How to Grow and Care for Boxwood (Box) Shrubs

The Buxus genus includes about 70 species of slow-growing broadleaf evergreens with small, rounded, and leathery leaves. 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 dwarf varieties, such as B. sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’, a popular plant for hedges and topiaries. Another dwarf variety is the Korean (Buxus sinica var. insularis). It reaches a mature height of just 2 feet tall (with a slightly greater spread). These dwarf boxwood shrubs are prized for their densely packed, light-green leaves and a rounded, compact growth habit.

Boxwood is toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

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
Sun Exposure	Full, partial
Soil Type	Loamy
Soil pH	Neutral, alkaline
Bloom Time	Spring
Flower Color	Green, yellow
Hardiness Zones	5-9 (USDA)
Native Area	Europe, Asia
Toxicity	Toxic to pets

Boxwood Shrub Care

Boxwoods are best planted in loamy soil in a full-sun to part-shade location, preferably in an area somewhat sheltered from winds. Their roots are shallow, so the soil must be protected from the heat. Maintain a layer of organic garden mulch, 3 inches thick, around each plant. Start mulching 2 inches out from the trunk—as a general rule, it is bad to mulch right up against the trunk of a bush or tree, because it invites pests and diseases—and work your way about one foot outwards, around the whole circumference, space permitting.

When grown as a hedge or formal screen, the primary maintenance for the shrubs will be in regular pruning, though this will not be necessary if you are using them as specimen plantings.

Light

Boxwoods will take full sun to partial shade, but planting them in an area bathed in dappled shade for the hottest part of the afternoon is preferable. When sheltered by trees, the roots of dwarf boxwoods will profit from the cooler soil temperatures.

Soil

Boxwood shrubs require well-drained soils, or they will suffer from root rot. Although they may tolerate soils with a lower pH, they prefer a soil pH in the 6.8 to 7.5 range.

Water

For the first two years, boxwoods require deep weekly watering. Avoid shallow watering, since moisture will not reach the deepest roots. Mature plants will thrive with a deep watering every 2 to 4 weeks.

Temperature and Humidity

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.

Fertilizer

Fertilize with an all-purpose fertilizer in spring prior to the emergence of new growth. For the amount, follow the product label instructions.

Types of Boxwood Shrubs

There are many kinds of boxwoods, and the best plant for you depends on your particular landscaping needs.

• Buxus sempervirons ‘Suffruticosa’ cultivars are favored in gardens because they grow more slowly. 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, 9 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet in spread. It is great for a tall screen or for topiary use. 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. 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. The cultivar’s name comes from the pleasing gold and bronze tinges of its foliage in winter.
• B. microphylla japonica ‘Golden Triumph’ is 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide; it is valued for its variegated leaves.

Pruning

Although they are known for their tolerance for hard pruning, most boxwoods will form a nice informal shape without much pruning at all. Only occasional pruning is required to clean out dead branches or those that are twisted together.

When pruning hard for shape, the trimming can be done almost any time during the growing season, though it should be avoided in late fall to avoid winter bronzing.

Propagating Boxwood Shrubs

Boxwood is best propagated by rooting from stem cuttings in midsummer. Here’s how to do it:

1. With clean pruning shears, cut 3- to 4-inch lengths of stem tips from new growth. Remove the lower leaves and scrape the bark from one side of the cutting.
2. Bury the ends of the cuttings in a pot filled with a mixture of sand, peat moss, and vermiculite. Moisten the potting medium, place the pot in a sealed plastic bag, and set it in a bright location.
3. Check the moisture daily, and mist whenever the cutting is dry. Check for roots every few days by tugging on the cutting.
4. When the roots are sufficiently developed, remove the pot from the plastic bag and transplant the cutting into another container filled with a rich potting mix.
5. Continue to grow the plant in a sunny window until outdoor planting time the following spring.

How to Grow Boxwood Shrubs From Seed

Growing a boxwood shrub from seed takes time but is often successful. Start with 2-inch pots filled with organic potting soil. Make sure the pots have good drainage holes; the addition of a small amount of gravel in the bottom can help ensure better drainage.

Place seeds in wet paper towels and place those paper towels in the refrigerator for one month. Make sure the paper towels stay damp. After the month is up, move the paper towels and seeds to a much warmer place of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the paper towels damp and expect germination from your seeds in about one month.

Once the seeds sprout, plant them with the sprout side down in the pots, one seed per pot. Cover the pot with plastic wrap and place it in a sunny spot. Keep the soil moist. When a green shoot appears above the soil, remove the plastic wrap. Care for them in their pots until they become too big for the pot, at which point they are ready to be hardened off and transplanted outside.

Potting and Repotting Boxwood

If you choose to grow boxwood in a container, opt for a container that is as wide as the boxwood is high. For example, if you have a 12-inch-tall boxwood, you need a 12-inch diameter pot. When it outgrows its current container, transplant it into one only a few inches bigger, keep the soil moist, and watch the plant for signs that it’s struggling—your soil might need to be amended.

Overwintering

In the northern part of the hardiness range, new growth is susceptible to winter damage. Protect the boxwoods with a burlap wrapping or similar protection during the first several years.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Leafminer, boxwood mite, and boxwood psyllid are common pests. The damage is disfiguring but not fatal, and the pests can be treated with horticultural oils. In the deep South, nematodes are of concern. Boxwoods can be susceptible to fungal blights and leaf spot, and root rot can also be a problem in poorly drained soils.

Common Problems for Boxwood Shrubs

A common problem for boxwood 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—and even actually value—the winter bronzing on the foliage.

• Can boxwoods grow indoors?

  Dwarf boxwoods respond well to pruning, which makes them popular as bonsai plants. Wall germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) is used in a similar way. The important thing is to ensure that the plant receives good sunlight exposure indoors.

• What makes boxwoods so special?

  Boxwoods have historic significance. Common box is an ancient shrub and was used for carving ornaments, musical instruments, furniture, and inlay. The first extensive use of boxwoods in the United States occurred in a garden in 1653, giving it the nickname, “Man’s Oldest Garden Ornament.”

• Why does my boxwood smell weird?

  Though boxwoods don’t have prominent flowers, the ones they do have can sometimes emit an odor that gardeners find off-putting. If this really matters to you, ask your local nursery for varieties that have a milder scent.