Comments on: Hey Bush, It’s Over

By: YoungHouseLove

YoungHouseLove — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 02:16:36 +0000

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

By: Amy Y

Amy Y — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:17:01 +0000

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!

By: carmen

carmen — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:57:02 +0000

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!!!

By: LindaS

LindaS — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:51:33 +0000

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.

By: Laura Stanton

Laura Stanton — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:07:03 +0000

Great site! This outdoor project is what i’m planning this weekend. I found you from Charles & Hudson.

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:51:44 +0000

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’

By: Wes

Wes — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:33:59 +0000

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.

By: Sara

Sara — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:51:16 +0000

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!

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:31:30 +0000

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?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:56:50 +0000

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!