Boxwood Shrub Varieties

Green Tower Boxwood

• Green tower boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Monrue') is a native from the Mediterranean and could once be found in Roman gardens. The green tower boxwood has also been used for tall thin topiaries. This shrub has dark green foliage and small, yellow fragrant flowers. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) zones 5 through 9, the green tower boxwood grows up to 9 feet tall and has a 1- to 2-foot-wide spread. Plant the green tower boxwood in full to partial sun and space the shrubs 18 inches apart for a thick hedge.

Green Mountain Boxwood

• Green mountain boxwood (Buxus x 'Green Mountain') stays green all year and forms a pyramidal shape. The green mountain boxwood makes a perfect hedge plant if planted 2 feet apart, or grow it in a large pot. Green mountain boxwood is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, and will grow up to 5 feet tall with a 3-feet spread. The foliage is bright green and the shrub has tiny yellow flowers in the spring. Grow the green mountain boxwood in part shade to full sun.

Dwarf English Boxwood

• Dwarf English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa') is an evergreen shrub and is excellent for small hedges, bonsai or topiaries. The dwarf English boxwood grows slowly, reaching a height of 1 to 2 feet tall with a 1 to 2 feet spread. The foliage is green, but changes to bronze color in the fall. This boxwood also has tiny flowers. The Dwarf English boxwood is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8. If the dwarf English boxwood is grown as a hedge plant, space them 1 to 2 feet apart. Plant the dwarf English boxwood in full to partial sun.

Wintergreen Boxwood

• Wintergreen boxwood (Buxus microphylla 'Winter Green') is a broadleaf evergreen. Instead of growing in a pyramid shape, this boxwood has a rounded growth habit. The foliage is delicate and tiny, but it fills in to make a wonderful hedge. Many types of boxwood suffer from yellowing, but the wintergreen boxwood does not. The foliage is green, but may turn bronze colored in the winter. Wintergreen boxwood blooms with tiny, fragrant, cream-colored flowers in the spring. Growing to heights of 2 to 4 feet with a 3 to 5 foot spread, the wintergreen boxwood is hardy in USDA zones 5 though 8. If planting wintergreen boxwood as a hedge, space them 3 to 4 feet apart. The wintergreen boxwood grows well in full sun to part shade.