boxwood shrubs

How To Grow and Care For Boxwood Shrubs (Buxus spp.)

Sharing is caring!

Boxwoods are a firm favorite amongst gardeners looking for a formal hedge or topiary specimen. Unfortunately, these fantastic plants are susceptible to some pest and disease problems and will do better with more attention than other plants. 

Read on to learn more about growing and caring for these evergreens to decide whether they are the right plant for you.

What Is A Boxwood Shrub?

Boxwoods, or just boxes as they are sometimes called, are evergreen shrubs or small trees of the Buxaceae family. There are a large number of species, spread out across much of the globe, on every continent except Antarctica. 

The largest species grow to over 40 feet (12m), although most plants in cultivation are small to medium shrubs. Most boxwoods have small, rounded leaves, which are arranged oppositely in all species. 

Young stems are angular and square in cross-section, which is probably the origin of this plant’s name. Alternatively, some say the origin of the plant’s name stems from a history of the wood being used in carpentry.  

Boxwood leaf color is usually green, although some plants develop bronze tones in the colder months. The more winter sun the plants are exposed to, the more color they are likely to develop. The midrib of the leaves is very distinctive when viewed from below, showing up as a broad white line. 

Boxwood Flowers

Boxwoods are a lot more popular for their form and foliage than for their flowers, although their blossoms are pleasantly scented. 

The flowers have no petals, are small and yellow-green, and not much to look at really. These plants bloom in the spring, with the flowers making way for small brown seed capsules. 

boxwood hedge

How To Grow Boxwood Shrubs

Boxwood is popular for its dense foliage, slow growth, and ability to be shaped into various forms for hedges and garden borders. 

When to Plant Boxwood

The best time to plant boxwoods is in the fall or early spring, when the weather is cool and the soil is moist.

Boxwood can be planted in the fall from late September to early November, before the ground freezes. This allows the roots to establish themselves before winter dormancy.

Boxwood can be planted in the spring as soon as the ground can be worked, which is usually from late March to early May, depending on the region.

To avoid stressing the plants, planting boxwoods should be avoided during the hottest and driest times of the year, such as midsummer.

Propagation

There are several methods in which you can propagate boxwood shrubs.

Cuttings

In late spring or early summer to early fall, take stem cuttings, remove the lower leaves, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Keep the cutting moist in well-draining soil until roots develop. 

Layering

Layering involves burying a low-lying branch of an established boxwood in soil and keeping it moist until roots form. The new plant can be separated from the parent plant once its roots have developed.

Division

Dig up an established boxwood plant carefully and divide it into smaller sections, each with its own roots and stems.

Some forms, like the common boxwood, can also be grown by the division of their root mass.

Boxwood plants have shallow root systems and can be transplanted with some care in the fall or winter. 

Boxwood seeds

Boxwoods can be grown from seed but this is a very slow method of propagation and it will take many years to grow plants that are ready to be planted out. 

Boxwood seeds should be collected in the fall and planted in well-draining soil. Maintain a moist and warm environment in the soil until the seeds germinate 

Soil

These plants grow well in a variety of soil types, but they will do best in sandy loam with a neutral or near-neutral pH. 

The most essential requirement of the growing medium is that it is well-drained. Take care to observe that your intended growing site drains well before planting a boxwood shrub because they do not do well in waterlogged areas. 

Applying a layer of mulch will help to suppress weeds and maintain moist but not saturated soil around the root zone of the plant. 

Apply an organic mulch from a little outside the plant’s drip-line up until near the crown. The crown should never be covered in mulch as this will encourage rot. 

Watering

In well-watered climates, these plants will need little watering. In dry environments, or until the plants are established and growing well, regular watering will be needed.

Be sure to water well after planting or transplanting, and thereafter, be careful not to overwater. Overwatering can lead to root rot.

Sunlight

These plants grow best in full sun to part shade in a site that is protected from cold, strong winds. 

Afternoon shade will benefit plants grown in very hot areas and will help minimize bronzing in the winter. Hardiness zones vary depending on the species and cultivar but there are options for zones 5-10. 

Boxwood Care And Maintenance

Boxwoods are slow-growing, have moderate maintenance needs, and will need some attention from the gardener in order to do their best. 

Boxwood spacing

Ideally, these plants should be spaced apart to encourage airflow. For dwarf boxwoods varieties, this will mean a spacing of around 3 feet (0.9m). 

However, in order to grow a low hedge, you’ll probably want to space them a little closer. 

The spacing for boxwood in a hedge will depend on the size and cultivar of the plant, as well as the desired density of the hedge for privacy. 

How Far Apart to Plant Boxwood

A general rule would be to place smaller boxwood varieties closer together, while larger varieties need more space.

  • For a low hedge, larger boxwood varieties may need to be spaced 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) apart while smaller varieties can be spaced around 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) apart.
  • For a taller hedge, keep a space between 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) for smaller varieties and 24 to 30 inches (60 to 75 cm) for larger varieties.

Remember that boxwood plants are slow-growing, so you will need to be patient because it may take several years for the hedge to reach the desired size and density.

In the meantime, you can look at growing other companions around boxwood. Check our comprehensive guide to learn what to plant in front of boxwoods to create a layered and visually interesting landscape.

Pruning

Pruning to thin out will keep plants well aired which is a good preventative measure to guard against possible diseases. Make sure to sanitize your cutting tools before moving to a different plant. 

In colder climates, you can prune boxwood only after the last spring frosts to prevent any new growth being damaged by any unexpected cold snaps. Late spring pruning also encourages neater regrowth. 

