Cedars, Hicks Yews & Boxwoods: How to Care for Your Evergreens This Summer
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If you’ve got cedars, Hicks yews, or boxwoods in your yard, you’ve probably noticed they don’t always look the same coming out of a long Ontario winter or after a stretch of dry summer heat. Sometimes they come out looking a little rough, some brown here, some yellow there, and it’s easy to panic and assume something is seriously wrong.
Most of the time, the fix is simpler than you think. Here’s how to read what your evergreens are telling you, and what to do about it.
Brown = not enough water. If your evergreen is showing brown patches or browning tips, the plant is likely stressed from drought or underwatering. This is especially common during dry stretches in the summer when the ground dries out faster than people expect.
Yellow = too much water. Yellowing usually means the roots are sitting in too much moisture. Overwatering or poor drainage can suffocate roots and turn your evergreens a dull, yellowish colour. It can also be a sign of compacted soil that isn’t draining properly.
How Much Water Do Evergreens Actually Need?
Cedars, Hicks yews, and boxwoods don’t need a lot of water. These are tough, hardy plants. What they need is consistent moisture, not frequent drenching.
Water deeply but infrequently. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Check the soil around the base before reaching for the hose. If it still feels moist a couple inches down, hold off. If it’s dry and crumbly, it’s time to water.
In the heat of summer, early morning watering is best. It gives the water time to soak in before the heat of the day, and it reduces the chance of fungal issues from leaves staying wet overnight.
Clean Out the Dead Debris Inside the Plants
One thing a lot of homeowners skip is cleaning out the inside of the plant. Over time, dead leaves, twigs, and debris collect inside cedars and yews — you can’t always see it from the outside, but it’s in there.
Use a leaf blower to blow out the interior of the plant from the bottom up. You’ll be surprised how much comes out. This improves airflow, reduces the risk of fungal disease, and just makes the plant healthier overall. It’s a quick step but makes a real difference, especially for dense hedges like Hicks yews and tightly shaped boxwoods.
Use a Slow-Release Fertilizer
If your evergreens are looking dull or aren’t growing as vigorously as they should, a slow-release fertilizer formulated for evergreens can make a big difference.
Slow-release fertilizers feed the plant gradually over weeks or months, rather than dumping nutrients all at once. Fast-release fertilizers can actually burn evergreen roots if over-applied, and they tend to push quick, soft growth that doesn’t hold up as well.
Look for a fertilizer labelled for evergreens, trees, and shrubs — something with a balanced or slightly acidic formulation works well for cedars, yews, and boxwoods. Apply according to the package directions, water it in well, and let it do its job.
Quick Summer Checklist for Your Evergreens
- Brown tips or patches → water more consistently
- Yellow or dull colour → check drainage and reduce watering
- Blow out dead debris from the interior of the plant
- Apply a slow-release evergreen fertilizer and water it in
- Water deeply but not too frequently — let the soil guide you
Cedars, Hicks yews, and boxwoods are some of the most dependable plants you can have in a GTA yard. They’re low-maintenance when treated right. A little attention goes a long way.
If you’re thinking about refreshing your yard with new plantings or a full residential landscape installation, the Oakly team works with homeowners across the GTA to build outdoor spaces that are designed to last. Get in touch for a free quote and let’s talk about what your yard needs.
