How to Grow Boxwood Shrubs

Growing Boxwoods

Boxwood shrubs are America’s most popular home landscaping shrubs. Easy to grow, this evergreen plant is one of the few evergreens that deer will leave alone. It contains Alkaloids, which deer do not like. The shrubs are native to northern Africa and southern Europe. Growing hardy and attractive boxwood shrubs is easy

The same unpleasant odor that keeps deer away, is also a consideration for scent-sensitive homeowners. Some varieties have fragrant flowers.

Boxwood can be grown in containers, on a patio or deck. They can even be brought indoors and grown as house plants. The plants can be pruned to the desired shape.

Flower Colors: Green and, yellow.

Flowers Bloom: Spring

Plant Height: Depending upon variety, the plant grows 2 to 6 feet tall.

Hardiness Zones: 5 – 9

Caution: This plant is toxic to pets.

Varieties of Boxwood Shrubs

There are many varieties of Boxwoods. The smaller dwarfs grow just 2-3 feet high, and spread out about 2′. Larger varieties can grow 5-6 feet, spreading out 4-5 feet.

Some varieties are hardier than others. For northern climates, look for winter-hardy varieties.

What is the most popular variety of Boxwood? The English Boxwood is a dwarf shrub.

Boxwood Plant Propagation

Boxwood plants are grown from seeds. However, it takes a long time for the new plant to grow into a size suitable for most shrubbery applications. As a result, most homeowners buy small nursery plants. These can be planted at almost any time of the year. But, it is best to plant them in the spring.

Transplant existing boxwoods in the early spring, before new leaf growth begins.

How to Grow Boxwood Shrubs

Boxwoods are easy to grow. This plant prefers full sunlight to partial shade. The plants grow well in average to rich soils, that drain well. Importantly, they do not like wet soils.

Plant them in the ground no deeper than the depth that the plant was in the ground (for transplants), or in the pot from the nursery. Mix in plenty of compost while planting. Boxwood roots grow shallow in the soil. Keep new plantings well watered for 2 to 3 weeks, to allow the roots to get established.

Established plants are drought tolerant. Water in dry weather at the soil level, keeping leaves dry.

Mulch around the shrubs, to keep weeds down, and help retain soil moisture.

Apply a general-purpose fertilizer once in the spring, and again in mid-summer.

After the first year, trim the plants, to maintain the desired shape.

Leaves may lose their green color in the winter, taking on an orange cast. This is normal.

Ideal Soil pH – 6.5 – 7.5