Why Boxwood Is Everywhere
Boxwood is the most popular formal hedge and foundation shrub in American landscapes. Its dense evergreen foliage, tolerance of heavy shearing, and classic appearance make it the default choice for hedges, borders, topiaries, and foundation plantings. There are over 200 cultivars, but most residential plantings use a handful of reliable varieties.
Popular Boxwood Varieties
| Variety | Height | Growth Rate | Zones | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Velvet | 3 to 4 ft | Slow | 4 to 9 | Low formal hedges, cold-hardy |
| Winter Gem | 3 to 4 ft | Medium | 5 to 9 | Foundation plantings, hedges |
| Dee Runk | 7 to 9 ft | Medium | 6 to 8 | Columnar accent, narrow spaces |
| Green Mountain | 4 to 5 ft | Slow | 4 to 9 | Pyramidal form, cold-hardy |
| Sprinter (NewGen) | 2 to 4 ft | Fast | 5 to 9 | Blight-resistant, modern breeding |
Boxwood Blight
Boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata) is a fungal disease that defoliates and kills boxwood. Symptoms: dark brown leaf spots, black streaks on stems, rapid defoliation starting at the base and moving upward. It spreads through splashing water, contaminated tools, and infected nursery stock. Once established, it persists in soil and leaf debris for years.
Prevention is the only reliable strategy: buy from reputable nurseries, inspect new plants, sanitize pruning tools between plants (10% bleach solution), and choose blight-resistant varieties (NewGen series, ‘Sprinter’, ‘Green Gem’). There is no cure for heavily infected plants. Remove and destroy them (do not compost).
