What to Do With Overgrown Boxwood? 8 Ideas

11.09.2024 - 11:19 / balconygardenweb.com / Ralph Astley

Boxwood shrubs are simply the best for garden borders, hedges, and fences. Evergreen, adaptable, and lending solid design and symmetry—what could go wrong? With time and neglect, these plants can grow too huge for you to handle! So, what do you do with overgrown boxwood? Relax, we’ve got you!

The age-old boxwood (Buxus) is a shrub or small tree that has been around forover 6000 years. Originating in Europe and Asia, it is a slow-growing, evergreen, low-maintenance plant with dense growth ideal for hedging and topiaries.

Hardy to USDA zones 5-9, the real challenge with this plant isn’t getting it to grow—it’s keeping it in check! Its vigorous growth can quickly scale up to 20 feet and spread shaggily if unmanaged.

 So, if your boxwood grows too big for its space or if the branches look leggy and too dense on the inside, it’s time for a nip and tuck! Another indication to trim is when it starts losing its perfect symmetrical form, and you find dead or brown leaves inside due to poor airflow!

As soon as you see your shrub losing shape, it’s time to bring out your shears and snip it back into form. Pruning is easy, but taking away major chunks of the plant can shock it. Do it gradually to keep it in check over a few seasons.

Remember to prune right before the growing season starts, preferably in late winter if you’re in a warm climate or early or mid spring. This allows your boxwood to heal and reduces stress.

Similar to the idea above but with an artistic twist! Instead of simply pruning overgrown boxwoods, try sculpting them into a design of your choice. They can also be trained as bonsai plants.

Keep them compact by regularly shaping them in pots and containers.

If that one boxwood hedge is turning out to be a nightmare, simply