Basic Boxwood Information

There are two types of boxwood grown in this country: common or English box (Buxus sernpervirens) and Japanese or littleleaf box (B. microphylla). Both are excellent hedge plants, with small, glossy green leaves. Common box is taller, reaching up to 20 feet high, and littleleaf box reaches only 3 feet tall.

Plant them in rich, moist, well-drained soil with full or mostly full sunlight. They are hardy in zones 6-7.

Boxwoods are the classic hedging material from English or Colonial gardens. They take well to shearing; leaves and stems are soft and graceful. With the littleleaf box, try B microphylla koreana. There are Korean, compacta, and japonica varieties. Vithin the common box, a number of choices include Angustifolia, Suffruticosa, and the variety Argenteo-variegata with white spotted leaves. In northern areas, protect them from winter winds with burlap.

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