Question: My boxwoods’ leaves are tan every winter. Is there some way to prevent that? Should I prune it out?

Answer: Boxwoods always seem to lose 1-2 inches of their tip growth after the first hard freeze. The original Japanese boxwoods aren’t reliably winter-proof in colder parts of Texas. Switch over to varieties such as Wintergreen or Green Beauty instead. They’ll hold their color better in the cold. Prune your plants lightly to remove the dead tissue.