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Boxwood belongs to the genus of evergreen trees and shrubs. Planting and caring for boxwood in the Moscow region are available to any gardener who will be patient when 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 Our Country
A beautiful evergreen shrub has won fame and love of gardeners of 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 the garden and in the country with minimal care.
Evergreen boxwood has become popular in recent years in the Moscow region and the middle zone with a temperate climate. Growing unpretentious shrubs in the Moscow region does not require special conditions.
Properly selected varieties and arrangement 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 types of evergreens live up to 600 years. Such centenarians 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 (Kalkhid) boxwood
Caucasian (Kalkhid) boxwood is the most frost-resistant of the representatives of these evergreens. In the wild, it grows in the Mediterranean and the Caucasus. For cultivation in the Moscow region recommended varieties:
- Blauer Heinz (Blauer Heinz) – 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, small. Boxwood of this variety tolerates long frosts better than others.
- Elegance – grows no more than a meter. The foliage of the culture is light green bordered. Usually has a spherical crown.
- Suffruticosis (Suffruticosa) dense crown of a low (up to 1 m) shrub responds well to shearing. The light green crown is covered with small melliferous flowers in spring.
Boxwood Small-leaved
Small-leaved boxwood tolerates winter frosts worse. 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 rapid growth, which is rare for shrubs and trees of this species. This is the most frost-resistant variety that, without shelter, can survive at temperatures down to -30 degrees. But in the Moscow region it is desirable to cover the boxwood of this variety.
- Faulkner small-leaved refers to slow-growing evergreen shrubs. The maximum culture can reach one and a half meters. The bush is compact. The natural shape of its crown allows the creation of spherical figures. It tolerates frosts of the Moscow region well.
Balearic boxwood
The Balearic type of boxwood with large foliage is characterized by rapid growth and special decorative effect. A native of the Balearic Islands, in central Our Country and the Moscow region, it can only be grown as a tub culture. The plant does not tolerate winter frosts.
evergreen boxwood
Do not plant in open ground and evergreen boxwood. 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 abandon the choice of an evergreen type of shrub.
Planting and caring for boxwood in the Moscow region
For growing boxwood in the Moscow region, you should choose the correct illumination of the site for planting. The foliage of the shrub does not tolerate bright light and heat. Therefore, it is recommended to plant boxwood in partial shade.
Dislikes bushes and drafts. When planting, it is better to choose a place near the wall of the house or near a large tree. In this case, the distance to the wall should be at least a meter for the normal formation and development of the root system.
Terms of planting
Boxwood is planted in open ground in spring and autumn. In the Moscow region and the middle lane, planting and caring for boxwood depend on the timing of the onset of cold weather. When planted in the spring in the ground, the plant will have time to fully take root and adapt. In the autumn in the Moscow region, it is better to dig a plant in the garden and cover it in order to plant it in a permanent place in April.
Site and soil preparation
Boxwood grows well and develops on loose fertile soils. Make sure he has good drainage. Moisture-loving shrub does not tolerate excessive soil moisture. In the presence of stagnant water, the plant is more likely to be exposed to fungal diseases.
Boxwood does not develop well on acidic soils. Experts recommend adding a little lime to the planting hole. To increase moisture and air permeability, vermiculite or another drainage mixture should be added not only to the bottom, but also to the soil.
Ideally, if the soil for planting boxwood consists of 50% mature compost. The remaining half should contain fertile soil and river coarse sand.
It is necessary that the planting pit for boxwood be three times the volume of an earthen seedling. If the landing is planned to be tape, then it is advisable to prepare a common trench.
Rules for planting boxwood in the Moscow region
With an 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 are advised to keep a container with a bush in quarantine for 1 – 2 weeks.
Seedlings with a closed root system are recommended to be watered abundantly a day before planting in order to avoid injury to the root when released from the planting container. Some gardeners soak the root system in settled water for 10 to 12 hours. If an infection is suspected, it can be soaked in a fungicide solution.
Planting a seedling of an evergreen shrub in the ground should be carried out in cloudy weather or in the evening. A weak plant can be severely damaged by sunlight. If, after landing in the Moscow region, there is hot sunny weather, then it is advisable to shade the boxwood bushes.
Landing algorithm:
- Lay a drainage layer of 2-3 cm at the bottom of the pit.
- Mix the soil in half with the drainage mixture.
- Carefully release the root system.
- Set the plant in the hole and straighten the root.
