, followed by the other half the second year. Follow any hard pruning and shaping of boxwoods with a dose of fertilizer and a light layer of mulch. To maintain desired size and shape, this time prune after boxwood's have completed their main spring growth.