Boxwood is one of the most classic and versatile evergreen shrubs in ornamental gardening. Loved for its refined appearance, neat habit and ability to be shaped into nearly any form, boxwood has remained a staple of traditional and modern landscapes for centuries. In Metro Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest, boxwood provides year round structure, lush evergreen colour and endless design possibilities. Whether you prefer formal lines, soft rolling hedges, knot gardens or foundation plantings, there is a boxwood variety suited to your project.
Because there are so many species and cultivars available, choosing the right boxwood can feel overwhelming. Some varieties grow tall and upright, while others stay compact and rounded. Some are faster growers with vibrant green foliage, others are slow and dense with exceptional winter colour. In this blog post, we will explore the most common species and cultivars, compare their sizes and characteristics, review planting and care basics, offer pruning guidance and discuss common concerns such as boxwood blight and the growing awareness of box tree moth.
Why Boxwood Is Ideal for Pacific Northwest Gardens
Our coastal climate is naturally suited to boxwood. Mild winters, cool summers and moist soils create conditions where boxwood thrives. Compared to hotter regions where boxwood sometimes struggles, Metro Vancouver gardeners enjoy excellent performance with little difficulty. Boxwood tolerates sun and part shade, clips neatly, and pairs beautifully with Japanese maples, hydrangeas, roses, ferns and perennials. It is also one of the best low hedging plants available.
Because different species perform slightly differently, selecting the right variety for your location is the first step toward a long lived and attractive planting.
Understanding the Main Species of Boxwood
Most boxwood used in gardens comes from three main species or groups, each with unique traits that influence growth rate, winter hardiness and mature size.
Buxus sempervirens (Common or English Boxwood)
One of the oldest and most traditional forms of boxwood, Buxus sempervirens includes many of the large, upright cultivars used for taller hedges. It has rich, dark green leaves and a strong classical look. Sempervirens varieties tend to grow larger, making them ideal for medium to tall hedges and formal structures. They perform very well in Metro Vancouver due to our mild winters.
Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa' (True Dwarf Boxwood)
This is the classic dwarf boxwood used for knot gardens, parterres and low edging. It grows slowly and stays compact, forming low, rounded shrubs over many years. Although beautiful, it is slower than modern cultivars and more prone to winter bronzing when exposed to extreme cold or reflective winter sun. It is still a favourite for traditional borders and European garden styles.
Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood)
Buxus microphylla and its hybrids offer excellent cold tolerance, compact growth and improved resistance to some diseases. These varieties perform extremely well in the Pacific Northwest. Many of today’s popular cultivars belong to this group or are hybrids between microphylla and sempervirens.
Buxus sinica var. insularis (Korean Boxwood)
Korean boxwood is valued for cold hardiness and dense branching. It often holds a fresh green colour through winter, making it appealing for year round structure. Many modern cultivars originate from this species because of its reliability and disease tolerance.
Better Boxwood (Blight Resistant Series)
Better Boxwood is a newer breeding program focused on improving resistance to boxwood blight. It includes several cultivars selected for disease tolerance, winter colour and dense foliage. As awareness of pests and diseases increases, these improved varieties offer gardeners more confidence when planting new hedges.
Comparing Popular Boxwood Cultivars
Below is an overview of the most common and useful varieties we see in Metro Vancouver gardens, each suited to different landscape needs.
Green Velvet
Green Velvet is one of the best all purpose boxwoods for hedging and foundation planting. It grows into a naturally rounded form with medium growth rate and excellent cold tolerance. It maintains a rich green colour through winter and requires only light pruning to stay tidy. This is an ideal choice for low to medium hedges.
Green Beauty
Green Beauty has slightly longer leaves and a more open branching structure than Green Velvet, giving it a softer look. It grows moderately fast and adapts well to sun or part shade. Its fresh green foliage and relaxed form work well in mixed borders or looser hedging styles.
Winter Gem
Winter Gem is valued for its vibrant colour and reliable performance. It grows quickly for a boxwood and is less prone to winter bronzing. This cultivar is commonly used for low hedges, clipped balls and containers. It responds well to pruning and fills out quickly.
Wintergreen
Wintergreen is a hardy and vigorous cultivar, often sold in affordable multi packs for mass planting. It forms a rounded shape and maintains strong winter colour. It grows slightly taller than Winter Gem and is a good choice for medium sized hedges.
Green Gem
Green Gem is a compact, dense cultivar that maintains a very neat shape with minimal effort. It is slower growing than some others, making it ideal for formal designs or small spaces where a refined look is desired.
Faulkner
Faulkner is a darker green boxwood with a tight, rounded form. It holds its shape exceptionally well and is ideal for clipped forms or structured hedging. Its foliage has a deeper tone than Winter Gem or Green Beauty, giving it a bold appearance in the landscape.
Graham Blandy
Graham Blandy is one of the most unique boxwoods available. It grows in a very narrow, columnar form, sometimes as tight as two feet wide, making it excellent for vertical accents, formal lines and small gardens. It is slower growing but incredibly distinctive.
King Midas
King Midas is known for its bright golden foliage, especially on new growth. It adds colour to evergreen schemes and works beautifully in contrasting plantings. This variety grows slowly and stays compact, making it ideal for borders and containers.
