How to Grow and Care for Boxwood (Box) Shrubs
| Botanical Name | Buxus spp. |
| Common Names | Boxwood, English boxwood, box |
| Family | Buxaceae |
| Plant Type | Shrub |
| Mature Size | 2-8 ft. tall, 2-8 ft. wide |
How tall do boxwood hedges grow?
- ‘Wintergreen’ – great for hedges up to 4 feet tall.
- ‘Morris Dwarf’ – hedges up to 1 foot tall and 1 foot wide.
- ‘Morris Midget’ – extremely dwarf, sun tolerant.
- ‘Green Beauty’ – good substitute for English boxwood, up to 3 feet tall.
- ‘Green Mountain’ – offspring of Japanese and English, excellent cold hardiness, good winter color.
Which does boxwood grow the tallest?
How tall do green velvet boxwoods get?
- Choose a well-drained site with consistently moist, sandy loam.
- Plant Green Velvet boxwood between spring and fall.
- Dig a hole twice the width and 6 inches deeper than the boxwood's container.
What is the fastest growing boxwood?
What is the fastest growing boxwood? Buxus 'Highlander' is one of the fastest growing Boxwood we've encountered to date. The foliage maintains the same dark green color of Buxus sempervirens, but is slightly larger in size. May grow as much as 24" - 30" per year. Click to see full answer.
How much space between boxwoods when planting?
The shrubs need well-drained acidic or neutral soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Boxwoods in continually wet soils often contract root-rot disease. If you're planting the boxwoods as a hedge, the site should be large enough to accommodate an 8-inch spacing between each plant. Till the site to remove roots, rocks and weeds.
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Are boxwoods fast growing?
Overall, boxwood has a very slow growth rate that's typically 6 inches or less per year. Boxwoods can be broken down into growth rates of slow, medium and fast — although keep in mind that even the fast growth rate of boxwood varieties is quite slow in comparison to other landscape shrubs.
Which boxwood is best for a hedge?
Best Boxwoods As Border HedgesBuxus microphylla japonica 'Gregem'Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'Buxus x 'Green Mountain'Buxus x 'Green Velvet'Buxus sempervirens 'Aureo-variegata'Buxus microphylla japonica 'Winter Gem'Buxus microphylla 'Wintergreen'
How tall and wide do boxwoods get?
How big do boxwoods get? Varieties range from 1 to 20 feet tall, 2 to 8 feet wide.
How wide do boxwood hedges get?
It grows up to 3 to 8 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide and produces leaves less than 1 inch long. Hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 8, common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) cultivars range from 5 to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide and produce 2-inch leaves.
How far apart should you plant boxwood hedges?
Place the plants 2 feet apart. Those dwarf varieties that should be 2 to 3 feet apart for a grouping or row of individual plants should be squeezed to more like 15 or 18 inches apart for a low hedge.
What type of boxwood grows tall?
Upright Boxwoods are ones that grow anywhere from 4 to 9 feet tall. Amongst this group would be Fastigiata, John Baldwin, Dee Runk, and the Graham Blandy Boxwood. These particular boxwoods grow upright in a natural cone-shaped form.
What makes the best privacy hedge?
Camellia, laurel and hawthorn are all good privacy hedges. These fast-growing hedges are all evergreen and reach a good height. Evergreen shrubs and evergreen trees for gardens make for the best hedges for privacy as you don't want your privacy to be compromised when the leaves fall off in fall.
Do boxwoods like sun or shade?
The boxwood can be grown as a standalone plant, in groups or as a hedge. Furthermore, the boxwood has been used in containers, topiaries and for bonsai purposes. They can thrive in light shade as well as full sun.
How long do boxwood shrubs live?
Common Boxwood Lifespan: 20-30 Years.
How do you train a boxwood hedge?
Prune boxwood each year in spring; it is okay to touch up the plant's shape or straying branches throughout mid-summer. Be sure not to prune and shape your boxwood in late summer or early fall. When you prune the plant, you encourage the cut branches to grow. They might not recover from the cut in time for winter.
What is the best privacy hedge that is fast growing?
