Common Boxwood

Mature Size The common boxwood grows to a height of 15–20' and a spread of 15–20' at maturity.

How fast does common boxwood grow?

Generally 3-5 inches a year and is a favorite among fast growing evergreen shrubs that reach a mature height of 10-15 feet and 6-10 feet in width.

How do you care for a common boxwood?

How to Care for Boxwood

1. Plant Your Boxwood in the Right Location. Siting boxwood in the proper location goes a long way toward maintaining healthy plants.
2. Provide Adequate Drainage. ...
3. Protect Boxwood Roots. ...
4. Prune Boxwood by Thinning. ...
5. Winter Protection for Boxwood. ...
6. Water Boxwood Wisely. ...
7. Fertilize Boxwood as Needed.

What is the most common use for a common boxwood?

Boxwoods (Buxus) are popular shrubs partly because they are so versatile in shape, size, leaf qualities and the list goes on. Boxwood varieties are perfect shrubs for forming hedges or showing off your pruning skills or even topiary skills on a single plant.

Are boxwoods high maintenance?

Aside from watering and mulching, growing boxwood is a low maintenance task, unless you wish to keep them as a sheared hedge. Shearing, or pruning of boxwood, is the most time-consuming part of boxwood care when they are grown as a hedge, but you will be rewarded with a healthy, long-lasting hedge.

Where is the best place to plant boxwoods?

Boxwoods do best in dappled shade where they get full sun for a portion of the day. Too much full sun, especially in hot climates, will damage their leaves. Used as foundation plantings around the house, boxwoods would be happiest on the north side, and forced to suffer the most direct sun on the south side.

Are boxwood low maintenance?

Buxus spp. Boxwood are tough, generally slow growing, evergreen shrubs. They're quite easy to maintain, especially if you opt for a looser appearance instead of a more traditional clipped look.

When should boxwoods be planted?

The best time to plant boxwoods is during the late fall, or early spring during moderate temperatures.

What is the easiest boxwood to grow?

Wintergreen Boxwood This slow growing evergreen bush is very easy to maintain.

Do boxwoods need to be covered in winter?

It is best to prepare boxwood for winter with a nice layer of mulch, making sure the crown of the plant is not planted or covered too deeply. Moderate winter snowfall can also insulate the plant through the winter. Very large or heavy snowfall should be removed from the plant to not cause breakage or other damage.

Will boxwood survive winter?

Although boxwood are typically hardy evergreens that can tolerate cold, they can be susceptible to injury when extreme weather events occur.

What is the lifespan of a boxwood bush?

Common Boxwood Lifespan: 20-30 Years The boxwood is famous for its use in formal gardens.

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.

What is the hardiest boxwood shrub?

Cold/Hardiest Boxwoods As I have mentioned, Boxwoods are hardy plants, but there are a few that seem to withstand the cold and be the hardiest of all. Green Velvet, Green Mountain, Green Gem, and Glencoe Boxwoods are among this group.

Do boxwoods attract pests?

While they are quite hardy and are adaptable in several climatic zones, it is not uncommon for the plants to be afflicted with common boxwood shrub pests. While many of the unwanted pests are benign, in some cases, controlling boxwood insects is paramount to the continued health of the plant.

What happens if you don't trim boxwoods?

They thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 9, depending on the cultivar, and you can easily shape them as they grow. But boxwoods can grow unwieldy if not properly pruned and can grow out of bounds.

Are boxwoods toxic to dogs?

Boxwood plants and hedges are common and generally present low toxicity for humans. However, when eaten they can be toxic for animals including dogs, cats, and horses.

Do boxwoods stay green all year?

Few plants rival boxwood shrubs for winter color. Boxwoods are truly a classic evergreen shrub that has been a favorite of American gardeners for hundreds of years. The dark green leaves of boxwoods add permanence to the garden and can be kept trimmed into hedges and privacy screens.

Do boxwoods take a long time to grow?

Are boxwoods fast growing? Boxwoods are slow growing compared to many other shrubs, with growth rate depending on the variety. Dwarf types may only see 1/2-1 inch of new growth per year, while the typical growth rate for most varieties is 3-6 inches per year.

Do boxwood plants spread?

Common or American boxwood (B. sempervirens) is a wide-spreading shrub or small tree with dense, evergreen foliage. Plants grow to a height of 10 to 15 feet. The leaves are dark green above and yellow-green beneath, oblong to oval in shape and about an inch long.