Buxus microphylla cultivars
Many compact varieties used today are derived from Buxus microphylla. These cultivars often have superior winter colour, excellent branching and consistent performance in our climate. They are frequently used in modern landscapes where dense, uniform hedging is required.
Buxus sinica var. insularis cultivars
Korean boxwood selections provide reliable options for cold tolerance and dense evergreen structure. They often maintain better winter colour than sempervirens varieties and offer good resistance to environmental stress.
Better Boxwood Series
Developed to combat increasing concerns about boxwood blight, the Better Boxwood series offers improved disease resistance and dependable growth. These cultivars are becoming increasingly popular in commercial landscapes and public gardens where disease management is a priority.
NewGen Boxwood Series
The NewGen series is a newer line of boxwood bred specifically for improved resistance to boxwood blight, stronger root systems and superior overall performance. These cultivars hold excellent winter colour, have dense branching and maintain a uniform shape with minimal pruning. They are fast becoming a favourite for both residential and commercial landscapes where reliability and long term health are priorities. The series includes several compact and mid sized forms suitable for hedges, foundations and formal plantings.
NewGen Freedom
NewGen Freedom produces a rounded, vigorous shrub with excellent pest and disease resistance. It grows slightly faster than many traditional cultivars and maintains a clean, rich green foliage throughout the year. Its strong branching makes it ideal for low to medium hedges, clipped forms and mass plantings.
NewGen Independence
NewGen Independence is a smaller, more compact selection with tight foliage and a refined shape. It offers exceptional blight tolerance, good winter colour and slow, even growth. This makes it ideal for detailed edging, parterres, knot gardens and formal borders where perfect symmetry is essential.
Little Missy
Little Missy is a naturally small and dense boxwood with a tidy, rounded habit. It maintains excellent winter colour and is slower growing than many other cultivars, making it an ideal choice for low hedges, foundation borders and decorative shapes. Its fine texture and compact size make it especially useful in formal gardens and small spaces.
Justin Brouwers
Justin Brouwers is a compact, slow growing cultivar prized for its tight foliage and exceptional uniformity. It forms a low, rounded mound that requires very little pruning to stay neat. Because of its tidy shape and dark evergreen colour, it is ideal for edging, foundation plantings, patios and small garden spaces. It also performs well in containers and clipped forms.
Blauer Heinz
Blauer Heinz is a low, spreading boxwood with a distinctive blue green foliage tone. It maintains a flat, compact profile, making it excellent for edging, parterres and geometric plantings. Its unique colour provides a striking contrast in mixed evergreen schemes. This variety handles pruning well and offers strong winter performance, especially in cooler microclimates.
How to Plant Boxwood
Proper planting sets the stage for long term success. Boxwood prefers well drained soil, moderate moisture and protection from harsh winds or reflective winter sun.
- Dig a wide, shallow hole to allow roots to spread naturally.
- Position the plant so the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil.
- Improve soil with compost or leaf mulch to enhance drainage and structure.
- We recommend adding Bonemeal or Myke into the planting hole
- Water thoroughly after planting and maintain even moisture during the first two seasons.
- Using a liquid transplant fertilizer is always beneficial for root growth
- Mulch with bark or wood chips, but keep mulch away from the stem.
For hedges, spacing varies by cultivar. Compact varieties may be planted as close as 12 to 18 inches apart, while larger forms may need 24 to 30 inches.
Caring for Boxwood
Boxwood is generally easy to care for in the Pacific Northwest, but consistent maintenance ensures dense foliage and strong winter colour.
Watering
Newly planted boxwoods require regular watering, especially in dry summers. Mature plants are drought tolerant but benefit from deep watering during extended dry periods.
Feeding
A slow release, balanced fertilizer applied in early spring encourages healthy growth. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to soft growth prone to winter bronzing.
Mulching
Mulching helps protect roots, regulate temperature and maintain soil moisture. A two to three inch layer is ideal.
Pruning Boxwood
Pruning keeps boxwood tidy, full and attractive. It responds exceptionally well to clipping, making it ideal for formal hedges, spheres and topiary.
- Prune lightly in late spring after new growth emerges.
- A second light shaping in early fall helps maintain structure for winter.
- Avoid pruning during extreme heat or cold.
- For formal hedges, shear consistently but lightly to build density.
- Hand pruning can help maintain a natural look while encouraging airflow.
Because boxwood can regenerate from older wood more reliably than cedars, it is more forgiving if an established hedge becomes overgrown.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Boxwood is generally resilient in our area, but gardeners should be aware of these potential issues.
Winter Bronzing
Some varieties may take on a bronze or golden tint in winter. This is usually cosmetic and resolves in spring. Selecting winter hardy cultivars such as Winter Gem or Korean boxwood helps minimize this issue.
Root Stress
Poor drainage, overly compacted soil or planting too deeply can lead to thinning foliage or poor vigour. Improving soil conditions usually solves the problem.
Boxwood Blight
Boxwood blight is a fungal disease that causes black leaf spots, rapid defoliation and stem lesions. Although it is present in some regions, it remains relatively uncommon in the Pacific Northwest. Prevention includes good airflow, clean tools, avoiding overhead watering and choosing resistant varieties such as those in the Better Boxwood program.
Box Tree Moth
Box tree moth has been detected in parts of Canada and the Pacific Northwest. The larvae feed on foliage and can cause severe damage. Monitoring plants regularly and reporting suspected infestations helps protect local landscapes.