THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 7, 1995 TAG: 9505050102
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GARDENING REMINDERS
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
EVERYWHERE I GO, gardeners are crying the blues about boxwood. Much of it is sick, and no one knows how to bring it back to good health, including the best minds of Virginia Tech.
In rummaging through old files, I found this information from Grounds Maintenance magazine. It is not in complete agreement with Virginia Tech's analysis of boxwood problems, but it may help. It says:
``One of the most important aspects of boxwood maintenance is pruning and thinning. To grow healthy, thriving boxwood, it is critical they be pruned once a year by thinning some of the branches in the upper portion of the plant. This interior pruning is necessary, so the center portion receives air and light. Boxwood that has been neglected can be rejuvenated both by this interior thinning and by severely cutting back the top.''
The article also recommends feeding healthy boxwood every other year. Weak plants, often indicated by the light green or off-bronze color seen on many Hampton Roads shrubs, should be fed twice a year. For winter feedings use bone meal; in spring apply dehydrated blood. In early summer, use a liquid fertilizer such as 17-17-17 or 23-21-17. The magazine also suggests a winter application of anti-transpirants, such as Wilt-Pruf, - to prevent water loss.
If your sick boxwood requires continual work, you may be better off pulling it up. Native yaupon holly is an excellent substitute. There's a new dwarf yaupon named ``Bordeaux'' from Flowerwood Nursery, reputable wholesale growers in Mobile, Ala. It is low growing and can be used in a variety of locations. The true beauty is the foliage, which is deep maroon during the growing season and green in the winter. It's not expensive; a one-gallon pot size costs about $7.50. Look for yaupon holly ``Bordeaux'' at garden centers. GARDEN CLUB SPEAKERS
W.C. Baker, president of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Duane Harding, WTKR TV meteorologist, will be featured speakers at the seventh annual meeting of the Garden Club of Virginia on Wednesday and Thursday in the Ballroom of the Norfolk Marriott Hotel. Baker speaks on Wednesday and Harding on Thursday. The lectures, both at 10:30 a.m., are free and open to the public. Call 489-7013. BALANCE MOWER BLADES
Remember to balance the blades of your lawn mower when you sharpen them. Sharpening can cause the blades to become unbalanced, which strains the engine. A balancing cone can be purchased at any hardware store. For typical residential use (less than an hour per mowing) a once-per-season sharpening and balancing and a single oil change should do. If your mowing season requires more than 25 hours, more frequent engine and blade care is necessary.
Be sure to check the blade height. Early in the season, cut at 2 1/2 to 3 inches so you can mow less often. Move the height to 3 inches in hot weather. Longer grass height helps retain moisture in the soil, so you can water less frequently and root systems grow deeper. BEARDED IRIS SHOW
If you like to admire beautiful iris, visit Pembroke Mall on Saturday for the Tall Bearded Iris Show of the Tidewater Iris Society. The show opens at noon and is free for viewing until the mall closes that night. Call 466-7824. CAMELLIAS FOR SALE
The Virginia Camellia Society has a few good plants left from its April sale. If you couldn't get there and want some camellias, call 622-6510. HERB GARDEN OPEN
Linda's Garden in Pungo is now open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 14. Linda Xenakis is the primary grower of herbs in South Hampton Roads, doing it all from her home and garden at 1436 Campbells Landing Road, Virginia Beach. All herbs are grown organically. For directions, call 426-5303. by CNB