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Monday, February 17, 2025

Find out how to Develop and Take care of Boxwood Shrubs


Buxus spp.

If you happen to’re in search of a plant that’s terrific for topiaries, nice for hedges, and even enticing when left untrimmed, the boxwood shrub is ideal for you.

An extended-time favourite of Southern gardeners, boxwoods have been grown within the States for hundreds of years.

The truth is, you’ll discover many of those shrubs rising on historic estates, together with Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina, a Nationwide Historic Landmark and residential to the oldest landscaped gardens within the US.

A vertical image of a garden scene with large boxwood shrubs pruned into rounded shapes, pictured in bright sunshine. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

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What many individuals don’t notice, although, is that there are a number of kinds of boxwood you may develop – a lot of that are cold-hardy and might be cultivated by northern gardeners, too.

With 97 species within the Buxus genus and over 260 cultivars to this point, in keeping with the American Boxwood Society, there are, after all, sure varieties which might be extra well-liked than others in terms of landscaping.

Whereas many of those are solely hardy to Zone 6, some can survive in temperatures as chilly as -35°F (that’s Zone 3, people!).

A horizontal image of a variety of shrubs growing in the garden under a large tree pictured in light sunshine.

Whether or not you’ve been pushing aside planting boxwood shrubs since you assume your rising zone is just too chilly or since you assume these vegetation are too troublesome for a novice gardener to take care of, it’s time to provide them a re-examination.

Hold studying to discover ways to develop this lovely shrub with attractive year-round attraction.

What Is the Boxwood Shrub?

Boxwood is a plant that’s utilized in conventional landscaping designs all around the world.

A horizontal image of a number of different Buxus shrubs available in a variety of shapes and sizes at a plant nursery, pictured in filtered evening sunshine.

It usually grows to a mature peak of 10 to fifteen toes, relying on the species and cultivar.

However since it’s so simply pruned, it may be grown as both a small tree or a wide-spreading shrub. It produces dense, evergreen foliage with leaves which might be sometimes darkish inexperienced on high and a yellow-green beneath.

There are a number of species which might be well-liked amongst gardeners, together with the widespread or American boxwood (B. sempervirens), of which the English kind is a variant, and the littleleaf or Japanese boxwood (B. microphylla), of which the Korean kind is a variant.

As their widespread names counsel, B. sempervirens is what you will note rising mostly within the US, whereas B. microphylla has notably smaller leaves and a smaller stature to match, usually solely reaching a mature measurement of 4 toes by 4 toes.

This makes cultivars of B. microphylla a great possibility for gardeners with restricted house. We’ll cowl a couple of prompt styles of each species within the cultivars part under.

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of the boxwood shrub, growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

Each species develop slowly, including fewer than 12 inches of progress annually. Whereas Japanese boxwood tends to be extra heat-tolerant, American boxwood is usually higher for northern growers who reside in areas with chilly winters.

Curious concerning the time period “boxwood?” The rationale for this moniker is sort of easy: The wooden from these shrubs is well-suited for carving and woodturning.

It’s usually used for initiatives like making chess items, musical devices, rulers, and different small specialty gadgets. Fairly actually, the identify of the genus – Buxus – merely means “field” in Latin.

Boxwood shrubs produce small yellow-green flowers within the spring, however these will not be normally noticeable.

Additionally they produce tiny fruits that include small seeds. Whereas these are enticing to birds, they aren’t a significant draw for many gardeners.

As an alternative, these shrubs are typically grown for his or her shiny inexperienced foliage, which stays evergreen all year long.

Cultivation and Historical past

Boxwoods are native to western and southern Europe, and parts of Asia, Africa, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

A horizontal image of boxwood shrubs pruned into perfect spheres growing in the garden pictured in light filtered sunshine.

As acknowledged above, although different species are grown in gardens in different components of the world, it’s B. microphylla and B. sempervirens which might be mostly cultivated in america, as they don’t require tropical rising situations to flourish.

These vegetation have a protracted historical past in cultivation. Historical Egyptians planted boxwoods of their gardens and trimmed them down into formal hedges way back to 4000 BC.

And members of different cultures used the wooden for making musical devices, rulers, and different small objects for which bigger kinds of shrubs and bushes weren’t applicable.

