Boxwood Plant Guide
Buxus
The foundation of formal garden design. Boxwood provides year-round evergreen structure, takes shaping beautifully, and defines spaces with elegant precision.
Quick Facts
Why Grow Boxwood
Boxwood is the backbone of garden structure. Its dense, fine-textured evergreen foliage creates perfect hedges, topiary, and borders that look immaculate year-round. It defines spaces, frames views, and provides the architectural framework that makes flower gardens look intentional rather than chaotic. No plant does formal structure better.
Best Varieties
'Green Velvet' is the most cold-hardy and maintains a naturally round shape. 'Winter Gem' is excellent for hedges with good winter color. 'Dee Runk' grows tall and columnar — perfect for narrow spaces. 'Sprinter' has faster growth and excellent disease resistance. For edging, 'Suffruticosa' (English dwarf boxwood) stays compact at 2-3 feet. NewGen varieties are resistant to boxwood blight.
Planting and Hedging
For a formal hedge, space plants 12-18 inches apart. Dig a trench rather than individual holes for even spacing. Use a string line to ensure a straight row. Plant at the same depth as the nursery pot — burying the crown causes stem rot. Mulch with 2 inches of organic mulch to retain moisture and moderate soil temperature.
Shaping and Maintenance
Shear hedges 2-3 times during the growing season for a tight, formal look. Make the hedge slightly wider at the base than the top so lower branches get sunlight. For topiary, start training young plants and trim frequently. Water deeply during dry spells — boxwood roots are shallow. Protect from harsh winter wind and salt spray with burlap screens in exposed locations.
Companion Plants
Boxwood pairs beautifully with:
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does boxwood grow?
What is boxwood blight?
Can boxwood grow in shade?
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