Boxwood

Buxus

A dense, slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub with small glossy leaves; the classic hedge/edging/topiary plant. Inconspicuous flowers; grown for foliage.

Sun
full sun to part shade
Water
moderate
Mature size
2-6 ft (varies by cultivar) × 2-5 ft
Bloom
Inconspicuous — grown for foliage.
Hardiness
USDA Zones 5–9

Care guide

Quick ID

Dense broadleaf evergreen shrub (*Buxus*). Small glossy leaves; classic hedge, edging, and topiary plant.

Sun & Site

Full sun to part shade; well-drained soil. In Draper, afternoon shade and winter protection reduce leaf scorch/bronzing.

Pruning & Shaping

Shear after the spring flush, with a light summer touch-up. Avoid late-season shearing. Thin the interior periodically so light and air reach inside.

In my garden

R3a4 plants
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
4
Plants
Mar–Apr 2025
Planted · ~1 yr
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
R3b4 plants
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
4
Plants
Mar–Apr 2025
Planted · ~1 yr
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
SE41 plant
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
1
Plants
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
Shop1Bed Shop1
SunPart sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-05Spring mulch push (May 12–16)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
Shop2Bed Shop2
SunPart sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-05Spring mulch push (May 12–16)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
formal gardenBed formal garden
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-08Osmocote (slow-release)
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
formal gardenBed formal garden
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-08Osmocote (slow-release)
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
formal gardenBed formal garden
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-08Osmocote (slow-release)
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
front of house1 plant
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
1
Plants
Mar 2025
Planted · ~1 yr
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-05-13Replacement boxwood pillar planted (dead one, NE corner of house)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
frontyard southeast1 plant
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
1
Plants
Mar 2025
Planted · ~1 yr
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
frontyard southeast1 plant
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
1
Plants
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
greatroom5 plants
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
5
Plants
Mar–Apr 2025
Planted · ~1 yr
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
greatroom6 plants
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
6
Plants
Mar 2025
Planted · ~1 yr
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
greatroomBed greatroom
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed
mastersuite6 plants
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
6
Plants
Mar 2025
Planted · ~1 yr
What I've done here
  • 2026-05-14Sheared all 27 Green Pillar + Schmidtii pillars (May 13–14)
  • 2026-05Spring mulch push (May 12–16)
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
  • 2026-04-0816-16-16 spring feeding
  • 2026-03-26Shop + Formal Garden boxwoods trimmed