With growth rates from 3 to 5 feet per year the fastest growing privacy hedges are Thuja Green Giant, Leyland Cypress, Cryptomeria Radicans, and Wax Myrtle. Carolina Sapphire Cypress, Nellie Stevens Holly, Oakland Holly, and Wavy Leaf Ligustrum offer fast privacy with 2 to 3 feet of upward growth per year.
How tall should my hedge be?
hedges are not required to be limited to a height of two metres. permission is not required to grow a hedge over two metres high. action may not be taken when a hedge grows over two metres high. your neighbour may not be ordered to reduce the height of their hedge.
How tall do boxwoods grow?
Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8 -- again depending on the cultivar -- mature common boxwood plants can reach a maximum average height of around 20 feet. More commonly, however, they grow to a height of between 10 and 15 feet.
How big do Japanese boxwoods get?
They also are more compact and can grow to about 8 feet tall and about 6 feet wide.
How tall does a boxwood tree grow?
The boxwood ‘Arborescens’ has oval leaves growing oppositely on woody stems. The boxwood tree grows between 15 and 20 ft. (4.5 – 6 m) tall and has an open spread. It is easy to prune the tall tree into a dense privacy hedge.
What is a boxwood shrub?
Boxwood ( Buxus) is a group of evergreen landscape shrubs that are popular for hedges, foundation plantings, topiary, accents, and containers. Boxwood trees and shrubs are easy to grow in most areas and thrive in full sun or shade. Most boxwood shrubs have dense evergreen foliage consisting of small green oval leaves and compact growth. Boxwood plants have a variety of shapes, including rounded, columnar, and dwarf shrubs.
What is a dwarf boxwood?
The dwarf Korean boxwood ‘Nana’ is a compact, evergreen shrub with dense green foliage that keeps good color throughout the year. The ‘Nana’ boxwood cultivar has tiny spoon-shaped green leaves creating a lush, rounded shape. As a dwarf boxwood shrub, Buxus sinica var. insularis ‘Nana’ is a slow grower, maturing at 2 ft. (0.6 m) tall.
What is a good hedge for privacy?
Many tall boxwood trees and shrubs make ideal privacy hedges. Tall, columnar boxwood shrubs have soft, dense foliage, creating perfect security and privacy screens. Boxwood hedge plants are also easy to trim and shape to create formal hedges, low-growing hedges, or privacy hedges.
How tall does a green velvet boxwood grow?
The hardy landscaping shrub thrives in most soils and light conditions. It grows 3 to 4 ft. (1 – 1.2 m) tall and wide.
How tall is a fastigiata boxwood?
As an upright boxwood, the ‘Fastigiata’ grows up to 6 ft. (1.8 m) tall and has a narrow spread of 2 ft. (0.6 m).
What is silver beauty boxwood?
The ‘Silver Beauty’ boxwood is a stunning hedge plant with brightly colored creamy-white and green foliage. The small, oblong, pointed leaves have a yellow margin and green center. This variegated boxwood has a pyramidal-rounded shape. The ‘Silver Beauty’ cultivar grows up to 3 ft. (1 m) tall and 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide.
How tall is a Japanese boxwood?
It is for zones 6 to 9 and has mature dimensions of 6 to 8 feet tall by 10 to 15 feet wide. Japanese boxwoods figure prominently at a number of historic sites in the Far East. B. microphylla japonica 'Winter Gem' is 4 to 6 feet tall with a similar spread.
What is a boxwood shrub?
Boxwoods are typically large shrubs or small trees, but most of the varieties used in modern landscaping are dwarf varieties, such as B. sempervirens ' Suffruticosa ', a popular plant for hedges and topiaries. Another dwarf variety is the Korean ( Buxus sinica var. insularis ).
What is a Buxus genus?
Landscape Uses. Back to Top. The Buxus genus includes about 70 species of slow-growing broadleaf evergreens. Most of the garden forms are cultivars or hybrids of two species— B. sempervirens (common box) and B. microphylla (Japanese box). Boxwoods are typically large shrubs or small trees, but most of the varieties used in modern landscaping are ...