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of a boxwood shrub growing in the garden.

B. microphylla has been cultivated in Japan because the 1400s. Believed to be the results of hybridizing different species within the backyard, it’s unclear which particular species might have been used.

B. sempervirens was first launched into the US within the 1600s, after being introduced by Anglo-Dutch retailers from Amsterdam to Lengthy Island, New York.

Boxwood is exclusive in that it’s an evergreen species that can be utilized in drugs, with historic use in treating rheumatism, epilepsy, toothaches, and fevers, notably in its native vary in Asia and the Americas.

Interested by methods to develop these shrubs in your yard? Hold studying to be taught extra.

Propagation

There are 3 ways you may develop a boxwood shrub: from seed, from a chopping, or from a began transplant. We’ll cowl all three strategies under.

Whereas it’s actually attainable to begin from seed, a transplant is by far the simplest avenue for a novice gardener.

Rising these shrubs from seed will take a while, as does rooting a chopping – however each are enjoyable initiatives if you happen to’re prepared to provide them a strive!

From Seed

First, you will have to buy a soilless combine to germinate your seeds. Crops grown from seed are usually much less uniform than these grown from cuttings, and also you’ll must first cold-stratify the seed.

This includes exposing the seeds to 1 to 2 months of chilly temperatures.

You are able to do this through the use of a little bit of sandpaper to scratch the coating of the seeds. Soak them in a single day in heat water, then drain the seeds and place them in a plastic bag crammed with damp peat moss.

Refrigerate them for about 4 to eight weeks at 33 to 41°F, relying on the species, and ensure they neither dry out fully nor develop into waterlogged.

As soon as they’ve been cold-stratified, you may plant them about one-sixteenth of an inch deep in a big seed-starting flat crammed with moist seed-starting combination. They need to be planted about three inches aside.

Cowl the container with plastic wrap to provide a greenhouse impact, and maintain the soil moist by spraying the floor with a twig bottle a couple of occasions a day.

Boxwood seeds take a very long time to germinate, as much as six months in some instances.

If you happen to begin them indoors in direction of the tip of spring, or in a heat location like underneath a chilly body or in a greenhouse, plan to take care of them there by way of their first winter.

They will then be planted out within the late spring the next yr.

When the seedlings seem, you may take away the plastic wrap and place them underneath develop lights.

You may as well put the seedlings subsequent to a sunny window, however a develop gentle will present extra constant gentle and assist forestall them from turning into “leggy” as they attain for the sunshine.

Water day by day, holding the soil moist however not sodden.

When the seedlings are about 4 inches tall, you may skinny them out and transplant the strongest ones into particular person pots which might be roughly six inches wider than the foundation ball of every plant.

From Cuttings

Many individuals select to develop their boxwood shrubs from cuttings. Although not so simple as planting seedlings or small shrubs from the nursery, it’s nonetheless a neater possibility than beginning your vegetation from seed.

A close up horizontal image of a hand from the left of the frame holding a stem cutting taken from a boxwood shrub for propagation.

To do that, first you will have to acquire a chopping. Typically, the perfect time to do that is someday within the late summer time to early fall.

Wait till after spring progress has hardened up, then select a wholesome, sturdy department with no indicators of illness.

Take a chopping that’s roughly 4 to 6 inches lengthy. Strip the leaves from the underside half of the stem, then dip half an inch into powdered rooting hormone.

Place your cuttings about two inches deep in a potting combination of equal components compost and sand. Use a pencil or stick to maintain the plant upright and secure.

The container you utilize ought to be not less than 4 to 6 inches large and equally deep.

Then, put your chopping in an space that’s heat and receives loads of daylight. Hold the soil moist, and mist the foliage with a twig bottle a few times a day to maintain it hydrated.

After 4 weeks, verify to see in case your cuttings have fashioned roots. You possibly can decide this in a number of methods. Normally, if the chopping hasn’t wilted and died by this level, there’s a great probability that roots are current.

You’ll know the roots are sturdy if you happen to can evenly tug on the chopping and it sticks. If it stays firmly caught within the soil, you’ve roots.

If that’s the case, you may transplant them into bigger containers about two weeks later. You possibly can transplant outdoor within the spring.

From Seedlings or Transplanting

In fact, the simplest manner by far to develop a boxwood shrub is to plant a seedling or nursery transplant.

