When to prune boxwood
Late winter to spring; light shaping into early summer. Thin by reaching in and removing small branches to let light into the center; shear lightly. Finish shaping by midsummer so new growth hardens before cold.
| Type | shrub |
|---|---|
| Blooms on | foliage |
| Bloom season | n/a |
| When to prune | Late winter to spring; light shaping into early summer |
| Stop | No heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost |
Avoid
Late-summer and fall shearing; shearing only the outer shell (which shades out the inside).
Also
No heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost
Example dates
| Place | Dates |
|---|---|
| Austin, TX (78701) | Feb 10–Apr 7 |
| Atlanta, GA (30303) | Feb 24–Apr 21 |
| St. Louis, MO (63101) | Mar 4–Apr 29 |
| Chicago, IL (60614) | Mar 13–May 8 |
| Denver, CO (80202) | Apr 2–May 28 |
| Seattle, WA (98101) | Feb 13–Apr 10 |
Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.
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Sources
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Boxwood
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension (Wisconsin Horticulture): Pruning Evergreens
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Pruning Shrubs
Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.
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