Why are my boxwoods turning yellow?
A common problem for boxwood shrubs is "winter bronzing," a shift to reddish-brown or yellowish foliage color caused by winter exposure to wind and sun. One way to address the problem is to spray an anti-desiccant on the shrubs in late November and again in late January and to make sure your plants are watered sufficiently throughout the growing season. Also, you can build a structure around your bushes to shelter them from the wind and sun in winter. But some gardeners do not mind—or even actually value—the winter bronzing on the foliage.
What shrubs can be used as a hedge?
Two plants can be used to flank an entryway. Buxus microphylla var. japonica, the Japanese boxwood, is one of the most popular shrubs for low hedges. It is also preferred where a more drought-tolerant shrub is needed. It is for zones 6 to 9 and has mature dimensions of 6 to 8 feet tall by 10 to 15 feet wide.
How tall does a sempervirens shrub grow?
The growth habit is tighter and more compact than the 'Arborescens' cultivars. These shrubs grow to 2 to 3 feet in height with a 2- to 4-foot spread. B sempervirens' Arborescens' is a considerably larger, faster-growing plant, growing as tall as 20 feet with a spread of 8 to 10 feet. B. sempervirens 'Monrue Green Tower' is a columnar form, ...
What is the best climate for boxwoods?
Boxwoods typically thrive in the climate conditions in zones 6 to 8. In very hot summer weather, the shrubs will appreciate more water and shade. Zone 5 gardeners may find that stem tips die back in cold weather.
How many inches does a boxwood shrub grow?
Boxwoods are one of the slower-growing shrubs, averaging less than six inches of new growth each year. There are many varieties of boxwood, and some smaller dwarf boxwoods only grow a half-inch per year. The biggest Boxwood is also the most common; the American Boxwood, which grows an average of five to six inches annually.
How tall does American Boxwood grow?
The American Boxwood is the tallest species of this shrub, and it can grow up to 20-feet tall. It’s also the most popular type of Boxwood among consumers.
Why is my boxwood bush bronzing?
A common issue for boxwoods that can impact their growth rate is discoloration of the foliage called ‘winter bronzing.’ This occurs when the shrub is exposed to too much sun or wind.
How fast does a boxwood grow?
The fastest-growing Boxwood shrubs typically only gain five to six inches of height annually.
What zone do boxwoods grow in?
Boxwoods are slow growers when compared to other types of shrubs, and Boxwoods do best in hardiness grow zones 6-8, though, with shelter and care, these shrubs can thrive practically anywhere.
What is a boxwood shrub?
Boxwood shrubs are a common type of shrub that make great hedges, with lots of versatility and options for consumers .
How to speed up boxwood growth?
Make sure that you wait at least six weeks after the last sign of frost in your region before doing it, though. Start at the top and taper your boxwood as you trim downward for the best results.
How fast does a boxwood grow?
Fast Boxwood Growth Rate = 4-6″/year. Medium Boxwood Growth Rate = 2-3″/year. Slow Boxwood Growth Rate = .5-1″/year.
What is a boxwood shrub?
Boxwood are one of the most versatile shrubs for year-round interest in your landscape. They provide structure to both formal and informal gardens and come in so many shapes and sizes. Some are rounded, some low growing and spreading, some stand more upright and some are pyramidal in shape.
What is the difference between boxwood and volutella?
This looks similar to winter burn, as foliage will turn bronze, then red, then yellow. The difference is the boxwood will not recover with fresh growth in spring. Cankers will form on branches and bark will peel off.
What causes boxwood to turn brown?
It’s difficult to treat once its visibly present (foliage turns light green, then brown, then straw color). Root rot will weaken and eventually kill the boxwood.
What causes box blight on a plant?
in 2011. Box blight is caused by a fungus (Cylindrocladium buxicola) with heavy, sticky spores that attack the foliage. Infected leaves fall of the plant in a matter of a week or so. Stems near infected leaves will develop streaked black stem lesions or cankers.
What is the primary pest of boxwood?
The good news is that there are effective control options to manage leafminer. Learn more about leafminer here.
When does boxwood emerge?
