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Buxus - cutting

BanditaBandita Posts: 35
edited April 2018 in Problem solving
Hello I want to cut back another shrub in our front garden. I think it's a Buxus. The picture doesn't really show its real size as the garden slopes down towards the front of the house. Therefore the shrub looks smaller. I would like to make this much smaller too (after doing my Hypericum earlier). Maybe remove 2/3rds of this one. Is that possible? And is it best to keep the same shape? I guess there will be a lot more soil showing where once it's done as the grass doesn't grow that close. Or maybe the 'base' will have to/stay the size it is? What can I do with this one? It grows bigger in summer obstructing our view a bit and we just don't need such a big shrub, it also overhangs our path in summer. I don't mind if it looks unsightly/bare for a while. 

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    If you don't like it much and it's in the way, then get rid of it and grow something you do like. It may be a small leaved privet (lonicera nitida)  rather than box, which grows really fast and needs trimming every 6 weeks I find. It can take hard pruning but you may get bare patches. If it's a sunny spot, you could try lavender or a hebe.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • BanditaBandita Posts: 35
    We decided to cut it back and it now is a lot smaller as we wanted. The area that it used to cover is now bare plus it has revealed a drain cover. For the rest there is just lawn. We're thinking of growing new grass on the bare patch and for the moment we want to put some netting on to keep the cats off. When the hot spell is over we want to sow the grass seeds. What do you think? and does it matter what netting to keep cats off? I have found this https://www.wmjames.co.uk/dark-green-windbreak-shade-netting.html?157=573&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIluD-_6yk3AIVS7DtCh3GGAXVEAQYASABEgI2OvD_BwE  
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    You can get other types of netting by the metre from most garden centres who will advise on the best type to keep cats off. You will need metal pegs to keep the net taut.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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