Shaping / Trimming
This evergreen shrub really needs very little trimming. A good all over haircut early summer can sometimes suffice for the whole year. But if your plant produces more growth and is still looking raggy at the end of the summer then a light trim during late August will do no harm. Try not to clip during the first planted season as this could slow roots from establishing.
Where To Grow
Buxus are really quite versatile when it comes to different soil types from Acid, alkaline and neutral. Soil should be moist but well drained. When it comes to position they are also very versatile sun or partial shade will suit, but be careful of drying out in full sun positions, especially if they are newly planted. Plants can suffer from wind-burn on over exposed sites. In pots always use John Innis compost this is soil based and will hold nutrients longer and not dry out as quick.
Feeding
If you are growing them in containers then for best results use a slow release fertiliser such as Osmocote this will normally last all season but if you find the foliage turning pale then a liquid feed could be applied during the growing months. Alternatively use a general fertiliser in early spring and again mid summer if it is not to dry.
Pest and diseases
Brown Leaves? The most common problem is suffering from irregular watering. This is especially important when growing in pots these plants can die in the winter as well as the summer from lack of water when grown in pots. Keep an eye open for aphids one the new growth has started wooly aphid can be visible looking like bits of fluff on the plant. Try adding a little wetting agent like washing up liquid to your insecticide this will help it stick to the wooly aphid.
Other pests you should look out for are thrips and in hot summers you should watch for Red Spider Mite. Buxus are normally free from disease problems but newly planted plants can suffer from leaf spot in wet conditions. You should also be aware of Box Blight this can look like leaf spot but is much more aggressive the plants can rapidly defoliate. You can sometimes see a grey fungus growing on the stems of the affected plants. If your plants are affected by this problem it is safer to destroy the affected plants. Good drainage is a good deterrent from this problem.
Special Notes
All Buxus plant parts may cause severe digestion discomfort in ingested.