The ‘Grand Blandy’ Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Graham Blandy’) is an evergreen shrub known for its upright, columnar form. It adds structure and year-round interest to landscapes, making it a popular choice for formal hedges, specimen planting, or vertical accents.
Understanding Grand Blandy Boxwood
The ‘Grand Blandy’ boxwood is distinguished by its slender, upright growth habit. This slow-growing broadleaf evergreen typically reaches a mature height of 5 to 15 feet while maintaining a narrow spread of only 1 to 2 feet wide. It presents a dense, multi-stemmed structure with upward-sweeping branches that contribute to its distinctive columnar silhouette.
Its foliage consists of small, ovate, lustrous leaves that emerge as a soft green in spring and mature into a dark, rich green hue throughout the season. This consistent green color provides year-round appeal. The dense packing of these leaves along the stems gives the plant a polished and uniform appearance.
Planting Grand Blandy Boxwood
Careful site selection is important for planting ‘Grand Blandy’ boxwood. The chosen site should offer shelter from strong winter winds, as its upright form can make it susceptible to breakage and winter burn.
When preparing the planting hole, dig it twice as wide as the root ball and slightly shallower, ensuring the crown sits just above the soil line. Backfill with excavated soil, gently tamping to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
Ongoing Care for Grand Blandy Boxwood
Light Requirements
‘Grand Blandy’ boxwood performs best with 5 to 6 hours of direct sun daily. While it tolerates partial shade, deeper shade may result in slower growth and less dense foliage. In areas with intense, all-day sun, afternoon shade helps prevent leaf discoloration and wilting.
Soil Preferences
Well-drained soil is crucial for ‘Grand Blandy’ boxwood, as its shallow root system is susceptible to root rot in waterlogged conditions. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils, with a pH between 6.5 and 7.2 optimal for nutrient uptake. Incorporating organic matter and adding a 1 to 2-inch layer of organic mulch helps maintain soil moisture, regulate root temperature, and suppress weeds.
Watering Needs
During its establishment period (up to 18 months), ‘Grand Blandy’ boxwood requires consistent moisture. Water newly planted shrubs deeply and regularly, at least twice a week, keeping the soil evenly moist but not soggy. For established plants, watering every 4 to 7 days is generally sufficient, depending on weather and soil conditions. Supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods or high heat helps prevent stress.
Fertilization
‘Grand Blandy’ boxwood benefits from fertilization in late autumn or early spring when soil temperatures are moderate. A slow-release, granular fertilizer (e.g., 10-6-4 or 10-10-10) is recommended. Apply fertilizer at or just past the shrub’s drip line, on top of the mulch, to avoid burning shallow roots. Avoid fertilizing during hot summer months or late summer/early autumn, as this can stress the plant or promote frost-vulnerable new growth.
Pruning Techniques
‘Grand Blandy’ boxwood is slow-growing and naturally maintains a tight, columnar form, often requiring minimal pruning. For shaping or denser growth, prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Remove dead or damaged branches and thin the interior to improve air circulation and reduce disease risk. Formal shaping can also be done in late spring or early summer after the initial flush of new growth.
Addressing Common Problems
‘Grand Blandy’ boxwood can encounter several issues. Pests like boxwood leafminers, mites, and psyllids can cause leaf discoloration, distortion, or stippling. Inspecting the undersides of leaves helps identify pests early for targeted treatment.
Fungal diseases like boxwood blight and root rot also pose threats. Boxwood blight causes black spots on foliage, defoliation, and black cankers on stems, thriving in humid conditions. Root rot, often from poorly drained or consistently wet soils, causes branches to discolor and die back. Proper drainage and avoiding overwatering prevent root rot. Environmental stressors like winter burn, characterized by bronzing foliage, can occur in exposed locations with full winter sun and strong winds due to rapid moisture loss.