A close up horizontal image of a small boxwood shrub that has been planted in the garden with foliage in soft focus in the background.

Boxwood shrubs might be grown in nearly any gentle situation, tolerating heavy shade to full daylight. A mix of the 2 is greatest, ideally in a location that gives dappled daylight or gentle shade with a couple of hours of morning or early afternoon solar.

Crops which might be grown in full shade are usually much less vigorous, whereas these grown in full solar are inclined to leaf scorch.

Dig a gap that’s as deep as the foundation ball and twice as large, utilizing the container the transplant got here in as a information.

Take away the plant from its container and gently loosen its roots. Then, place it within the gap till you may see about two inches of the foundation ball above floor degree.

Boxwoods root shallowly and shouldn’t be planted too deeply – the highest eighth of the foundation ball must be set above the soil degree.

After planting, water completely, as this can assist your plant set sturdy roots. Add two to a few inches of natural mulch, which can assist maintain the roots cool and to preserve water.

Find out how to Develop

Plant your boxwood in well-draining soil. Earlier than planting, conduct a soil check to verify your soil is generally impartial, with a pH between 6.5 and seven.5.

A close up horizontal image of a boxwood hedge pictured in light sunshine on a soft focus background.

You possibly can add compost or different amendments as indicated by your soil check earlier than planting, if obligatory.

Water completely and continuously if you happen to obtain lower than one inch of rainfall per week. You possibly can decide the quantity of precipitation your backyard has acquired with a rain gauge.

A close up horizontal image of boxwood shrubs growing in the garden pictured in light sunshine on a soft focus background.

Fertilizing will not be at all times obligatory for these vegetation, but when a soil check determines that your soil is poor in sure vitamins, you might need to begin an everyday fertilization schedule.

Boxwood vegetation, recognized for his or her foliage, are additionally liable to nitrogen deficiency. If that’s the case, you’ll discover that your vegetation’ decrease leaves have begun to yellow or fall prematurely from the shrub.

You possibly can apply a liquid all-purpose 12-5-9 (NPK) fertilizer within the early spring, making use of it liberally across the base of the plant.

Rising Ideas

  • Develop in moist, well-draining, loamy soil
  • Apply one to 2 inches of mulch
  • Skinny vegetation frequently to enhance air circulation

Pruning and Upkeep

These shrubs ought to be pruned to encourage department growth and to keep up a desired form.

The most effective time to prune is in early winter. Prune solely small quantities, chopping off not more than a 3rd of the plant at one time.

A close up horizontal image of a gardener from the right of the frame using large pruning shears to trim a shrub in the garden.

If extra widespread pruning is required – for instance, in case your plant is affected by a illness – you must begin by chopping massive branches on only one facet of the plant after which taking the opposite half the next yr.

It will forestall you from overstressing the plant when it’s already making an attempt to get better from one other occasion or situation.

You may as well skinny your boxwood shrubs to enhance airflow. This ought to be carried out yearly, any time when temperatures are above freezing.

You possibly can learn extra about pruning boxwood shrubs right here.

A close up horizontal image of a gardener pruning a bush in the garden, pictured in light filtered sunshine on a soft focus background.

Mulching is a good suggestion for many vegetation. Including about one to 2 inches of natural mulch, like pine needles, composted leaves, or pine bark, out to the drip line will assist maintain the soil moist and fertile.

Simply keep away from pushing mulch in opposition to the stems, which might result in rot.

Species and Cultivars to Choose

When purchasing for boxwood species and cultivars to develop, keep in mind that your rising zone will play the most important position in your choice.

A close up horizontal image of a shrub pruned into the shape of a snail growing in the garden, pictured in light sunshine.

Listed below are the highest two hottest species, with corresponding beneficial variants the place relevant, and cultivars to decide on as properly:

Frequent

The American boxwood, B. sempervirens, is the commonest species present in america. The truth is, it’s usually referred to easily as widespread boxwood.

Usually utilized in hedges, it may develop as much as 5 toes tall and 4 toes large, giving it a considerably squat look when left untrimmed.

Nevertheless, it may be formed with gentle trimming in the course of the winter interval when it’s dormant.

