Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Dig around each English boxwood plant starting at least 12 inches from the main stem to remove a large portion of the main root system. Dig to a depth of about 10 to 12 inches. It's important to dig in a wide area rather than a deep one because the shrub's root system is shallow.
2

Pry the boxwood from the planting area with planks to lever it from the ground. Set the root ball on a tarp in a shaded area.
3

Move the English boxwood to the new location by dragging the tarp to help prevent damaging the roots.
4

Dig a hole that is twice the width of the root ball and the same depth. Add an equal amount of organic compost to the removed soil and mix it together to increase the nutrient content.
5

Add about one inch of organic compost to the bottom of the hole and set the root ball on top. This will increase the nutrient content around the root mass and compensate for any soil lost from the root ball when the boxwood was moved to the new location.
6

Hold the boxwood in place by packing the amended soil around the root ball.
7

Water the root ball thoroughly to moisten the soil to a depth of about 12 inches. Add more amended soil to cover the root ball if it compacted after watering. The soil should be even with the ground level.
8

Space other boxwood shrubs at the same distance they were previously growing. Add 6 to 12 inches to the distance if the hedge was overcrowded.
9

Spread a 1- to 2-inch layer of organic mulch over the root ball of the English boxwood plants starting 6 inches from the main stem.
10

Water the soil over the root ball once a week when there is no rainfall to moisten the soil at least 8 inches deep during the first six months to promote strong root establishment.