Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 17, 1991                   TAG: 9102180356
SECTION: HOMES                    PAGE: E-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

KOREAN BOXWOODS' COLOR CHANGE NORMAL

A: That color change in your new boxwoods is nothing to worry about. I'm assuming you have the variety "koreana," which is one type of Japanese or Littleleaf Boxwood. This variety is hardy, and is known for its color change in the winter.

Since your boxwoods were just planted last fall, fertilizing them this spring may not be helpful, unless you have taken a soil test that shows the soil is low in nutrients. Newly planted shrubs should be given a good chance to establish their roots in their new soil without stimulation of top growth. For this first year, your most important job is providing the boxwoods a once-a-week soaking during dry times.

In future years, your boxwoods can be fertilized in the early spring, but this should not be necessary every year. If during the summer the plants show signs of poor growth, such as a light green leaf color and thin twigs, apply a granular 10-10-10 fertilizer around each boxwood based on the plant's height as follows: 18 inches or under, [ cup; 2-3 feet,\ fourth cup; and 4 feet or more, 1/2 cup per shrub.

Apply the dry fertilizer in a broad ring starting about 6 inches from the base (stems or trunk) and extending out several inches beyond the ends of the branches. Scratch the fertilizer into the mulch or soil with a rake, and then water thoroughly to take the nutrients into the root area. If spring rains are lacking, occasional waterings will be necessary to continue carrying the nutrients from the granules.

If you decide to use a specialty plant food made for homeowners to use on shrubs, follow the directions for the amount on that product rather than the rates given here. In our area, however, usually only one annual fertilizing for boxwoods is needed although some fertilizer labels may say to use that product on a repeated basis.

Got a question about your plants, garden, lawn, or insects? Write to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times & World-News, P. O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010.

Gardener's checklist

Remove honeysuckle and other weedy vines from deciduous plants now.

So that old hay and manure will be weed-free for use in the garden, spread them on the soil in late winter, water well, and cover with black plastic. Before working an area in the garden for early spring planting, check the soil. It should be dry enough to crumble in your hand before you begin.