Boxwoods and Irises - Knowledgebase Question

Roses
kalamazoo, MI
Question by dfgquilter
May 29, 2007
Hi... my 2' X 2' boxwood really got damaged by our April snowstorms. Three/fourths of the leaves are brown and dropping off.
Should I cut the whole shrub down to almost the ground and hope for new shoots? r should I just leave it alone?

Also, my Irises dont do so well and I need advice. Which is the best fertilizer and when should it be put on? ALSO, what Ph do they need in their soil? Also, I could amend the soil. What is the best
combination of soil mix?
Perhaps the soil where they are is just depleted. Can I amend

the soil by top dressing it? Would that work?

Thanks so much for all your past help! Dorian


Image
Answer from NGA
May 29, 2007

0

 I would leave the boxwoods alone for now. With any luck, only the leaves were affected and not the stems. Allow time for the boxwoods to recover. If they don't develop new leaves by the end of the summer, prune out the winter kill and wait for next spring's burst of growth. Let's hope they recover!

If your irises are not performing well, now would be a good time to dig and divide them. While you have them out of the ground you can amend the soil with organic matter (spread 4-5" of compost, aged-manure, shredded leaves, etc. over the top of the soil and dig it in to a depth of 8-10"). After amending the soil you can replant your irises, just 2-3" beneath the soil surface. Amending the soil and dividing the iris rhizomes will go a long way in improving their performance. Although they will tolerate some shade, they'll grow and flower best in full sunshine.

Best wishes with your garden!

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