Box Buxus

choccyface2006

I have two lovely box buxus plants that I bought a year ago. They were a nice neat ball shape when I bought them but there is lots of new paler growth on them now, I would like to trim them, when is best to do this and is there any particular way to do it, how much should I be taking off?

I also noticed last year and this year that they have got a whitish fluff on them, what is this? Is it normal or a pest?

Thanks

Sarah x

susieb

Buxus likes being cut, do it little and often.
I dont know what the fluff is, will it disappear as you cut it

System

and would you believe it. I thought they had to be clipped once and once only each year and that there was a correct time of year to do it. I have about eight, and have clipped throughout the year, had the white stuff and it went, let them dry out, they;re in posts, and they look great. One is a large ball shape possibly 2ft across. when I see them in garden centres I marvel at the price mine might be.

phoilmc

The whitish fluff you mention might be a Psyllid infestation, as shown by cupping of the terminal leaves and white waxy deposits with little green blighters all over it. If your leaves are curling up, that would suggest this is the problem but you don't mention that. You can get rid of them quite painlessly by spraying them with a mild solution of soapy water (e.g. Fairy Liquid). I posted on this forum and that was the answer I got, and it worked! You may have to do it more than once to completely clear it, though. They suck the sap from your defenceless Buxus, so would be best to get rid of them.

Perfectspace

Islandman

Buxus sempervirens is very happy only being clipped once a year (or more, as has been suggested), and, traditionally, the date I usually tell people to remember is Derby Day (early June - just gone).

Don't forget to feed, especially if they are in pots.

Perfectspace

System

Now I have a little more time, let me tell you a little story (are you sitting comfortably?)
About 20 yrs ago, maybe more. I saw a notice in the local paper where someone was opening their gardens to the public and you could go along and dig up anything you wanted, as they were selling up and moving on. Proceeds were going to charity. The house incidently was a huge mansion type place.
My wife and I, along with our two children went along, armed with garden forks/spades. We made two visits during that day. I dug up two prunus amanagower, about eight box bushes, mostly small but the good round specimen, a weigelia, and a few other odds and ends. After two house moves ourselves since, I've only retained the box bushes and seemingly they've proved to be the most valuable.