Cutting the boxwood spiral »This is how it's done

Instructions for spiral cutting

In order to create a successful spiral cut without a finished frame, you first need a suitable one Boxwood variety. Here you should choose a tall variant such as 'Rotundifolia' that is already at least one meter high. First cut this box into a cone shape:

• Tie several canes together in a tent at their upper end.
• These form an effective guideline for the cut.
• Now cut back overgrowth until the plant is level with the stalks.

Then the spiral cut can be made. To do this, proceed as follows:

• Tie a string to the top of the plant.
• Wrap the string around the bush in a wide spiral.
• Finally, tie them to the bottom of the trunk.
• Cut the lower branches in the spiral shape given by the thread.
• Proceed as evenly as possible.

Do not cut off too much at once, rather proceed slowly: "Cut a little and cut often" is the motto for successful Topiary. Too drastic an approach leads to unbalanced shapes that need at least a year to grow to some extent. After the cut, the boxwood should be supplied with organic fertilizer and watered regularly so that it can recover from the rigors of pruning.

The right tool

Always use very sharp and clean tools for the topiary, as the soft shoots you remove are very juicy and easy to tear for Diseases become vulnerable. Targeted and precise cuts are also not possible with flexible shoots with blunt tools. To avoid a dangerous fungal infection, it is also advisable to disinfect with an alcohol solution (at least 70%). For an easy and precise cut, scissors are perfect for sheep shearing.