Green Gem boxwood

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is helpful in hot climates. Shelter from drying winter winds.

Water

Keep the root zone evenly moist during establishment; once established, water deeply during prolonged dry weather. Avoid waterlogged soil.

Soil

Well-drained loam, clay loam or sandy soil enriched with organic matter; slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions are suitable.

Height

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Spread

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Foliage

Small, opposite, oval green leaves form a dense evergreen canopy; foliage may develop bronze tones in cold, exposed conditions.

Growth

Slow

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Cold hardy
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.9 ft (0.57 m)

3. After 2 years

   2.1 ft (0.64 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.3 ft (0.71 m)

5. After 5 years

   2.8 ft (0.84 m)

About 8 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Growth rate

Slow

• Water at soil level when the root zone begins to dry, especially during the first two growing seasons.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or a soil test indicates a deficiency.
• Keep cultivation shallow to avoid damaging the surface roots.
• Check regularly for caterpillars, leaf damage and sudden patches of browning.

Pruning. Remove dead or damaged shoots in spring, then lightly trim after the main spring flush if a formal shape is wanted. Occasionally thin crowded branches to admit light and air, and avoid late-season clipping that encourages tender growth before frost.

Late winter

Check for wind scorch, snow damage and loose roots; avoid pruning frozen foliage.

Spring

Plant when the soil is workable and not waterlogged; water thoroughly and mulch.

Spring

Remove dead shoots and inspect new growth for leafminer damage and caterpillars.

Early summer

Lightly clip hedges or rounded shapes after the main flush of growth.

Summer

Water during dry spells and inspect for webbing, defoliation or leaf spots.

Autumn

Refresh mulch if needed and water well before the ground freezes if autumn has been dry.

• Plant as a low formal hedge around a terrace or along a path, allowing room for its mature width.
• Repeat rounded plants through a perennial border to provide evergreen structure between seasonal flowers.
• Use clipped balls beside entrances or steps for a symmetrical accent.
• Edge a rose garden or herb parterre with a restrained green framework.

Garden styles it suits: Formal, English country, French parterre, Tudor knot garden, Topiary garden and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Roses, Catmint, Hardy geraniums, Alliums, Hellebores and Japanese anemones.

Wildlife: The small spring flowers can provide pollen and nectar for visiting insects. Dense foliage offers some shelter, but this is not a major wildlife food plant.

• Boxwood blight causes leaf spots, rapid leaf drop and dark stem streaks. Stop clipping affected plants, seek local confirmation, remove infected material as advised locally and disinfect tools; do not compost diseased debris.
• Box tree moth caterpillars chew leaves and leave webbing, sometimes stripping whole plants. Inspect inside the canopy, hand-pick small infestations and use a locally approved caterpillar treatment while larvae are young.
• Boxwood leafminer causes blistered, yellowing leaves, particularly in North America. Remove lightly affected shoots before adults emerge and seek locally appropriate treatment for persistent infestations.
• Poor drainage can cause root rot, yellowing and dieback. Correct drainage and reduce watering; severely affected plants may need removal rather than repeated treatment.

All parts contain toxic alkaloids, especially the leaves and bark. Eating it can poison people, cats, dogs and horses, causing vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain; substantial ingestion can be serious or fatal, particularly in horses. Keep clippings away from animals and seek medical or veterinary advice after ingestion.

• Japanese holly (Ilex crenata)

  Its small leaves are alternate along the stems and usually have finely scalloped edges; boxwood leaves are opposite with smooth edges. Female Japanese hollies may carry black berries.

• Box-leaved honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida)

  It has much finer, wiry shoots, usually smaller leaves and faster, more spreading growth. Unclipped plants can bear small paired flowers followed by purple berries.

Buxus is the Latin name for boxwood, and 'Green Gem' is the cultivar name.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and root them in a free-draining medium with protection from drying out. Cuttings preserve the cultivar; seedlings will not reliably match it.

Accepted botanical name

Buxus

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.