Occurs wherever boxwood are found, usually emerging in mid-April or at the start of new growth. Leaf damage is mostly superficial and ultimately won’t kill the plant.
What is a boxwood hedge?
Boxwood, also known as Box, is a hugely popular hedge plant, thanks to its tight structure and dense foliage. It is happy in most climates and is a great plant for trying topiary – let’s find out what’s inside the box!
How tall is a box hedge?
Box has a wide range of heights from 1 to 8 feet and many varieties are fast growing, allowing for the quick creation of hedges and topiary projects. Some species tend towards ball shaped growth, whereas others are more columnlike in their general appearance.
How to grow a sage plant?
Plant them into a pot filled with a suitable rooting medium (avoid using potting compost at this early stage), having first removed the lower leaves and peeled away the bark from the bottom of the stem. You can use a rooting hormone to encourage growth.
How many varieties of boxwood hedges are there?
An evergreen shrub with densely packed lance shaped leaves, there are over 200 varieties of Boxwood hedge, although the most common varieties are hugely popular. It prefers dappled sun light, but can withstand most moderate climates, which explains its prevalence in countries like the UK and USA.
What does it mean when boxwoods change color?
If your boxwood hedge starts changing colour, it is usually an indication of a problem.
What is the problem with box caterpillars?
The Box Tree Caterpillar can be devastating to the plant and has become increasingly common in the UK. Pheromone traps and pesticides can help contain the spread of these creatures, however the dense foliage that makes box so popular for hedges also makes it difficult to truly attack these predators.
Is boxwood toxic to dogs?
Fun Facts About Boxwood. It is used in making chess pieces and woodwind instruments. The wood is very dense and will sink in water. The leaves are toxic to dogs and generally unpleasant for most other species.
How big is a boxwood tree?
It has a nice oval habit, but it is more susceptible to boxwood blight than some other varieties. Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9.
How big is a Japanese boxwood?
Size: 2 to 4 feet tall and wide. USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
What is the disease that causes brown spots on boxwood?
They're also deer-resistant, so their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. Unfortunately, many kinds of boxwoods are susceptible to an incurable fungal disease called boxwood blight. The fungus appears as brown spots on leaves until all foliage dries up and drops.
How big is a North Star boxwood?
Size: 2 to 2.5 feet tall and wide. USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
How big is a green beauty plant?
It stands up to heat, humidity, and drought better than many types. Size: 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9. Green Mound (Buxus hybrid 'Green Mound')
Can boxwoods be planted close together?
To improve your odds of keeping your landscape healthy, buy boxwoods that are more disease-resistant like the ones featured here, and don't plant them too close together so air can circulate.
How big is a Japanese boxwood?
On average, this species reaches 4 feet (1.2 m) wide and 6 feet high (1.8 m). To give the plant enough space, place it 3 feet (90 cm) from other plants (center on center).
How big can a green velvet boxwood grow?
Green Velvet. This boxwood hybrid can reach a width of 4 feet (1.2 m) at maturity. The distance at which you can plant other plants close to it is 3 feet (90 cm). For growing as a hedge, space should be reduced to 2 feet (50-60 cm). The growth rate is not too high.
How to get boxwood to grow?
Dig as large a root ball as possible. Carefully move it to a new place. Dig a hole twice the size of a boxwood root ball. Fill the hole with a mix of garden soil and compost (half to half). Place the roots in the hole without burying the trunk into the ground, even an inch.
How often should I trim green gem boxwood?
I recommend trimming the green gem boxwood at least once a year to give it a correct shape.
What to spray boxwood with after pruning?
After pruning, I recommend spraying boxwood with a fungicide and pesticide to prevent infection through fresh wounds. Choose products only from proven manufacturers.
How big is a sage tree?
On average, this species reaches 4 feet (1.2 m) wide and 6 feet high (1.8 m). To give the plant enough space, place it 3 feet (90 cm) from other plants (center on center).
Is boxwood a hedge?
It is used to make beautiful topiary figures and garden bonsai. However, it has become even more widespread as a hedge plant. Therefore, gardeners have a question about how much space this plant needs.
