Finding the right boxwood variety for your landscape.
By Ken Druse
|||||
Here is a list of some boxwood cultivars and their characteristics. Height and spread are approximate for plants at maturity, about 15 years of age. The American Boxwood Society has more information on growing boxwood.
Small-leaved Boxwood Buxus microphylla
‘Grace Hendrick Phillips’.
Very dwarf; 1'H × 2'W; USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6–8
‘Compacta’ (‘Kingsville Dwarf’).
The smallest of them all, tiny leaves, dense, very slow; 1'H × 1.5'W; Zones 6–8
Japanese Boxwood B. microphyllavar. japonica
‘Green Beauty’.
Deep green, responds well to pruning, a good substitute for English box; 3'H × 3'W; Zones 6–8
‘Morris Dwarf’.
Slow, formal hedge for sun; 1'H × 1'W; Zones 6–8
‘Morris Midget’.
Very dwarf, small leaves, sun tolerant; 1'H × 1'W; Zones 6–8
‘Wintergreen’.
Cold-hardy, good for hedge, fast-growing; 4'H × 4'W; Zones 5–8
Common or American Boxwood B. sempervirens
B. sempervirens.
Called American boxwood, tall, tried and true species; 5'H × 4'W; Zones 5–8
‘Dee Runk’.
Upright fast growth; 8'H x 2'W; Zones 6–8
‘Elegantissima’.
Best variegated gray-green and cream, disease-resistant; 3'H × 2.5'W; Zones 6–8
‘Fastigiata’.
Bluish-green upright growth for hedge; 8'H × 3'W; Zones 6–8
‘Graham Blandy’.
Most narrow columnar, better in cold climates, may need tying or pruning; 7'H × 1'W; Zones 5–6
‘Jensen’.
Similar to English; 2'H × 2'W; Zones 6–8
