Really! And to be honest, this is not my gardening mantra, BUT, I have no choice. Ideally, I love an instant, mature garden…a garden that magically looks like the image I have in my mind. That pristine image has been horribly altered by the unusual weather over the past winter, which wreaked havoc on the boxwood (at least, that’s what I think the problem is). It’s disheartening, but I’m not giving up. I’ll stay calm and carry on…
Most of my boxwood hedges are looking ghastly. Every day, I see another part of the hedge that must be replaced. I’ve already gone through once and cut the dry yellow tops off, added a layer of manure, and watered. I was away the past weekend, and my heart just sank when I did my walkabout on Sunday evening. There was more visible damage than I had initially thought.
Like every year, all the boxwood hedges were covered with burlap for winter protection. What is a mystery is why so many were damaged while others were spared entirely, often just a few feet apart. Is it drought, winter burn (from wind or reflection from the snow), or extreme temperature swings? The areas facing south and west suffered the most.
I have the time and desire to replace the dead and/or damaged boxwood. However, the cost will be substantial. Spending the gardening budget on new varieties of shrubs and perennials would be so much more fun. It’s like replacing a dryer when you would rather be shopping for a new sofa.
This is how the boxwood looked last spring (photos left and below). The boxwood hedges around the raised beds in the back garden were planted over twenty years ago. Occasionally, a few boxwoods may have to be replaced, but nothing significant. The front parterre was planted in 2016; again, very few have been replaced over the years.
Once established, boxwood is very hardy, drought-tolerant, and resilient. I plan to set up a protected area in the garden for any boxwood that may be salvaged. Once I’ve dug them up, I will cut out the damaged branches and leaves and replant them in the “recovery ward” of the Boxwood Hospital.
I hope your gardens survived the winter much better than mine and that everything is getting green and lush.
Happy Mother’s Day!
xox Judy❤️
Oh Judy. Hopefully some trimming and watering will save some of them, and they will fill in. I like the idea of the “recovery ward.” My Bergenia plants did not weather the winter well at all, and there are a ton of dead leaves. I’m finding that the grass is also slow at coming back, despite power raking, aerating, and fertilizing. I’m going to try and focus on the new perennials I bought, the pots I am excited to plant, and hope for the best.
Hi Karen, It sounds like you are “keeping calm and carrying on” too! I have heard from other people that their bergenia was struggling as well. I don’t have any bergenia in my garden yet, however, I have ordered some white ones and hopefully will be planting them up soon. Have fun with your container planting…I’m sure it will be beautiful. xox Judy❤️
I’m so sorry to hear about all your boxwood hedges Judy but what a great idea, and a super cute one, to create the “recovery ward” at Boxwood Hospital. I’m beginning to realize that my lavender as well as several of the perennials I planted last summer didn’t survive the winter. It’s so frustrating because for the last 4 years my lavender has come back stronger and better each year…until now. I hope your “patients” all make a speedy and complete recovery and I hope you have a very Happy Mother’s Day! Hugs, Karen xo🥰
Hi Karen, I’m sorry to hear that you have lost some of your favourite perennials. I’ve been so obsessed about the boxwood that I haven’t paid too much attention to the rest of the garden but as I am looking out at the garden, it looks like I may have lost some of my lavender too. Grrrrr xox Judy❤️ Hope your boys spoil you all weekend long!
Unfortunately I do not have a garden, but my balcony plants survived for luck.
Hi Keep Calm, Lucky you to have a balcony garden with happy plants. Container gardening requires more attention and more water especially during the hot spells we’ve experienced this summer. xox Judy❤️