boxwood bushes odor - Ask Extension
We just bought a house in St. Paul that has boxwood bushes right outside the windows of our screened in porch. They are beautiful, but the odor of &q...
Knowledgebase
boxwood bushes odor #853773
Asked October 23, 2023, 10:21 AM EDT
We just bought a house in St. Paul that has boxwood bushes right outside the windows of our screened in porch. They are beautiful, but the odor of "cat pee" that they exude makes it very difficult to sit out there. The odor is overwhelming if you are anywhere near them outside. Is there anything safe that we can spray on them to eliminate the smell?
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
These questions are usually answered with citations for research based educational or government institutions. Unfortunately, none of my usual sources discuss Boxwood scent. I have consulted several commercial sources and nearly all of them mention that boxwood has a natural scent that smells like cat urine. And nothing can be done except planting a variety of boxwood that does not have a scent. Sorry.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/boxwood-has-bad-odor.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/boxwood/boxwood-has-bad-odor.htm
