Boxwood (Buxus Sempervirens ‘Dee Runk’) is an architectural broadleaf shrub with a beautiful columnar form and an abundance of oval, glossy leaves. The vivid green foliage of this plant is resistant to boxwood blight.
In the landscape or garden, boxwood is known for its sturdy structure. Throughout the winter, the small glossy oval leaves stay dark green. This shrub requires little care and can be pruned at any time. Its small yellow-green flowers are not much to look at, but they attract bees. Deer, on the other hand, tend to avoid boxwoods.
If this hasn’t convinced you to add a boxwood to your garden, read on to find out a little more about it.
How Fast Does It Grow?
The boxwood variety ‘Dee Runk’ has a medium to fast growth rate. This plant can grow 3 to 6 inches in height per year.
Mature Size
A ‘Dee Runk’ shrub will be roughly 5 feet tall and 1 foot wide at the base after ten years. It will take around 25 years for it to reach its maximum height of 10 feet and approximately the same amount of time for it to reach its full width of 3 feet.
Where Does It Grow Best?
Boxwood ‘Dee Runk’ grows well in USDA zones 6–8. These areas have a moderate climate, with cold winters and pleasant summers. Throughout the winter, temperatures often range from 0 to –10 degrees Fahrenheit.
This shrub does best in soils ranging from normal to damp. It should never be left to dry out completely. Although it is not picky about the type of soil in which it thrives, alkaline soil is definitely favored.
How Much Sun Does It Need?
Plants can grow in a range of partial shade settings, including open sun-dappled conditions and moderate shade with several hours of morning or early afternoon sun. Plants can also grow in light shade with a few hours of sun in the early morning or late afternoon. Plants may grow in nearly complete shade, but these are often weaker and less dense, with fewer leaves.
In full sun, the plant is more prone to mite infestation, and the leaves will burn to a bronze hue throughout the winter months.
Tips to Optimize Growth Speed
Don’t overwater boxwoods since they like dry soil. ‘Dee Runk’ boxwoods are little shrubs that grow just 3 to 6 inches every year. A careful watering schedule, aA high-quality fertilizer, and regular and selective pruningwill support a healthy plant. This will prevent any diseases that may slow the growth of your shrub.
Here are five things you can do to speed up the growth of your ‘Dee Runk’ boxwood:
1. Plant Appropriately
Because boxwoods dislike being buried, make sure the root crown, which is the top of the roots where they connect to the stem, is visible at least an inch above the ground level when planting the root ball. This allows the roots to breathe more freely. It has the added benefit that it decreases the chance of root rot, which may occur when the plant receives too much water.
2. Water Appropriately
No matter how often you water your boxwood or how frequently you mist it with a spray bottle, it will not grow at a faster pace. On the contrary, too much water might cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off.
If you can put your finger into the ground until it reaches the depth of your second knuckle and it still feels damp, then there is enough moisture. When all you can feel is dry sand, it’s time to start adding water to the area.
3. Space the Plants Correctly
Boxwoods are sensitive to their surroundings. The rate at which they grow is determined by how tightly you pack them together. For optimal growth, smaller varieties should be planted at a distance of 2 to 3 feet, while the larger types should be planted at a distance of 5 to 6 feet.
4. Cover With Mulching
‘Dee Runk’ boxwoods prefer an even soil temperature. You can achieve this by mulching around your shrubs. Provide a layer of mulch that is at least 3 inches thick and extends about a foot past the widest branches.
In addition to regulating the soil’s temperature, mulch will retain moisture during hot weather and protect the roots during hard freezes.
5. Prune for Growth
When you first begin pruning your boxwoods, shape them into pyramids, even if this is not the final shape you envision. A pyramid shape allows the most light to reach the bush, which aids the plant in the photosynthesis process, which is how it produces food for itself.
Leave any freshly developed leaves alone. Unless the leaves are ill or infected—in which case you should remove them from the plant as soon as possible—you should wait until they have fully matured and become hard before cutting them.
