Facts on the Boxwood Shrub

Features

• The leaves on the boxwood develop opposite one another on the twigs. They are about an inch in length, leathery in texture and dark green above, but yellow green on the lower surface. Boxwood flowers during April and May, and while the flowers are fragrant and attract bees, they are not particularly ornamental. Boxwood shrubs grow between 5 and 15 feet tall, but come in cultivars that mature to smaller sizes.

Light Requirements

• Boxwood handles full sun situations, but the leaves tend to scorch in summer heat or change to bronze colors in winter when in full sun. Partial shade is the best setting for boxwood, with the bush receiving sunshine in the morning but shade in the afternoon. Growing boxwood in full shade is possible, but the shrubs will have less foliage.

Growing Conditions

• Locate boxwood in cool, damp and well-draining soil if possible for the best results; root rot occurs in constantly wet sites that drain poorly. The shrub, which is native to Europe, Asia and northern sections of Africa, does well if the soil is a bit acidic or of a slightly alkaline nature. The roots of boxwood are so shallow that nothing else will grow beneath or close to the bush. Improve the air circulation in the shrubs by taking out any dead or injured branches. If it snows heavily, try to remove as much as you can from the boxwoods to avoid any damage to stems and branches.

Types

• Dozens of cultivars of boxwood are available for use in your landscape. Elegantissima is a smaller form, growing between 3 and 5 feet tall. It works well as a low hedge or foundation plant. Vardar Valley, cold hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, grows between 2 and 3 feet high. Variegata features multicolored leaves. Henry Shaw is a larger cultivar, but still manageable at between 5 and 7 feet high. Graham Blandy is a narrow type, growing 9 feet high but just 2 feet wide.