The evergreen boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is one of the most popular trees in the garden. No wonder, as the plant, which grows up to five meters high, is considered easy to care for and extremely easy to cut.
Which soil is best suited for boxwood?
The ideal soil for boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) should be humus-rich, nutrient-rich, permeable, loose and slightly calcareous. Sandy soils can be enriched with compost and heavy soils can be loosened with sand and compost. The pH value should be between 7 and 8.
Boxwood thrives best in humus-rich soil
Box feels most comfortable on garden soils that have the following properties:
- rich in humus, rich in nutrients
- permeable, loose, well drained if necessary
- loamy to sandy
- calcareous
- pH value between 7 and 8
Very sandy soils should be improved with plenty of compost, while heavy soils should be loosened with sand and compost and thoroughly dug up. In addition, if the soil quality is heavy, you should ensure sufficient drainage to avoid waterlogging. Although boxwood requires a lot of water, it – like so many other plants – cannot tolerate “wet feet” in the long term. Specimens cultivated in tubs and pots thrive in a mixture of sand, compost and commercial green plant soil orspecial boxwood soil (€21.00 at Amazon).
Tip
In order to keep the pH value of the soil in the green range for the boxwood, you should lime it from time to time.