One particular cultivar, ‘Suffruticosa,’ or English boxwood as it’s generally recognized, was first grown in america within the 1700s.

A close up square image of Buxus sempervirens 'Suffrictosa' growing in the garden with trees in soft focus in the background.

‘Suffruticosa’

It may possibly attain a mature peak of three toes and grows so slowly that it not often requires pruning, solely placing on about an inch of progress annually.

With a cloud-like behavior, this kind is hardy in Zones 5 to eight.

Dwarf English boxwood vegetation in #1 containers are out there from Nature Hills Nursery.

‘Calgary’ is one other good possibility with a compact behavior. And it may stand up to freezing temperatures in addition to summertime warmth and humidity, in Zones 3 to 9.

A close up square image of the foliage of Buxus sempervirens 'Calgary' growing in the garden.

‘Calgary’

Discover vegetation in #3 containers at Nature Hills Nursery.

Littleleaf

With a smaller total stature in addition to smaller leaves than the widespread species, you’ll see a couple of variants of this kind, and breeders might select to write down these on plant labels in quite a lot of methods.

B. microphylla var. koreana, aka Korean boxwood, is a littleleaf selection that’s suited to Zones 4 to 9, making it a great possibility for northern growers.

It has a dense type and reaches round two to a few toes tall and 4 to 6 toes large at maturity, with yellowish-green foliage.

Unsure which cultivated kind to decide on? Look no additional than ‘Wintergreen.’

A close up square image of a Buxus microphylla var koreana 'Wintergreen' pruned into a hedge.

‘Wintergreen’

This dwarf cultivar is extremely versatile: It may be sheared into exact shapes, it’s a well-liked alternative for foundations and formal gardens.

You could find ‘Wintergreen’ vegetation in quart-sized, one-, three-, and seven-gallon containers out there from Quick Rising Bushes.

An in depth relative of the Korean selection (and a member of the identical species), Japanese boxwood is one other well-liked kind.

There are a couple of completely different cultivars of B. microphylla var. japonica out there to residence gardeners, however ‘Winter Gem’ is without doubt one of the hottest.

It serves as a smaller various to English boxwood and grows in a compact vogue, normally solely reaching two to a few toes tall at maturity.

A close up square image of small Buxus 'Winter Gem' shrubs planted beside a walkway, pictured in light sunshine.

‘Winter Gem’

Hardy in Zones 5 to 9, this selection has deep inexperienced foliage, and it may tolerate heavy pruning.

You could find vegetation out there in #1 and #3 containers from Nature Hills Nursery.

Managing Pests and Illness

Boxwood is a simple plant to develop, with only a few pests or illness points to fret about. Most might be prevented with fundamental care.

Bugs

There are a number of insect pests which might be recognized to plague boxwood shrubs, a lot of that are unique to this sort of plant alone.

Leafminers

The boxwood leafminer (Monarthropalpus flavus) is essentially the most harmful pest that will threaten the well being of this plant. It may possibly trigger severe harm, resulting in blistered, discolored foliage.

Technically a small fly, this pest might be managed by planting resistant varieties, together with most Japanese sorts, or utilizing an insecticide.

Learn extra about about controlling leafminers right here.

Mites

Eurytetranychus buxi is technically a spider mite. It feeds on the underside of leaves and causes yellow and white spots.

It normally assaults B. sempervirens, with littleleaf sorts usually being much less inclined. Watch out about utilizing an excessive amount of high-nitrogen fertilizer, as this may enhance the frequency of mite infestations.

In the event that they do seem, do away with them with a harsh blast from the hose or use horticultural oil.

Psyllids

Cacopsylla buxi, typically known as Psylla buxi, is much less severe than the 2 aforementioned bugs, however it may trigger beauty harm to your plant – like poor twig progress and leaf cupping.

It tends to assault American boxwoods most frequently, wreaking havoc within the spring after overwintering within the soil earlier within the yr. You will want to make use of pesticides to do away with it.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs, quite a lot of species within the Pseudococcidae household, are difficult to manage with pesticides, however you may do away with them with insecticidal cleaning soap, or a forceful blast from the hose.

Not solely can they weaken your boxwood vegetation by draining them of their vitality reserves as they eat, mealybugs additionally excrete honeydew, a substance that pulls ants, and may result in sooty mould.

