Hey Bush, It’s Over
No, not that Bush. I’m talking about this bush in our backyard.
It seems we’ve inexplicably lost one of the giant 50+ year old boxwoods that lines our driveway. And of course it had to be one smack dab in the middle of the row, so now we’ve got some creative landscaping to do come spring. Any suggestions?
We’re tempted to try to transplant the one on the end to replace it, and then do something different / lower / more colorful in the corner. That would work right into our slow-going plan to replace the previous owners’ preference for row after row of the same bush (not to mention lines of loriope/monkey-grass everywhere), so maybe we’ll take this as a blessing in disguise.
Any creative bush-replacement tips or tricks for us? Preferably something that doesn’t involve buying a new full-sized boxwood (which would cost us upwards of a hundred clams!). I know Sherry’s itching to up the curb appeal out front, so this backyard bush debacle is just another happy challenge for her. Tell us what you guys would do… we’re now welcoming all bush-replacement suggestions.
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http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/ShrubsAndHedges.htm
You can search by region to be sure that what you like will thrive in your zone. I can attest to their awesomeness.
And since I don’t want to incite a riot on your website, I’ll keep mum about the Bush.
You probably won’t be able to relocate a mature, established bush b/c the root ball will be heavy and HUGE. Personally, I would take them all out and put in some native shrubs (like itea virginica, etc) or something else entirely…
John and Sherry,
I asked my husband what he would do if faced with your dilemna. He put on his landscaping business-owner hat and suggests removing both the boxwood that died and the one on the end. You could then leave that space open and put some pretty planters on top of the brick wall that the bushes were hiding, or plant either a dwarf specimen tree there, or some spring bulbs for early color followed by some annuals when the time comes.
Good luck!
Hilary
That title is a riot. Thanks again for avoiding a political post (ahem Door Sixteen).
The only thing with transplanting is that sometimes the plant doesn’t make it. We had a bush moved at our old house and it did survive, but the landscaper said it was 50-50 chance. Just another tidbit of info to take into consideration with your planning…
I would go with a Knockout Rose. They are the maintenance free rose bush. No spraying or dead heading. You can cut them back if you want, but don’t have to. I think they are supposed to do well in all soil types. But please keep in mind I don’t live in Virginia.
Well living in Berlin without an ounce of yard, I’m afraid I can’t help much. But oh how I love the way you introduced this topic!
Katie
How about a concrete garden statue surrounded by some annuals, so you could change out the colors every year?
I think you should just move the boxwood from the end to the middle.
You just need to dig a hole around the old boxwood roughly the width of the top of the plant, and a depth of around 12″. Then slide the shovel under the plant, prying gently, until the bush pops free. Boxwood roots are pretty soft so it shouldn’t be that hard to get up. Once it is pried loose use a piece of burlap, or something similar, to slide underneath and then tie the corners of the burlap to encapsulate the shrub. I warn you that the root ball will be big and heavy, but with the burlap tied this way you should be able to carry/drag it with the help of another person. Dig a hole for your new boxwood, toss the transplant in it along with some of your lovely compost you should be as good as new. I wouldn’t worry too much about losing this boxwood as this is a fine time of year to transplant (for you), and boxwoods are pretty vigorous.
A nice specimen would then go nicely at the end. I’m a fan of dwarf specimens, like a dwarf hinoki cypress, but I’m not sure how they work in your climate and it may be a bit more than you want to spend.
I would suggest moving the end bush to replace it. Although, if it doesn’t take well to transplanting, then you can defintely go the route of adding a different, smaller plant to both spots.
I agree with a couple of other comment-ers. Get rid of the last one and plant something more interesting! I love the idea of a dwarf specimen. Or maybe a Lady Banks Rose!
boxwoods take forever to grow, so I wouldn’t try a new one and a transplant will likely dwarf the plant for a season or two until it regains strength from the roots lost. I would put a bird feeder there (kind of more like a band-aid…) or just take out the last one and try something new at the front. That is odd though that one whole plant would just up and die after being so established. is there a dryer vent there or something?
So, please don’t shoot me, but rip it out and redo. Those boxwoods don’t do anything for back there! At this point, it would look better all ripped out and some fresh mulch put down. It blocks that gorg’ brick you have!
If you are looking for a cheap fix, why not rip out the big bushes and just replant the monkey-grass in a row? Then, it is low enough to see the brick, and you could plant some flowers for color in the spring.
I’m sure you two will have it looking great no matter what you do. Good Luck!
I have no creative suggestions, just coordination advice. Don’t transplant large bushes during a drought that will be followed by one of the colder winters on record. (I know, where’s a fortune teller when you need one?) Sadly, we’ve lost three large azaleas that we transplanted almost a year ago. There’s one more we can move from around back, but we’ve got to purchase some more in a few months and there’s no way they’ll be as big as the ones we moved.
I’d rip out all the bushes and put in some Hosta. I know it’s sort of similar to the liriope idea but it is hardy and low maintenance. You could get some interesting variegated forms, too. Patriot is one of my faves :) Just sayin’
Great site! This outdoor project is what i’m planning this weekend. I found you from Charles & Hudson.
What about a feature pot? A big urn or water pot. Ive used one of those to fill a hole in our garden. A happy side effect was that its now a home for a little frog and birds.
First off, are you sure the shrub is in fact a boxwood? It’s a little hard to tell from the picture but it almost looks like Ilex crenata ‘Compacta’ which is a small leafed thorn less holly shrub that is often confused for a boxwood. Regardless, the other shrubs surrounding the dead one don’t look very healthy and in my opinion they should all be removed. Without knowing the sunlight requirements and width and length of the planting bed it’s a little more difficult to recommend an appropriate replacement. Also, are those windows that I see in the photo and if so, are they part of a living space inside the house? If they are you probable don’t want to block them with anything too tall. As with any landscape renovation remember the most important step before you pick out your plants is to amend your soil, because of the decline of the current shrubs it looks like the soil in that spot definitely needs it. Any bagged compost material from a home or garden center will do. Anyway, if you want to elaborate with the site requirements and location I would be happy to give you my opinion, for what it’s worth!!!
Hey everyone,
Thanks so much for the feedback! As for how the bush woke up dead one day, we have no idea (other than to assume that it was some sort of disease or bug that it came down with). The squares that you see beyond the boxwoods are actually a window (left) and a door (right) to the the unfinished basement, so we originally didn’t mind obscuring them with a few mature bushes. But now we’ve actually decided that revealing more of the pretty brick work and bringing in some smaller, more colorful plantings is the way to go. Thanks so much for all the ideas! We can’t wait for planting weather. Oh and we do in fact know they’re American boxwoods (we actually had a horticulturalist friend come through and talk to us about all of our plantings a few years ago) but we’re not attached to them in any way so we’re 100% cool with removing them all and starting over. Stay tuned…
xoxo,
Sherry
We have used some azaleas that bloom 3 times a year. It is so great to see other branches bare around you, and here you have a beautiful, blooming azalea in the late fall, early winter. Any Virginia nursery can point you to these. They do really well in our climate and require very little care. Good luck!