Wednesday, September 14, 2011

BOXWOOD



Need any inspiration as to what to plant this Fall? We are obsessed boxwoods which are a main part of any formal English garden. Here are a few interesting facts about our green friend. Boxwood was introduced to North America from Europe in the mid-1600s. The most common forms of boxwood are “American” and “English” and there are about 90 species and over 150 varieties. It is said to be nature's oldest garden ornamental and boxwood fossils have been found in Europe dating back over 21 million years old. The first planting in the U.S. occurred around 1652 at Sylvester Manor on Shelter Island, NY. The American boxwood has leaves that are very pointed and grows much faster and taller than the English boxwood, which is much more dense and has rounded leaves. The ideal time to plant boxwood is in the fall, and winter is the best time to prune.