What are the best boxwoods?

microphylla var. japonica), another great choice for formal hedges. Most Japanese boxwoods are hardy in partial sun in zones 6 through 9. Japanese boxwood has a good growth rate. Wintergreen boxwood can take partial to full sun and grows in zones 4 through 9 and grows more quickly than many classic English boxwoods.

Consequently, what is the best boxwood to plant?

If you want a small, compact, low-growing shrub to form a hedge that serves as an accent or border along your walkway, fence line or planting beds, dwarf boxwood varieties are the best pick. The "Dwarf English" boxwood (Buxus sempervirens “Suffruticosa”) creates a border hedge approximately 1 to 2 feet in height.

Also, how do I know what kind of boxwood I have? Common boxwood can be easily separated from littleleaf boxwood by differences in the leaf tip, leaf color (leaves on common boxwood are typically a darker green; new growth has a distinctive flat bluish/waxy green color), and plant size (common is often 15' tall by the same in spread).

In respect to this, what is the most hardy boxwood?

insularis are considered the hardiest of all boxwood. Buxus semper. virens, common box, is hardy to zone 6 (Krussmann 1984) and has a greater stature than the preceding species. The large, dark green leaves remain evergreen all year.

Do boxwoods like sun or shade?

They prefer well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline. Mulchwith an inch or so of chopped leaves to help keep soil cool (but don't heap mulch against the stems). Once established, boxwood shrubs are very drought-tolerant. Most cultivars will grow in full sun to a half day of shade.

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How far apart should you plant boxwoods?

Plant boxwoods in fall so the shrubs can produce new roots over the winter. Planting holes for boxwood hedges should be two to three feet apart, and each hole should be as deep as and twice as wide as the root ball.

What is the best time to plant boxwoods?

The ideal time to plant boxwoods is during the late fall, late winter or the early part of the spring. Avoid planting at times of the year when temperatures are at their most extreme. This gives the boxwood time to become established before winter temperatures drop and spring temperatures rise.

Why are the leaves on my boxwood turning yellow?

Nematodes. Parasitic nematodes steal nutrients from boxwood plants by attacking the roots, causing the plant to turn yellow or brown. Healthy plants that are well watered and fertilized are more likely to tolerate some damage from nematodes than plants that are stressed due to drought or poor soil drainage.

When should you fertilize boxwoods?

Fertilizing in late summer, before cool fall temperatures, can harm the plant by forcing new leaf growth just before winter cold and dormancy. Slow-release, balanced fertilizers are best for boxwood, and a granular form of urea fertilizer 10-6-4 is recommended.

How many boxwoods do I need?

If the intention is to grow a small and formal hedge, plant the boxwoods 6 to 8 inches apart. If using the larger-growing varieties that have taller mature heights, space the plants 18 to 30 inches apart, as recommended by the Purdue Cooperative Extension.

How do you take care of boxwoods?

Water deeply, as frequent, shallow irrigation will not reach the root zone of the growing boxwood. Until established, after about two years, boxwoods will need at least weekly watering. When planting boxwood, locate them in an area that is protected from winter wind to avoid a condition called winter bronzing.

Where do boxwoods grow best?

Most boxwood prefer to grow in part shade, such as the dappled light shining through overhanging foliage or a few hours of direct sunlight in the morning or afternoon. Certain varieties will tolerate heavy shade.

How large do boxwood shrubs get?

Tallest Boxwoods

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.

What are the smallest boxwoods?

Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'

A small, rounded evergreen shrub that forms tufts of growth resembling a cloud if left unpruned. The slow growing, dwarf form is ideal for edging and borders along pathways or around flower beds.

How do you bring a boxwood back to life?

Whether or not a dry boxwood can be saved depends on the reason it is dry.

Water the boxwood just enough to keep the soil moist.
Add a 1-inch layer of mulch over the root zone of the shrub to help retain soil moisture.
Prune out any dead or diseased branches with shears, cutting back to just outside a set of leaves.

Is Boxwood poisonous to dogs?

The entire tree is poisonous, both orally and topically, so it is best not to have them anywhere your dog will be. The Boxwood Tree is from the Buxaceae plant family, and contains alkaloids, which are toxic to dogs. While the entire plant is toxic, the leaves are especially poisonous to dogs and other small animals.

How big do Green Mountain boxwoods get?

'Green Mountain' is a dense, upright, evergreen boxwood that typically grows to 2-3' tall over the first 10 years. This is a slow-growing hybrid shrub that may eventually mature to as much as 5-7' tall.

How big do green gem boxwoods get?

about 2' x 2'

Why are my boxwoods turning brown?

It is called boxwood blight. Caused by the fungus Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum, boxwood blight results in discolored foliage and streaked stems. The discoloration begins as brown spots in a circular pattern on leaves and branches. This disease won't kill the plant but it leaves it leafless.

Is Boxwood a hardwood?

Boxwood. Boxwood, hard, heavy, fine-grained wood, usually white or light yellow, that is obtained from the common box (Buxus sempervirens) and other small trees of the genus Buxus.

Do boxwoods smell?

Yes, boxwoods do have a scent; it's caused when the sun heats the oil in their leaves. I particularly love the smell -- it reminds me of happy hours spent in wonderful European gardens, surrounded by brilliant flowers, the hum of bees and the redolence of boxwood.

What is the difference between English boxwood and Japanese boxwood?

The Japanese Boxwood is a compact and dense shrub that will grow to about eight feet tall and spread about six feet. The Common Boxwood also has dense growth, but can grow into a small tree, and can be up to 30 feet tall.