boxwoods in container
WendyB 5A/MA
11 months ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (13)
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 months agolast modified: 11 months agoKW PNW Z8
11 months agoRelated Discussions
Good garden soil makes poor soil for roses in containers?
Comments (42)The reason you can't trust the volume of nursery pots, Jim, is that those black nursery containers are all "nominal" sizes. That means the volume of the pots is vaguely related to the stated gallon size. A "5 galllon" nursery can is 10.5 in. diameter and 12 in. tall. My online calculator says that is only 3.75 gallons if you pot 2 inches from the top of the pot. That isn't large enough for any rose past the first year or so if it puts on vigorous growth. The foot stomping is an old landscaper practice. It's just a cheap way of determining settlement without taking the time to water a plant in. I wouldn't do it. Water your plant in to settle the soil. I've seen people planting roses into dry potting soil. I wouldn't do it. Many potting soils have peat moss which sheds water once dry. Those of you in climates with steady rain year round may not have this problem, but in the desert West, once peat dries out, it takes a concerted effort to dampen it. I open the bag of soil, stick the hose in, fill it up and mix. Then I pot with dripping wet potting soil and also water it in. It's mud pies for grownups. It assures that the soil comes to the optimal height in the pot (about 2 inches down) and fills major air pockets. I unpot roses all the time and have never found an air pocket. I don't drop pots on purpose. Our summers are too hot to grow a lot of roses in pots well. We can't keep the roots cool enough through June and July. I overpot extensively. A 3 x 3 rose goes in an ornamental pot that is 22-24 inches high. I use various decorative pots from the big box store and always buy the biggest size. Why? They bring to rose up to height and look more in scale with a landscape. It's funny how a pot looks big in a store and miniature in the garden. Also, with those big pots I'm approaching the 15 gallon actual size I find any healthy rose needs. I do a seat of the pants volume-of-cone calculation to guesstimate the volume of the pot, taking into consideration the potting soil is probably 3 inches from the top of the container. Here's a nice online volumetric calculator. http://www.online-calculators.co.uk/volumetric/conevolume.php...See MoreOverwintering 1st boxwood in containers
Comments (1)I am move mine into one of our outbuildings that gets some sunlight through a window. I go out and water them once a month or so. I have had mine for about 5 years now and this has been successful....See MoreBoxwoods in a Container - No Good?
Comments (9)Realizing this is a 5 year old thread and so the info is probably not much use to the OP now but could be helpful to other readers, let me offer this: you can grow anything in a container provided you keep certain container gardening principles in mind. You must provide good drainage, both with the container and with the potting media. Potting media/soil does not last forever and will need to be replaced or refreshed periodically every few years. When you do repot, you will need to root prune at the same time. This will keep the plant healthy, compact and dense and not get leggy or outgrow its container. It will need fertilizing on a routine basis, at least monthly during the primary growing season. You will need to pay close attention to any watering needs, especially during our dry PNW summers. Finally, containerized boxwoods can live outdoors all year long in Oregon without concerns of freezing. Box are very tough and hardy plants and can handle it, as can many other potted trees and shrubs. May be different in other, colder parts of the country :-)...See MoreBoxwood - loss of leaf color and some curling. Should I be worried?
Comments (26)Wow!! What an immense amount of arrogance!! This is why self-proclaimed 'experts' are usually to be avoided or at the very least, their info approached with a large degree of caution. You are so wrapped up in you own self importance to completely ignore what I might have posted. If you care (or even bother) to read more carefully, I did acknowledge the presence of psyllids in my very first post. I am also a practicing consulting horticulturists - not at all an "Internet only" person - and I am actively engaged on a daily basis diagnosing plant issues. I do this for a living!! I am very familiar with boxwood - apparently much more so than you as the self proclaimed expert are - and have encountered all manner of boxwood issues. If.....and I mean if.....leafminers are present, they are not present in any large numbers or the damage would be far more obvious.....as it is with the mites. "You started arguing without possessing much love and experience with boxwood. That`s your big issue. Be careful on such discussion because you can meet real professional . I am not going to teach you for free here and maintain this discussion." Again, wow!! You have no idea what experience or knowledge I might have with this plant or just how much of a professional I might be. I have openly shared my background and experience whereas you just claim yours with nothing to substantiate. And what is the title of this book you supposedly authored?? Perhaps it is the type of scientific research and detailed plant morphology that we could all benefit from. Or maybe it is just another unsubstantiated bold Internet claim...... btw, I have already been taught by a lot of very skilled academic minds. That's what a college degree will do for you :-) I certainly don't require your half-a**ed instructions!!...See Moregardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 months agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 months agoKW PNW Z8
11 months agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 months agoWendyB 5A/MA
11 months agoNancy R z5 Chicagoland
11 months agoS M
4 months agolast modified: 4 months ago41 North (Zone 7a/b, NE, coastal)
4 months agokitasei2
4 months agoWendyB 5A/MA
4 months ago
Related Stories
LANDSCAPE DESIGNSimple Container Plantings for Intriguing Garden Design
Beyond mere decoration, thoughtfully chosen pared-down pots and plants can be integral to interest in the garden
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 All-Foliage Container Ideas for Your Summer Garden
These long-lasting plants are easy to care for and add lushness and consistency to patio gardens
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESTop Cold-Hardy Evergreens for Container Gardens
These tough beauties look good year-round and add consistency to container arrangements
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Boxwood
This elegant evergreen can shape shift into forms limited only by a gardener's imagination and a clipper's reach
Full StoryHOLIDAYSLast-Minute Ideas for Attractive Winter Container Designs
Create a welcoming holiday entryway with ideas from these 9 looks
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Container Gardens That Mix Edible and Ornamental Plants
Fruits, flowers, herbs and vegetables come together in potted combinations that are as pretty as they are productive
Full StoryFALL GARDENING12 Easy-Care All-Foliage Container Gardens for Fall
Bold colors, rich textures and dynamic plant combinations embrace fall and transition into winter
Full StoryPLANTING IDEASStretch the Budget, Seasons and Style: Add Conifers to Your Containers
Small, low-maintenance conifers are a boon for mixed containers — and you can transplant them to your garden when they’ve outgrown the pot
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNBoxwood Alternatives Bring the Chelsea Flower Show to You
Don’t let box blight limit your plans to borrow garden design ideas from the renowned British event
Full StoryMOST POPULAR12 Stunning Spring Container Gardens
Welcome the season with fragrant hyacinths, cheerful daffodils, potted pansies and sweet early strawberries
Full Story
KW PNW Z8