While the most familiar forms are what are commonly referred to as “American” (Buxus sempervirens) and “English” (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’) boxwood, there are about 90 species and over 365 different cultivars, including Japanese and Korean varieties.

How many different varieties of boxwoods are there?

Currently, there are over 200 types of Boxwoods with just over 140 of those available commercially and an unnamed number of cultivars. The American and English Buxus varieties are two of the most prevalent species sold in landscaping, but there are many more options for the discerning gardener.

What are the different types of boxwood bushes?

  • There are four basic varieties of boxwoods:
  • American Boxwood.
  • Japanese Boxwood.
  • Small-Leaved Boxwood ~ (Buxus microphylla)
  • Japanese Boxwood ~ (Buxus microphylla var. …
  • Common or American Boxwood ~ (Buxus sempervirens)
  • Korean Boxwood ~ (Buxus sinica var.

Which boxwood is the best?

Asian boxwood The first is Japanese Boxwood, Buxus microphylla, which is usually available in dwarf forms, growing slowly to just a few feet in height. It is also known as littleleaf boxwood, and it is the most reliable form for hot areas, growing well in zones 9 and 10, although it is also hardy to zone 6.

What is the most hardy boxwood?

Littleleaf box (Buxus micro- phylla) and its botanical variety, the Japanese box (Buxus microphylla var. sinica var. insularis are considered the hardiest of all boxwood.

What is the difference between English boxwood and Japanese boxwood?

English boxwood, Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’, is a dwarf boxwood and is technically a form of American boxwood. It is a dense variety with more oval leaves. Japanese boxwoods, Buxus microphylla japonica, are very adaptable.

How do I identify boxwoods?

Most boxwood shrubs are characterized by having small, oval, or lanceolate leathery green leaves. Leaf shape and color are also ways to identify specific boxwood cultivars apart. For example, Japanese boxwoods have tiny oval leaves, whereas American boxwood has leathery lanceolate leaves measuring 1.5” (4 cm) long.

Are there dwarf boxwoods?

The dwarf English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens “Suffruticosa”), an evergreen shrub, gets to around 3 feet tall. … This shrub grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones of 6 through 8 in sandy loam. Boxwoods grow slowly and are useful in landscaping and gardens as accent pieces.

Which boxwoods grow the fastest?

American boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) tends to be larger and grows faster than English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’).

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.

Article first time published on

What boxwoods do well in shade?

Certain varieties will tolerate heavy shade. For example, “Green Mountain” — a hybrid that grows 3 to 5 feet tall and is hardy in U.S.D.A plant hardiness zones 5 through 9 — can tolerate nearly full shade.

How far apart do you plant boxwoods?

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. Use a tape measure and string or spray paint to mark the line of your hedge.

What is the smallest boxwood variety?

Small-Leaved Boxwood The ‘Compacta’ cultivar, also sometimes called ‘Kingsville Dwarf,’ is the smallest boxwood variety. It grows very slowly, adding about 1/2 inch in height each year, and reaches a mature height of about a foot. Its leaves, at 1/2 inch long, are exceptionally small, too.

What is the greenest boxwood?

Some boxwoods that are prized for retaining their green color throughout most winters are ‘Wintergreen’, ‘Green Velvet’, ‘Green Mountain’, and ‘Glencoe’.

Which boxwoods are round?

Some boxwoods form a naturally rounded shape and require little pruning. These include the “Green Mountain” Boxwood (Buxus x “Green Mountain”) and the “Green Velvet” Boxwood (Buxus “Green Velvet”). The “Green Mountain” boxwood thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9.

Does boxwood smell like cat pee?

Some people are reporting that their boxwood has a bad odor. More specifically, people complain about boxwood bushes that smell like cat urine. The English boxwood seems to be the main culprit. To be fair, the odor has also been described as resinous, and a resinous scent certainly isn’t a bad thing.

What's the difference between wintergreen boxwood and Japanese boxwood?

All parts of the wintergreen plant are poisonous, except for the ripe berries. Japanese boxwood’s leaves also are leathery but are larger, more rounded ovals. During winter, the leaves tend to blush bronze, especially in cold temperatures and full sun exposures. Contact with boxwood sap may irritate the skin.

Why are my Japanese boxwoods turning yellow?

Boxwoods are prone to root rot during high temperatures if the soil moisture stays high for an extended period. … There is nothing you can do about rain, but you should only water the plants if the soil starts to dry out. The plants that have turned yellow may not survive.

What is the fastest growing privacy hedge?

The Leylandii is a conifer that’s the fastest-growing, evergreen hedge and will create one quickly. If it is pruned every year, Leylandii will create a formal dark-green evergreen screen or box-shaped hedge, similar to a Yew hedge.

How do you stimulate boxwood growth?

Prune variegated boxwood about six weeks before the last frost in your area to encourage vigorous lateral growth. Boxwood grows slowly, but annual trimming keeps it thick. Cut the lead tip of each branch back to a lateral branch or bud facing outward to encourage shrubby growth.

How do you keep boxwoods small?

Clip miniature boxwoods in the spring of the second growing season, removing branch tips. Shape the boxwood hedge so the bottom of the hedge is slightly wider than the top of the hedge to ensure lower leaves are not shaded out and the plant remains dense throughout.

How big are dwarf boxwoods?

Dwarf English Boxwoods are slow-growing and reach up to three feet in height, so you can tuck them in a tight spot with little fear of them becoming overgrown. This allows them to maintain their shape and beauty for long periods of time without maintenance or clipping.

What is an American boxwood?

American boxwood is a classic, large-growing upright rounded boxwood. In an ideal environment, the plant will continue to grow for 75 to 150 years and develop into a massive shrub (sometimes as large as 15 ft. tall and wide or more). … Be especially careful to plant this cultivar in areas with good drainage.

Why do boxwood leaves turn yellow?

Root Rot. Sometimes the root systems of boxwood shrubs get infected with fungal pathogens like Phytophthora. When root rot becomes serious, it’ll manifest as yellowing leaves that curl inward and turn up, and the plant will grow poorly.

How long do boxwood shrubs live?

Common Boxwood Lifespan: 20-30 Years.

Why did my boxwood turn brown after trimming?

Other Evergreens For other evergreen shrubs, such as American boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8, it’s unusual for trimming to cause leaves to turn brown. … If recently pruned, a late frost can cause damage to the ends of the shrub’s branches.

Are boxwood roots invasive?

Boxwood roots are shallow and invasive. Because they compete vigorously with neighboring plants for the nutrition in the soil, do not plant ground cover plants nearby.

What can I plant behind boxwoods?

Good companion plants with textural contract include thyme, hosta, lady’s mantle, lirope, germander, rosemary or sage. Combine boxwood with low-growing shrubs with yellow or dark-colored foliage. This will add both color and texture. If the shrubs flower or produce berries, that creates even more interest.

How do I plant boxwoods in front of my house?

Place a potted boxwood on either side of the front door for a welcoming entrance display that takes far less effort to maintain than seasonal annuals. Plant the boxwoods in a well-drained potting mix and keep the soil moist but not too damp.

What is a sprinter boxwood?

The Sprinter boxwood is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that requires little care. It provides year-round color and can be used as a low hedge or along garden beds. It features glossy, green leaves and is cold tolerant.

What is the softest boxwood?

‘Suffruticosa’ (English) is known for its soft, billowy outline and lush foliage. English boxwood is often referred to as “dwarf boxwood” due to its slow growth rate.