Be taught extra about controlling mealybugs right here.

Parasitic Nematodes

There are a number of sorts of nematodes that may go after boxwood vegetation, and these pests may cause stunted progress.

To stop them from impacting the well being of your vegetation, develop resistant varieties like B. sempervirens and be according to care by watering, mulching, and fertilizing frequently.

Scale

Varied species of scale, a sucking insect within the Coccoidea household, that may trigger unattractive leaf scarring might infest your boxwood shrubs.

The pests appear like tiny white bumps, and once you take away them out of your vegetation, you’ll discover inexperienced scars that can’t be eliminated of their place.

Thankfully, this pest doesn’t normally kill vegetation or trigger long run results past surface-level beauty harm. In case your vegetation endure from an infestation, you may prune away areas which were affected.

Discover extra info on controlling scale bugs right here.

Illness

Most ailments of vegetation within the Buxus genus can be prevented and addressed by following good watering and backyard hygiene practices.

Listed below are a number of the most typical culprits:

Blight

Boxwood blight is attributable to the fungal pathogens Neonectria pseudonaviculatum and Cylindrocladium pseudonavitulatum.

The fungi trigger the leaves on the decrease a part of the shrub to develop brown spots and twigs to type lesions.

Blight can kill younger vegetation, with littleleaf boxwoods being essentially the most inclined.

You possibly can restrict the unfold of this illness by cleansing all your gardening instruments completely and destroying affected plant components.

Ensure your vegetation are thinned and spaced correctly for good airflow, and use a fungicide when obligatory.

Leaf Burn

Leaf burn causes the leaves of your boxwood to show purple or yellow and fall prematurely. This physiological dysfunction is attributable to water stress and low temperatures.

Plant your shrubs in an space that is protected against wind and ensure they’re watered properly throughout dry spells.

Leaf Spot

Leaf spot causes leaves to show yellow and develop into speckled with black.

A fungal illness attributable to Macrophoma candollei, it may be prevented by defending your vegetation from wind and salt spray.

Finest Makes use of

When you may use a boxwood shrub as a specimen plant, it’s greatest used when grouped collectively in a basis planting or in a hedge.

A close up horizontal image of boxwood shrubs growing in the garden, pruned into circular shapes.

You may even think about using them as topiary, bonsai, or knot-garden vegetation.

A close up horizontal image of a holiday wreath set on a wooden surface.

You possibly can even minimize your boxwood to be used in vacation preparations like wreaths, kissing balls, garlands, and extra.

Fast Reference Rising Information

Plant Sort: Woody shrub Foliage Colour: Inexperienced, yellow-green
Native to: Asia, Europe Upkeep: Low
Hardiness (USDA Zone): 4-9 Soil Sort: Common to organically wealthy
Season: Spring, summer time Soil pH: 6.5-7.5
Publicity: Full solar to partial shade Soil Drainage: Properly-draining
Spacing: 2-3 toes (much less for a hedge) Attracts: Bees, birds
Progress Fee: 12 inches per yr Companion Planting: Hosta, rosemary, thyme
Top: 5-15 toes Makes use of: Basis plantings, hedges, topiaries, minimize vacation preparations
Unfold: 5-15 toes Order: Buxales
Tolerance: Barely acidic soil, shade Household: Buxaceae
Water Wants: Average Genus: Buxus
Pests & Illnesses: Boxwood leafminer, mite, psyllid, mealybugs, parasitic nematodes, scale; blight, leaf burn, leaf spot Species: microphylla, sempervirens

Hedge Your Bets with Boxwood

If you happen to’re in search of a decorative shrub that may be grown as a small tree, a border, or sure – to type a hedge! – contemplate rising boxwood.

This plant is hardy, simple to develop, and offers backyard curiosity in all seasons.

Close up of the leaves of a boxwood Buxus Sempervirens shrub.

Have you ever ever grown boxwood shrubs earlier than? Do you develop them as hedges, topiaries, or in another vogue? Tell us within the feedback part under, and be happy to ask any questions you’ve about rising these elegant shrubs.

A very good gardener by no means stops studying – you’ve acquired to maintain engaged on that inexperienced thumb!

If you wish to learn extra about rising decorative shrubs within the backyard, take a peek at these useful guides subsequent:

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