Boxwoods

Boxwoods are dense, fine-textured evergreens that hold their shape with light shearing, making them the standard choice for formal hedges, edging, and foundation plantings. Their small glossy leaves stay green through winter.

Slow, even growth means a boxwood hedge keeps its lines for years with minimal effort.

The selections here are chosen for northern gardens and are hardy through USDA Zone 5, with several rated to Zone 4. Varieties bred for cold climates hold their color better and resist winter bronzing.

Product pages list the hardiness range for each variety so you can match it to your zone.

Boxwoods grow well in full sun to partial shade. In cold regions, a spot with some afternoon shade and protection from drying winter wind reduces leaf burn.

Well-draining soil is essential; boxwoods decline in soggy ground.

Shear or shape boxwoods in late spring after the first flush of growth has hardened, and again lightly in midsummer if needed. Avoid pruning in late summer or fall, since new growth may not harden before frost.

Thinning a few interior branches improves airflow and keeps the center of the plant healthy.

Boxwoods are one of the most reliably deer-resistant shrubs. Their foliage is unpalatable, and browsing is rare even where deer pressure is heavy.

This makes them a dependable choice for front yards and properties bordering woods.

Boxwood blight is a fungal disease that causes leaf spots, defoliation, and stem cankers. It spreads in warm, wet conditions and through infected plant material.

Choosing resistant varieties, spacing plants for airflow, watering at the base rather than overhead, and cleaning pruning tools all reduce risk.