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Boxwoods can be cut back to the ground.
But it’s not something to do lightly.
Many gardeners wonder if cutting boxwoods back to the ground is safe.
And the honest answer is yes, but with important caveats.
When you cut boxwoods back to the ground, you’re performing a severe pruning technique often called “rejuvenation pruning.”
This works best for older, overgrown, or damaged boxwoods that have stopped looking their best.
In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about cutting boxwoods back to the ground and how to do it successfully.
Let’s dive in.
Why Boxwoods Can Be Cut Back To The Ground
Boxwoods can be cut back to the ground for a few main reasons.
Here’s why you might consider it:
1. Rejuvenation of an Old or Leggy Shrub
Old boxwoods that have become bare at the bottom can look sparse and tired.
When you cut boxwoods back to the ground, you force the plant to push out fresh, dense growth from the base.
This can restore a full, healthy shape within a season or two.
But you must be patient because the plant needs time to recover.
2. Recovery from Disease or Pest Damage
Boxwoods sometimes suffer from boxwood blight, root rot, or severe scale infestations.
Cutting boxwoods back to the ground removes all infected foliage and stems.
This gives the plant a clean start and reduces the disease pressure.
However, you should only do this if the root system is still healthy.
If the roots are compromised, the boxwood may not survive the cut.
3. Correcting Shape or Size Issues
Sometimes a boxwood has grown too large for its spot or has become misshapen.
Instead of trying to reshape it slowly over years, some gardeners choose to cut boxwoods back to the ground.
This allows the plant to regrow more uniformly and fit its space better.
But remember, this is an extreme measure.
When To Cut Boxwoods Back To The Ground
Timing is everything when you cut boxwoods back to the ground.
1. Ideal Season: Late Winter or Early Spring
The best time to cut boxwoods back to the ground is in late winter or very early spring.
This is just before new growth begins.
At this point, the plant is dormant and won’t be stressed by the shock.
Also, the cold temperatures keep fungal spores from attacking the fresh cuts.
Wait until the risk of hard freeze has passed in your area.
2. Avoid Doing It in Summer or Fall
If you cut boxwoods back to the ground in summer, the plant will not have enough energy to regrow before winter.
Summer cuts also expose the plant to sunscald on the bark.
Fall pruning is risky because new growth won’t harden off before frost.
So stick with late winter or early spring.
3. Signs That It’s Time
You should consider cutting boxwoods back to the ground if they look more than 50% dead or bare.
Also if the plant is struggling to push out any healthy shoots.
And if you’ve tried lighter pruning for two years with no improvement.
Otherwise, a less dramatic cut may be better.
How To Cut Boxwoods Back To The Ground Safely
Follow these steps when you’re ready to cut boxwoods back to the ground.
1. Gather the Right Tools
You’ll need sharp bypass loppers or a pruning saw.
A pair of clean hand pruners can help with smaller stems.
Disinfect your tools with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution.
This prevents spreading disease from one cut to another.
2. Remove All Branches Down to Stubs
When you cut boxwoods back to the ground, cut each stem about 2 to 4 inches above the soil.
Leave short stubs of 2 to 4 inches.
Do not cut all the way flush to the ground because that can damage the crown.
The stubs will sprout new shoots from dormant buds.
3. Care After the Cut
After you cut boxwoods back to the ground, water the plant deeply.
Add a layer of mulch around the base, but keep it away from the stubs.
Do not fertilize right away because that can burn new roots.
Wait until you see new growth before feeding with a balanced fertilizer.
4. Be Patient for Regrowth
It can take a full growing season for the boxwood to look full again.
Don’t panic if you see only small shoots at first.
By the second spring, the plant should be much bushier.
And by the third year, it may look like a brand new boxwood.
So, Can Boxwoods Be Cut Back To The Ground?
Boxwoods can be cut back to the ground, but it’s a drastic measure.
It works best for rejuvenating old, leggy, or diseased plants when done in late winter.
If you cut boxwoods back to the ground, be prepared to wait a year or two for full recovery.
Proper timing and aftercare make all the difference.
We hope this post has helped you understand exactly what happens when you cut boxwoods back to the ground and how to do it right.