Plant of the Week
Don’t let the name American boxwood fool you. Unfortunately, our beloved boxwoods are not native. First introduced to the U.S. from Europe in the mid-1600s, this classic evergreen has remained a favorite for centuries. It is deer resistant and thrives in the shade and sun. It does hate getting its feet wet, so no soggy soil, please! Growing anywhere from 10 inches to 20 feet tall, this sculptural shrub comes in a variety of shapes including round, skinny, squat, and columnar.
Guest
Michael Abbott of Bartlett Trees joins me to discuss boxwood blight. A highly contagious fungal disease that causes defoliation, it first made its presence known in Charlottesville and central Virginia in 2012. But wait! There’s good news: Boxwood blight is very treatable. Chemical fungicides are highly effective in saving your plant and preventing further spread. Still, prevention is our priority. Always buy your boxwoods from a responsible nursery and make sure you ask your landscapers to sanitize their tools. If you’re thinking of buying a boxwood, look out for a blight-resistant variety or cultivar.
Playlist
When pruning your boxwood, aim to promote air circulation and encourage new growth by lifting the skirt and pruning both internally and externally.
Start staking your peonies. I recommend using bamboo stakes and green twine for a more natural look.
It’s time to sow your warm-weather vegetable seeds like peppers, eggplants, cantaloupes, and tomatoes.
To Listen
“Show me a garden that’s bursting into life”—“Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol.