To Trim or Not to Trim?

Bitsy the cat peaking under the Boxwood bush.

Seldom do I see a boxwood hedge outside public gardens.  I suspect it's for two reasons:

1. They're more formal than most gardens now days.
2. They're a lot of work to keep them trimmed.  

Boxwood hedge trimmed to perfection

Large commercial or public gardens typically have garden staff to keep the many rows of clipped boxwood or individual boxwood sculptures always perfect.  And, a boxwood MUST be perfectly trimmed all the time to achieve the desired look.

I've ratcheted my boxwood expectations down a whole lot.  I have one boxwood bush.  Since my gardens are what I've often termed a "willy nilly" planting style - or - when I want to pretend I have a little savvy "English garden" style.  Either description means plants are not in any way formally arranged.  My husband will testify as he has to turn and dodge when mowing.

And then - - - I bought a boxwood and planted in my willy nilly fashion in a large informal area filled with daylilies, ornamental grasses, roses, other perennials, some small trees and bushes.  

That round ball on the left is the Boxwood under
the 2013 mega snow.

Fortunately I realized the potential to have one very formal bush within this garden and I like the contrast.  The round orb is a perfect contrast to the wild array of other plants.

Boxwood, Buxus sempervirens, is an evergreen.  It hold it leaves and color all winter.  In the spring, it sends up new lime green growth which is kept trimmed all summer.  Once it's in the shape you desire, it cannot be sheared heavily because it won't sprout from the heavy stems.   

Boxwood is an old ornamental garden plant traced to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.  It's deer resistant.  The tiny spring flowers are petal free and attract bees with it's sweet fragrance.  

It has shallow surface roots and doesn't like other plants interfering with that growth.  It may send up suckers from these roots but they can be cut off when it's trimmed.  

Boxwood bush in the near center right of the birdbath.

Plant in full sun.  I've only had winter kill one time; a few years back when we had that horribly cold windy winter.  The kill was only on the top.  I left it alone until it had again sent up new shoots that eventually filled in the space.  

It's emerald green leaves look beautiful in the winter, sharply contrasting with the snow.  I've enjoyed this bush for seventeen years in my garden and it's been stunning every year.  

Boxwood divider hedge trimmed like elephants.

If the idea of having 2,000 feet of hedge to trim or a large elephant shaped topiary is daunting, try one small Boxwood and keep it trimmed in an orb or other simple shape.  It's a fun addition and lasting addition.   
  

A boxwood sculpture that must represent the person
who has to trim this baby all summer.

At last!

It's no secret, I love a good snow.  Last evening we had our first - kinda - sorta - almost.

It was more a freezing rain event, but, the end result was something white on some surfaces.

One thing it definitely did (besides make my husband grumble as he was trying to get the sheet of ice off the truck windshield) was encourage the birds to visit my feeder. 

An array of singing sparrows, gold finches in their winter drab green coats, a yellow breasted woodpecker and the resident blue jays all decided today was the day to eat sunflower seeds.

I often hear criticism of the big blue jays such as they're bullies and mean to other birds.  Because of their size and sturdy bill, they do "rule the roost" when they want to feed.  Here's something else I've noticed:  They are early morning feeders and sweep their bill across the seeds prior to picking just the right one (or several.)  This breaks up any ice and snow.  It's like sending in the BIG snow blower.  They then proceed to scatter seeds on the ground while doing the sweep.  This allows the ground feeding birds to have their lunch later in the day.  Doves are especially thankful.

The blue jays retreat after their early morning breakfast leaving the feeder to the little birds.  The seed has been shuffled, ice crunched and the perch is cleaned from their big landing gear.  They may insist on being first, but, without their feeding routine, it would be much more difficult for the other birds.

In nature everything has a purpose and most balance with others.  Besides don't you just love the beautiful blue reflection of the jay's feathers in the winter?  A perfect winter contrast.