If you have a tall, slender boxwood, trying to force it into a round ball is a bit of a struggle. But a spiral? That’s where this plant really shines! Trying to eyeball a perfect spiral freehand can be a recipe for disaster, but don’t worry—with a few simple household items, you can guide your shears like a pro.
Choosing the Right Plant for Your Spiral
If you already have a boxwood in your yard, take a good look at it and try to “see” the spiral hidden inside. It’s a bit like being a sculptor—you have to imagine cutting away the parts that don’t belong. A good spiral candidate is tall, tapered at the top, and gets wider toward the base. If you’re heading to the nursery to plant a new one, ask for a variety that is known for growing tall and relatively fast.
Timing is Everything
It’s really only worth starting a spiral once your boxwood is at least three feet tall. Generally, you want to prune boxwoods during their active growing season, which runs from April through September. The big topiary cut that defines the spiral shape should happen right after the first spring growth spurt. You can follow up with a maintenance trim in August to keep things looking sharp.
If you need to trim more often, that’s fine, just make sure to give the plant at least four weeks to recover between haircuts. Also, keep an eye on the weather! Avoid rainy days, as damp open cuts are an invitation for fungal infections. On the flip side, avoid scorching hot sun, which can “sunburn” the freshly exposed inner leaves.
Your Topiary Toolkit
To get that perfect corkscrew shape, gather these supplies before you start:
- Four stakes of equal length
- The stakes should be slightly taller than the tree (bamboo poles work great!)
- Several yards of sturdy string or twine
Pro Tip:
You’ll want to cut your spiral by hand; electric hedge trimmers are usually too clunky for this level of detail. If you plan on shaping boxwoods often, it’s worth investing in a pair of specialized topiary shears. Just like any other garden tool, make sure they are sharp and disinfected before you start.
How to Cut the Spiral
The secret is to prune the boxwood into a pyramid first, then carve out the spiral.
- Tie your four stakes together at the top like a teepee.
- Place this “tent” over your boxwood.
- Trim away any branches sticking out past the stakes to create a clean pyramid.
- Remove the stakes.
- Tie your string to the very top of the plant, then wrap it snugly around the tree in a downward spiral. Tie the end to the main trunk at the bottom.
- Before you pick up the shears, walk around the tree to make sure the string looks even. Adjust it until the spacing is just right.
- Now, cut along the path of the string, pruning back the branches to create the “groove” of the spiral. Take your time and work in layers—it’s better to cut too little than too much, since a mistake can take a year to grow back!
- Give your boxwood a good soak and fertilize it with some compost or organic fertilizer to help it bounce back and start pushing out new growth.
