How to Grow Boxwood Shrubs: 7 Boxwood Care Tips

There are around 70 species of boxwood shrubs that comprise the Buxus genus. Boxwoods are evergreen shrubs that are popularly used as low hedge plants, though some can be grown or pruned into trees. They have small, shiny green leaves that have an oblong shape.

Depending on the species and growing conditions, boxwoods can grow anywhere from one foot to 30 feet tall, with a spread of around eight feet. However, most boxwood shrubs that are used for landscaping are smaller varieties, growing about two to three feet tall. Boxwoods are toxic to humans and animals and should not be ingested.

Box shrubs belong to the buxaceae family, which consists of many other types of boxwood plants. Here are some common types of boxwood shrubs.

1. 1. Common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens): The common boxwood (also known as the common box or American boxwood) can grow up to 30 feet tall, and is often used (along with the Japanese boxwood) as a cultivar of many garden varieties of boxes.
2. 2. English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens var. suffruticosa): The English boxwood is technically a form of American boxwood, though the English version is denser and less cold-hardy than the common boxwood. This dwarf variety of boxwood is a slow grower that is a popular choice for edging in yards and gardens.
3. 3. Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla): The Japanese boxwood is a dwarf evergreen shrub that rarely grows over three feet tall. It is known for its bright green, oval-shaped leaves. This species of boxwood is often used as a parent plant used to make hybrid boxwood cultivars.
   
4. 4. Korean boxwood (Buxus sinica var. insularis): The Korean boxwood shrub is a small variety of boxwood that grows shiny, lime green leaves. Though it is cold-hardy, this plant’s leaves tend to turn yellow during the winter.
5. 5. Pachysandra: Pachysandra is short, shrubby vegetation most commonly used as a ground-covering plant in shady areas. Though it is used more commonly as a grass alternative than a hedging plant, it is still part of the boxwood family. It has deep green leaves and can grow small white flowers in the springtime. These drought-tolerant plants grow up to one foot tall and two feet wide.

The best time to plant boxwoods is during the late fall, or early spring during moderate temperatures. Boxwoods thrive best in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8, though many hybrids have been bred to resist colder climates. Boxwoods have shallow roots, and you should plant them in a place with dappled or filtered afternoon sun to avoid drying out their root system.

Boxwood shrubs are easy to grow and are highly durable in a variety of climates and soil types. The quickest and easiest way to propagate boxwood is from rooted stem cuttings. Here is how to plant boxwood.

1. 1. Obtain your cuttings. In the late summer, cut a few four to six-inch-long branches from a mature boxwood shrub. Take the leaves off of the two lowest inches of the branch. Scrape the bark from one side of your branch.
2. 2. Prepare your soil. Fill a pot with a mixture of peat moss, sand, and vermiculite; this will be the pot that you root your stem cuttings in. Stick the cut end of your cutting into the soil and water immediately. Cover your pot with a plastic bag to trap the moisture inside, and place your pot in a sunny location. Water your cutting regularly, and check whether it has sprouted roots every few days by lightly tugging on your cutting. After a few weeks, your branch should have started rooting, and you can transplant it to a larger container or garden.
3. 3. Choose the right planting area. Some boxwoods may be weather-hardy, but many will not be able to withstand extreme temperatures or direct, full sun every day. If you live in a warmer climate, keep your shrubs in an area that also receives dappled or partial shade to prevent the leaves from burning or “bronzing.” Boxwoods have a shallow root system, so you should also choose a spot that is safe from high winds.
4. 4. Plant your boxwood in a new container. Prepare your new planting spot (be it a pot or directly in your garden) with rich soil. Dig a hole that is just larger than your plant’s root ball. Gently dig up your boxwood cutting, taking care not to damage its root system. Plant it in the hole in the soil, and backfill the hole with soil. Water your cutting immediately.

Boxwoods are easy to grow and require very little care once they’ve been properly established. Here are some tips on how to care for your boxwoods.

1. 1. Use gloves when you’re handling boxwood. Every part of the boxwood plant is poisonous. The sap from the plant can cause skin irritation in humans, and any part of the boxwood (if ingested) can be toxic to pets and people. When caring for or planting boxwoods, always handle with care and use gloves. Keep them out of reach of animals and children.
2. 2. Prune often (but not too often). If you’re landscaping with boxwood shrubs, you should trim them regularly to help maintain their shape. However, the more you cut back a boxwood, the thicker and denser it will grow, which can then prevent sunlight or air from reaching the inner foliage of your plant.
3. 3. Water your plants regularly. When boxwoods are becoming established, they need deep waterings regularly (at least once a week). After a few years, you can scale your deep waterings back to every two to four weeks (though hotter climates may still require regular weekly waterings).
4. 4. Mulch your plants to help maintain moisture. Mulching your plants will help them retain moisture without overwatering them, potentially leading to root rot. A layer of mulch is also an effective way to keep your plant roots insulated during winter months. Make sure to apply the mulch around two inches away from your plant’s trunk, to avoid attracting pests.
5. 5. Fertilize your boxwoods in spring. Organic, all-purpose fertilizer should be applied to the soil around your tree during the spring to supply new growth with plenty of nutrients.
6. 6. Look out for diseases. Boxwoods are generally disease-resistant but they are vulnerable to boxwood blight, which is a fungal disease that affects the growth and leaf quality of your plants. Keep an eye out for leaf spots or leaf burn, which can be indicators of infection or poor growing conditions.
   
7. 7. Check for pests. Though many boxwoods are resistant to pests, some may still be susceptible to boxwood moths, leafminers, and mites. Use an organic insecticide to treat your plants that may be affected by these pests. Rinse and sanitize any gardening tools you use to care for your garden to avoid spreading these pests to other shrubs.

Whether you’re looking to make a statement with your yard design or trying to spruce up an old garden, here are a few helpful tips on landscaping with boxwood shrubs:

1. 1. Use them as edges and borders. Boxwood shrubs make attractive edges and borders for your walkways. You can also use them in your garden, especially if you have crops that are vulnerable to deer or other animal pests. Your boxwoods can make fragrant borders around your garden to protect it from pests.
2. 2. Leave enough space for air circulation. You should make sure your plant gets plenty of air circulation to prevent the growth of diseases or fungi. Plant your shrubs with enough spacing between them. Depending on the species, this can be anywhere from 15 to 40 inches apart.
3. 3. Use them to accentuate outdoor features. If you’re not looking for hedges or lack the room to plant a row of boxwoods, you can plant them in large containers and use them to accent features of your property, like entrances or pathways.

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