Discount nursery boxwood...

Hey All,
I bought this inexpensive Korean boxwood a few weeks back. It was about $12 usd and so I figured I'd give it a go. It obviously still needs plenty of time before it starts looking good, but I think it has potential. It definitely is lacking vigor from being severely root bound and the foliage needs to be promoted closer to the trunk. I have done some preliminary cutting and will root prune and re-pot it next spring. I am looking for advice on which branches I should keep and which you all think should go. I have my ideas but am interested in seeing how others view the future of this tree.






There is a bit more trunk flare below the soil and the roots seem to be in a decent positions for my ideas. Advice, criticism, tips, and feedback are very welcome.

Todd

Oh and this is what it looked like when I first bought it.

Hey,
I didn't get much response on this one, so I took matters into to my own untrained hands. Loke Emil did PM me with an idea for a windswept style, which lead me to where it is today. Although I have decided against the windswept styling I think the idea he outlined was good. Here it is as it stands today after a root reduction and heavy pruning over the weekend. I think its beginning to move in the right direction.



Hopefully it will back bud and grow well the next couple of seasons, then it might get somewhere. Any thoughts or comments?

Todd

Hello Todd,

You've done well & i like what you had done with it,keep us posted,

Regards,
Alex

You did a great job with the pruning,,my opion,, it is hard to see with boxwood to me so much has to come off at the start.. i do like to prune them..never know what you can find!!! i like it,,good job take care john

John,
I had the same problem with this one at first. After initially taking off what I was sure I didn't need and then slowly taking off a bit more as I studied it, I took pictures and mulled over them through the cold months. I came up with a few ideas and then upon repotting the direction became more clear. I thinking taking my time helped me here because this is far from what I originally thought I would do with it. Thanks for the comments.

Todd

Todd, I think this is a very good progression you have made!
The only thing that bothers me (and I am a beginner, I remind you) is the upper straight vertical portion of the trunk (or it is a branch?).
Eliminating this or drastrically shortening (so that you can start a new branch) would improve the design, I believe....
If someone could make a virtual perhaps it would of help...

Hi Todd

With a nice trunk base and nebari like that, I can imagine that you really want things going in the right direction. I think it is time to let the Box rest...and let the tree come out of the box on it's own...See where the tree is sprouting new growth and which areas are perhaps getting weaker from the pruning so far. Though My Nellie pinpoints a problem with the straight branch/leader I would like to add, that this branch as well as the other top branches, offers an opportunity for styling with a wiring, at this point. Nice job by the way.

ps. Thank you for mentioning my virtual from the 'old post'. I find that to be a very nice gesture ;-)

best regards from Loke Emil

You may find, in time, that you need or want to cut it back even farther.

Hey guys,
This is going to be cut back much more in the future, but for now I plan to let it grow and fill out. Nellie, that straight section is a back branch that needs to come off but for now I want it to bud lower down so I can use the lower part of it. Thanks for the replies we'll see where it goes from here.

Todd

Here's an update on this one...

Last year I planted it on a stone and it looked fine but not exactly what I wanted.


I repotted it today into this pot. Better?


Todd

Yes - looks great

Dave