Winter Gem boxwood

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade and shelter from drying winter winds are helpful in exposed gardens.

Water

Moderate; water deeply during establishment and prolonged dry spells, allowing the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings.

Soil

Well-drained soil with steady moisture; tolerates clay if drainage is good and grows best in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil.

Height

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m), potentially larger with age if left unclipped

Spread

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m), potentially wider with age if left unclipped

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, opposite, oval leaves; fresh growth is light green, becoming darker and leathery. Winter bronzing is possible, especially in sun and wind.

Growth

Slow to moderate

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• 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

   2 ft (0.61 m)

3. After 2 years

   2.3 ft (0.72 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.7 ft (0.82 m)

5. After 5 years

   3 ft (1 m)

About 7 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

• Plant with the root flare at soil level; avoid low spots where water collects.
• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons and during extended drought afterward.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it away from the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or a soil test indicates a deficiency.
• Water at soil level and remove fallen diseased leaves to reduce disease spread.
• Check regularly for caterpillars, webbing and sudden leaf loss where box tree moth occurs.

Pruning. Prune in late spring after the main flush of growth, removing dead wood and selectively thinning crowded shoots before lightly clipping the outline. Keep hedge bases wider than their tops, avoid cutting during hot drought conditions, and stop clipping well before autumn frosts.

Spring

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

Spring

Check winter-browned shoots for live buds before removing them; feed only if needed.

Late spring

Lightly shape after the first growth flush and thin crowded branches.

Summer

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

Autumn

Remove fallen diseased leaves and water deeply before freezing weather if the soil is dry.

Winter

Gently brush off heavy, loose snow before it splays branches; avoid handling frozen stems.

• Clip into low hedges to edge paths or divide planting beds.
• Repeat rounded shrubs among roses and flowering perennials to provide structure after flowers fade.
• Use in parterres and knot gardens for clearly defined evergreen patterns.
• Grow as simple balls or domes beside entrances, in the ground or in large, well-drained containers.

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

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

Wildlife: Small, inconspicuous spring flowers attract bees and other insects if the shrub is allowed to flower. Dense foliage offers shelter for small birds, though frequent clipping reduces its value.

• Boxwood blight causes leaf spots, dark stem streaks and rapid leaf drop. Stop clipping affected plants, disinfect tools, remove infected material and seek local advice; badly affected plants may need removal.
• Box tree moth caterpillars strip leaves and leave webbing. Hand-pick small infestations or use a locally approved treatment targeting young caterpillars, following the label.
• Boxwood leafminer causes blistered, yellowish leaves. Prune out affected growth before adults emerge where practical, and seek locally timed treatment advice for persistent infestations.
• Root rot causes yellowing, wilting and dieback in wet soil. Correct drainage and avoid overwatering; remove badly affected plants rather than replanting boxwood in the same saturated spot.

All parts are toxic if eaten by people, cats, dogs and horses. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain; larger amounts can cause serious poisoning, particularly in horses. Keep clippings away from pets and livestock; sap may irritate sensitive skin.

• Common box (Buxus sempervirens)

  Usually has larger, more elongated, dark green leaves and can become a much larger shrub. Cultivars overlap in appearance, so foliage alone may not establish identity.

• Japanese holly (Ilex crenata)

  Leaves are alternate rather than opposite and usually have finely scalloped edges; female plants may carry black berries.

• Wintergreen boxwood (Buxus sinica var. insularis 'Wintergreen')

  Another small-leaved, rounded boxwood with very similar foliage. A reliable nursery label is usually needed to distinguish these cultivars confidently.

The species name microphylla means small-leaved, referring to the shrub's compact foliage.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer to early autumn and root them in a free-draining medium under humid conditions. Cuttings preserve the cultivar; seedlings do not reliably come true.

Accepted botanical name

Buxus microphylla

Native range

Japan.

Measured

Average height 81 cm.

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