In milder climates, pruning in late winter will get the plant ready for great performance in the spring.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing boxwood, if necessary, can be done with matured manure or a balanced fertilizer. Be sure not to fertilize too late in the season as the new growth this stimulates can be damaged by cold before it gets a chance to harden off. 

If you’ve grown your plant in an area that is exposed to cold harsh winds the leaves can dry out and bronze to brown discoloration can result. Setting up a windbreak or covering the plants in burlap or garden fabric can be helpful.

Insect and Diseases

The box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) is an Asian insect that has invaded Europe and North America. The caterpillar of this moth is a serious pest of Buxus species that causes defoliation. It can be controlled by means of insecticides. 

The boxwood leaf miner is a fly species whose larval stage can seriously damage the leaves of these plants. These larvae cause the leaves to swell up and die off. Other important invertebrate pests of these plants include the boxwood mite and the boxwood psyllid. 

Buxus species are susceptible to some diseases as well, of which boxwood blight is the most serious. This fungal disease affects some cultivars more than others. This disease causes discoloration of the stems and leaves which progresses to serious defoliation and dieback that can kill young plants. 

Regular inspection of your boxwood plants is important for early detection of both pest and disease problems. Look for signs of frass (insect droppings), chewed leaves, or unusual bumps or discoloration.

If you notice diseased branches or leaves, prune them out immediately and dispose of them properly to prevent the spread of disease. Early intervention is key to keeping your boxwood shrubs healthy.

Check our guide to learn how to fix boxwood leaves turning yellow.

Suggested Boxwood Species & Cultivar

Although there are over 70 described Buxus species, the following few are the most popular boxwood types and varieties. 

Before selecting a cultivar for your garden make sure to fully research the growth rate, size, and hardiness zones of each.

Buxus microphylla – The little-leaf boxwood

This Japanese boxwood species is known for its small leaves and is popular as a bonsai specimen. There are several popular cultivars available in the horticulture trade. Some well-known examples include:

  • ‘Sprinter’: A relatively fast-growing and upright form. It is ideal for low hedges.
  • ‘Wedding Ring’: This is a variegated form with lime to golden leaf edges. 
  • ‘Winter Gem’: This boxwood reaches over 4ft (1.2m) tall and is best known for its rich bronze foliage that develops during the winter months in colder climates.
  • ‘Golden Dream’: A compact form that reaches about 3 feet (0.9m) in height and has gold and green variegated leaves. 
  • ‘Green Beauty’: This is a tough form that is more resistant to heat, dry conditions, and humidity than other box plants. A good selection for low boxwood hedges and topiary. 

Buxus balearica – Balearic boxwood

This species grows to about 10 feet tall (3m) and nearly as wide. It is native to parts of North Africa and the Mediterranean. This species has an upright growth form and slightly bigger leaves than other popular species. B. balearica is adapted to warm climates and can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10.  

Buxus sinica – Korean boxwood

This East Asian species is popularly grown in borders, hedges, and containers. 

  • ‘Nana’: This is a very slow-growing plant that puts on just a couple of inches per year. It is a dwarf selection that grows about 2 feet (0.6m) tall and a little wider. New growth is lime green and darkens as it matures. 
  • ‘Wintergreen’: This cultivar is said to hold its color better in winter than other forms. It is a relatively fast-growing box plant.  

Buxus sempervirens – common boxwood

This species is native to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. The wild species can grow to over 15 feet (4.5m), although it is a slow-growing plant.  

  • ‘Fastigiata’: This large Buxus makes an excellent upright hedge. The foliage is deep green and these plants grow fairly fast for a boxwood. 
  • ‘Graham Blandy’: This very upright form is ideal as an eyecatching architectural column specimen in the landscape.

Buxus harlandii – harland boxwood 

This Chinese species is less cold-hardy than other options and grows well in zones 7-9. It shows good resistance to pests and diseases. This species has fairly narrow leaves and grows as a rounded shrub that usually reaches about 3 feet (0.9m) in height and width. 

Boxwood Bush Uses

Horticultural Uses

These plants are popular container and bonsai subjects but are most extensively used for short to medium hedges and architectural topiary. Boxwood hedges look amazing. It’s also worth noting that there are other boxwood alternatives which you can incorporate to create a perfect-looking garden.

They can also be grown as a border plant, foundation plantings, or privacy screen. The brightly colored variegated forms can make great accent plants.  

Human Uses

Buxus semperivens has a long history of medicinal uses for a variety of diseases and conditions, but these are not scientifically proven and therefore recommended. 

Wildlife Uses

Boxwood bushes are a great deer-resistant plant and their flowers are visited by bees and other pollinators.

FAQs

Do boxwoods like sun or shade?

Boxwoods prefer partial shade to full sun. They can tolerate a wide range of light conditions but perform best in locations with filtered sunlight or dappled shade, especially in hot climates.

Why are the leaves on my boxwood turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on boxwoods can indicate various issues, including nutrient deficiencies, overwatering, underwatering, poor soil drainage, or pest infestations. Conduct a thorough inspection of the plant and its growing conditions to identify and address the underlying cause.

Can boxwoods live in pots?

Yes, boxwoods can live and thrive in pots or containers, making them versatile plants for both indoor and outdoor settings.

How often do you water new boxwoods?

Water new boxwoods regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the establishment period, typically the first year after planting.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for compact and tidy formal evergreen bushes for your garden, look no further than the boxwood shrubs. Bear in mind though that these plants do not produce showy flowers, they are slow growers, and they will need some maintenance in order to grow their best. Happy gardening!

See more: How to rejuvenate boxwoods

*image by NadyaTk/depositphotos

Scroll to Top