Buxus sempervirens ‘Arctic Emerald’
Overview
Uses: Upright hedges, narrow spaces, entryways, and formal gardens.
Benefits: A fast-growing, upright boxwood with a tall columnar habit and a wider base. Dense, deep green foliage stands up to cold winters and full sun, making it a good choice for a taller hedge or vertical accent.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Columnar — tall with a wider base.
Foliage Color: Deep Green
Mature Height: 6–8 feet
Mature Width: 3 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Evergreen height for spaces too narrow for most shrubs.
Arctic Emerald is an upright boxwood that grows tall rather than wide, reaching about six to eight feet while staying around three feet across. That shape lets it fill vertical space beside a doorway, along a driveway, or between windows where a rounded shrub would crowd the path.
It grows faster than most boxwoods, so a row reaches hedge height in fewer seasons. Planted in a line it makes a tall, narrow evergreen hedge; planted in pairs it gives an entry a formal, finished look.
The dense, deep green foliage holds up in cold winters and handles full sun well. It also lacks the strong odor many boxwoods give off, which makes it pleasant beside patios and walks where people brush past.
Care
Arctic Emerald Boxwood Care
Plant in full sun to partial shade. It tolerates full sun better than many boxwoods; in colder zones, shelter from strong winter wind helps prevent bronzing.
Boxwood needs well-drained soil and will decline in ground that stays wet. It tolerates a range of soil types, including clay that drains reasonably well, and prefers a pH near neutral.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season. Boxwood roots are shallow, so a one-to-two-inch layer of mulch helps hold moisture; keep mulch a few inches away from the stems. Established plants handle short dry spells, and a deep watering before the ground freezes helps prevent winter burn.
Feed lightly in early spring with a slow release fertilizer. Boxwood does not need heavy feeding.
Trim lightly in late spring or early summer after new growth hardens to keep the column dense. Avoid heavy pruning late in the season, which can push tender growth before winter. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering help keep foliage healthy. Where boxwood blight is present in your area, space plants so air can move between them and clean pruning tools between plants.
Growing in Containers
Boxwood grows well in containers and is a classic choice for flanking a door. Use a pot with drainage holes and a quality potting mix, water whenever the top inch of mix feels dry, and feed lightly in spring, since frequent watering washes nutrients out. Roots in containers experience greater cold exposure than roots in the ground. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.
Size
What Size is the Arctic Emerald Boxwood for Sale Online?
Our Arctic Emerald Boxwood ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Evergreen foliage stays on through shipping, though leaves may show some winter bronzing in the off-season. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Arctic Emerald Boxwood Grow?
Expect about 6 to 8 feet tall and about 3 feet wide at maturity, in an upright, columnar shape with a slightly wider base. Space plants about 2 to 3 feet apart for a continuous narrow hedge.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
It is often called upright boxwood or columnar boxwood, and is a selection of common boxwood, also known as English boxwood.
Can I use it as a privacy hedge?
Yes, for moderate height. At six to eight feet it screens a patio or blocks views from a neighboring window while taking up very little ground. Browse more Privacy Trees & Shrubs.
Will deer eat it?
Deer and rabbits rarely browse boxwood, which makes it one of the most dependable evergreen shrubs for gardens with regular deer pressure. See our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens for more options.
Does it smell like other boxwoods?
No. Many boxwoods have a distinctive odor that some people find unpleasant, but this selection lacks it, so it works well close to doors and seating areas. See our Evergreen Plants for more year-round shrubs.
