Buxus ‘Green Mountain’
Overview
Uses: Formal hedges, foundation plantings, entryways, and specimen plantings.
Benefits: A cold-hardy hybrid boxwood with a naturally upright, pyramidal shape. Small, dark green leaves hold their color well in winter, and it takes shearing for a crisp formal look.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Pyramidal, Upright — naturally conical.
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Mature Height: 4–5 feet
Mature Width: 2–3 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Summary
A natural evergreen cone for doorways and formal beds.
Green Mountain is a hybrid boxwood bred for colder gardens that grows into an upright pyramid on its own. Its small, dark green leaves and dense branching give it a crisp outline without constant shearing.
At about four to five feet tall and two to three feet wide, it is the right size to flank a front door or garage, mark the corners of a bed, or form a taller formal hedge. A pair of them on either side of an entry gives a house a finished, symmetrical look.
The foliage holds its dark green color through winter better than many boxwoods, so the shape stays sharp in every season. Growth is slow, so it keeps its scale for many years.
Care
Green Mountain Boxwood Care
Plant in full sun to partial shade. In colder zones, a site sheltered 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, following the natural cone shape. Most years a single trim keeps the outline crisp. 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 Green Mountain Boxwood for Sale Online?
Our Green Mountain 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 Green Mountain Boxwood Grow?
Expect about 4 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide at maturity, in an upright, pyramidal shape. Space plants about 2 feet apart for a formal hedge.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
It is most often called boxwood, and is sometimes simply called box.
Does it need shearing to keep its shape?
No. The pyramidal form is natural, so it grows into a cone on its own. Light trimming simply tightens the outline. Browse more Evergreen Plants.
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.
Can I use it for a hedge?
Yes. Planted about two feet apart, it forms a taller formal hedge with a slightly scalloped top, or it can be sheared flat. See our Shrubs & Bushes for more hedge choices.
