What is the most popular boxwood?
The most commonly grown boxwoods are the common (or American) boxwood, Buxus sempervirens, and the English variety Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’. While many landscapers refer to boxwood as English or American, that is not really a true difference as the “American” species actually originated in England as well. Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood, Common Box, Common Boxwood, European Box) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.The Variegated Boxwood has creamy white and green leaves. These make great small shrubs for shade adding color to borders and layering the landscape.The first and probably most important is the European boxwood, Buxus sempervirens. Semper-virens’ means ‘always-green’ and this is an evergreen bush with small, round leaves.
What is the smallest English boxwood?
Dwarf English Boxwood ‘Suffruticosa’ This cultivar of boxwood is the true dwarf variety, growing to only 1. If clipped twice a year, you can keep it even smaller. The main thing to keep in mind is that boxwoods do not reliably regenerate from bare wood, so don’t prune back beyond where leaves are growing on any branches. Generally, cutting about 3/4 of the way into the leaves is as far as you want to go.Pruning Overgrown Boxwood Use loppers or hand pruners to make a series of pruning cuts in late winter or early spring, removing no more than one-third to one-half the canopy at a time. You may need to do this over two or three seasons if severe pruning is needed.Boxwoods are slow growing compared to many other shrubs, with growth rate depending on the variety. Dwarf types may only see 1/2-1 inch of new growth per year, while the typical growth rate for most varieties is 3-6 inches per year.Prune Once A Year To Maintain Size And Shape Of course, the best way to avoid having to cut back overgrown boxwoods is not to let them get overgrown in the first place. Most types grow slowly, so one pruning a year keeps them in bounds. Prune them lightly in the spring to maintain a more formal shape.
Which is better, Japanese boxwood or Wintergreen Boxwood?
Wintergreen boxwood is more cold hardy than the Japanese cultivar, and can be grown in Zones 4-9. Wintergreen is better at keeping its dark green color all winter, too. The flowers of wintergreen boxwood are yellowish green, but, like the Korean variety, inconspicuous and of little interest. Some boxwoods that are prized for retaining their green color throughout most winters are ‘Wintergreen’, ‘Green Velvet’, ‘Green Mountain’, and ‘Glencoe’.Wintergreen boxwood is more cold hardy than the Japanese cultivar, and can be grown in Zones 4-9. Wintergreen is better at keeping its dark green color all winter, too. The flowers of wintergreen boxwood are yellowish green, but, like the Korean variety, inconspicuous and of little interest.
What is a boxwood that stays small and round?
Baby Gem Boxwood matures to about 2–3 feet tall and wide, forming a dense, rounded evergreen shrub that stays neat without frequent shearing. This compact size makes it ideal for formal low hedges, walkway borders, and small garden spaces where a tidy evergreen is desired. It is also one of the top boxwood varieties for natural resistance to Boxwood Blight. As a relatively slow-growing hedge, at 3 to 6 inches per year, Green Mountain Boxwood Hedge is easy to maintain at your desired height and is ideal between 2 to 4 feet tall.So, your Wintergreen boxwoods grow to 3 to 5 feet in width, for an average of 4 feet. Place the plants 2 feet apart. Those dwarf varieties that should be 2 to 3 feet apart for a grouping or row of individual plants should be squeezed to more like 15 or 18 inches apart for a low hedge.
What is the best low maintenance boxwood?
Renaissance Boxwood is ideal for creating pristine low hedges, intricate topiaries, and beautiful parterres, all while maintaining its appearance year-round with minimal maintenance. Spring marks the perfect time to plant many varieties of trees and shrubs, including boxwood.Planting in a poor environment, combined with over-pruning, over-mulching, and improper watering, can lead to boxwood decline.American boxwoods are cold tolerant, with leaves that are rather long ovals with more pointed tips. English boxwoods are a dwarf variety. They are dense with more oval leaves.You can plant boxwood in fall, late winter or early spring. Fall often is best for planting to give the roots time to take hold before winter cold sets in. But as long as you avoid planting during the heat of summer or cold of winter, your boxwood should do fine in fall or spring.
What is the difference between American and English boxwood?
American boxwoods are cold tolerant, with leaves that are rather long ovals with more pointed tips. English boxwoods are a dwarf variety. They are dense with more oval leaves. Japanese boxwoods are very adaptable and are typically very heat tolerant. Do boxwoods like sun or shade? They prefer partial or dappled shade, but can tolerate full sun — short of scorching mid-day sun. Overexposure to sun causes burning and bronzing of foliage. If planting in a brighter location, look for varieties that may be more tolerant of sun, such as ‘Morris Midget’.Exposure: Boxwoods thrive in full sun or light shade, but they don’t like exposed, very windy sites, particularly in winter. Protect boxwoods by keeping them vigorous and healthy, watered as needed in late and apply a fresh layer of mulch in fall to help prevent winter damage.While snow can be a wonderful insulator for plants, heavy loads should be gently brushed off from the tops to prevent breakage. Protect boxwoods from snow and ice damage by wrapping them in burlap (loosely, to allow for airflow) or plastic wildlife netting.