- Fill the seedling with prepared moist soil, gently compacting it.
The next 2 – 3 days, the settling soil under the plant should be supplemented. To prevent water from spreading during irrigation, experienced gardeners recommend arranging a small earthen roller 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 top dressing
Watering boxwood requires plentiful and regular. In hot weather, with a lack of moisture, the leaves of the plant quickly turn yellow.
On a bush with a height of 20 – 30 cm, up to 3 liters of liquid are needed. A meter-high boxwood will need up to 10 liters of water. During the dry period, do not increase the frequency of watering. It is more important to add the volume of poured liquid 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 top dressing during the spring planting of boxwood in the ground is carried out in a month. The composition of the fertilizer should contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It does not hurt to feed the established seedlings with organic matter. You can use cow dung at a dilution of 1:10 or bird droppings at a ratio of 1:20.
Mandatory monthly fertilizing with nitrogen during the period of intensive growth of the shrub. In autumn, nitrogen is not needed as a 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 for boxwood have also been developed, which can be applied to the soil before planting and fed during the growth period.
Dutch-made Buxus Azet contains, in addition to organic components, soil bacteria and mycorrhiza. Natural organic fertilizer is ideally balanced and includes a full range of microelements for boxwood top dressing. 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 predisposition of the shrub to the formation of 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.
Shearing plantings in the Moscow region can begin in April. Only young shoots are shortened. This stimulates the branching of the shrub. Preventive pruning in order to maintain the selected shape in the Moscow region must be carried out at least once a month.
Protection against 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 able to completely destroy the plant in a short time.
If a cobweb appeared on the shoots, and small yellow-green caterpillars with dark spots of heads were found inside the bush, then the plant must be urgently saved.
Chemical and biological preparations are used to control the pest. Different composition and mode of action allow you to effectively destroy the boxwood moth at all stages of development.
- Fufanon – Danish-made organophosphate insecticide. 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 leaves of boxwood from all sides. The protection period is up to two weeks.
- Aktellik – non-systemic insecticide that affects the insect by 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 preparation of contact-intestinal action. Effective against most pests. The components that make up 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 destroy the boxwood moth, but also protect the shrub 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 southerner boxwood in the Moscow region tolerates frost quite easily in winter. The main thing is that the area on which the plant is planted is not exposed to direct sunlight. Otherwise, an early thaw in the Moscow region in spring and withering cold in winter will destroy the plant.
When choosing a place to grow boxwood, the height of the snow cover should be taken into account. 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 suburbs
Even the warmest shelter will not save the heat-loving boxwood from frost if preparatory measures are not taken.
Before covering the boxwood for the winter in the Moscow region, it is necessary to saturate the roots of the shrub with moisture. Preparation begins 1,5 – 2 weeks before the onset of cold weather. After watering, the trunk circle must be mulched to a height of up to 10 cm. At the same time, the mulch should not be allowed to touch the trunk. The indent must be left up to 2 cm in a circle.
For mulching, it is better to take peat or rotted needles. Dry leaves should not be used. 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. Polyethylene film is not suitable for plant protection in winter. The airtight material creates increased moisture when exposed to sunlight. This is dangerous for evergreen branches and can cause them to rot.
The protruding branches of the shrub should be tied up, and props should be installed for the 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 severity of the snow layer.
For tall boxwood bushes, it is advisable to arrange frame supports that will protect against breakage during snow blizzards, often raging in the Moscow region.
To shelter undersized boxwood bushes, you can use wooden boxes with holes for air to enter.
Before the onset of winter frosts and the thermometer falls below 10 degrees, do not tightly tie the covering material. With a lack of ventilation, boxwood can be subjected to damping.
The second stage of the shelter consists in throwing a 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 plants to sunlight. Shelters should be slightly opened for a while for the plants to breathe and remove excess condensate.
You can 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.
Reproduction of boxwood
The easiest and most economical way to propagate boxwood is 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 after the summer shearing of boxwood. For speedy 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 a damp cloth. This period is often about a month. All this time it is required to moisten the seeds with water. Germinated seeds should be planted upside down in light, sandy soil.
The method of propagation by seeds is a laborious task, since the seed material is characterized by tight germination. Yes, and it is very difficult to collect it with a regular haircut.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for boxwood in the Moscow region is not difficult. To create unique living garden decorations, you need high-quality planting material, the right choice of variety and a little effort.
