Hi All, Zone 7B- Recently planted about 20 little 1.5' tall wintergreen boxwood about 2' apart from center in hopes to have a little hedge (3'-4' tall) someday. However, some of these little plants have long bowing branches which I was going to give a quick snip.
Should I do any pruning this year to encourage bushiness or just let them grow for a few years and then prune to encourage bushiness? I have read articles advising both: let them grow to desired height & width and then prune as well as instructions to prune to encourage bushiness as soon as needed to prevent "leggy" looking bushes. Does it really matter? Thanks! Cassie

Answer #1 · Maple Tree's Answer · Hi Cassie-Because these plants are so young and newly planted I wouldn't do any drastic pruning this year. I would only cut back any branches that are out growing the majority of the rest of the plant. If all the branches are long and bending over they can be cut back a little. Only being 1 1/2 feet tall I would only trim off a couple of inches. Young boxwoods actually benefit from frequent pruning. The best time to start training your small headge to shape is the first few years. This pruning will encourage more branching and new growth. This branching and thicker growth is what you want instead of a few larger longer stems that may not produce as dense a hedge as you would like. Boxwoods can be pruned to help shape them any time of the year. Just make sure you don't prune in late fall as any new growth may not have time to harden off before the first frosts.

Please ask if you have any other questions.

John)