planting
The care of the small and shallow root system begins with the planting. Most gardeners purchase their plants from a garden center or nursery that has developed roots. When you plant them in your garden, do so in a planting hole that is just as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide. Put the plant in and fill the hole so that only a thin layer of soil covers the roots. If you plant deeper, the roots will not get enough light, air and water. The root depth of a box tree is very shallow.
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to water
Proper watering can mean the difference between a healthy plant and a shrub that is dying. Water deep enough to soak the soil at least 8 to 10 inches deep. When the water is at this deep level, the roots will also extend down and so grow better in the soil. With superficial irrigation, on the other hand, the roots also remain close to the surface and cannot establish themselves on the site. This can damage the roots, potentially killing the entire plant.
Mulching
Since the roots of the plant do not penetrate very deeply into the ground, the boxwood is prone to adverse weather conditions such as excessive heating or drying out on hot summer days. To protect the roots from rapid temperature fluctuations and moisture loss and to combat weeds, spread a layer of organic mulch such as bark mulch, pine needles or wood chips around the base of the plant about five to seven centimeters thick. The mulch layer should not be thicker either, otherwise the water cannot penetrate deep enough into the soil. Remove the mulch (€ 99.99 on Amazon *) every spring and replace it.
Floor care
Do not work with a hoe or other sharp object in the soil around the box bushes. Because the roots run flat below the surface, they can be easily damaged by shovels, hoes, spades, aerators, and other gardening tools. Instead of digging for weeds, pull them out by hand and cover the area with mulch. Any damage to the roots will result in infection and possibly death of the entire shrub.
Tips
If you want to transplant a box, don't just dig it up and put it back in its new location. Instead, you should cut the roots a few months in advance so that the root ball grows more compact and closer to the trunk. The root loss is significantly lower during the subsequent transfer.
