15 Amazing Types of Boxwood Shrubs for Landscaping

American Boxwood

Despite its name, this boxwood type is original to Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its affinity for cold climates fueled its migration west, distinguishing itself from English boxwood with its narrow, spear-tipped foliage. 

Leaves grow in close-knit pairs along short branches. Emerging in bright chartreuse before maturing to dark green, giving the shrub a dynamic, two-toned appearance throughout the growing season.

The American boxwood is long-lived and matures to a potential 10-12ft in height, in zones 5-9. Preferring full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil, this cultivar is highly sought-after for its hardiness and resistance to pests and disease.

Titan Boxwood Shrub

Occupying the top position in the dwarf category is the Titan. While typically grown as a low hedge or small topiary, this boxwood can grow to 6ft, in height. It’s also incredibly robust. Staying green and resilient through sub-zero temperatures and excessive heat, in zones 4-9.

With a spherical growing habit, the Titan prefers full to partial sun and well-drained soil. This cultivar can brown in prolonged sun exposure, though. In warmer climates, afternoon shade is ideal. 

To add to its already impressive resume, the Titan boxwood also emits a subtle fragrance that repels deer and rabbits.

Japanese Boxwood

Presents larger leaves that are often tinged with red edges, and more pronounced flowers than the American or Titan varieties. The Japanese family of boxwoods shine a more vibrant shade of green and can mature to a much larger 6ft tall and wide, in zones 6-9. Expect a show of delicate creamy flowers with a delightful fragrance in late spring.

While perfect for privacy hedges, these will tolerate heavy pruning when grown as potted topiaries or foundation plantings.

New plants are quick to establish and become relatively low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and repellent of wildlife.

These are adaptable to a range of soil types that are well-draining. Yet, prefer partial sun positioning. Full winter sun will result in brown foliage.

Dee Runk Boxwood

The Dee Runk boxwood is unique in its class for its tall, conical, and relaxed growth habit. Young leaves emerge pale green, then develop to a deeper shade. In time, adult leaves take on shadows of blue and grey-green.

Growing to a mature size of 8ft by 3ft, this narrow, tree-like shrub beautifully complements other plants in borders and around entranceways. It’s also sought after for privacy hedges in tight spaces, as it thrives in the shade of nearby buildings.

Slow-growing, this unusual type of boxwood requires very little pruning but prefers consistently moist soil, in zones 6-8.

Baby Gem Boxwood Shrub

The vibrant Baby Gem matures to a compact 3ft tall and wide, which generates a slower growth rate of just 1.5” per year. Offering the benefit of lower maintenance than other cultivars, in zones 5-9.

Thickset leaflets blanket a network of stout, sturdy branches. Adaptable to most soil types, the Baby Gem will maintain its bright color through winter, provided that it receives partial shade and well-draining soil.

Inconspicuous flowers emit a pleasant fragrance that signals the plant’s toxicity to deer and rabbits. Popular uses include dense, low-growing hedges, individual border plantings, and rounded topiaries. 

Green Mountain Boxwood Shrub

The Green Mountain boxwood matures to double the height of the Baby Gem and grows in a conical shape that makes sculpting and shaping a snap. Quaint topiaries and undulating hedges add an element of refinement and sophistication to contemporary and cottage gardens, alike.

This cold-hardy cultivar grows at an impressive rate of 4” per year and can easily tolerate full summer sun. However, partial winter shade will prevent foliage “bronzing” and frost burn. 

Given their growth habits, Green Mountain boxwoods also make stunning privacy hedges when planted 5-6 feet apart, or as complementary border plantings. 

Wintergreen Boxwood Shrub

Cultivated with increased drought and pest tolerance, the Wintergreen presents lush, two-toned growth, with slightly larger leaves than other varieties, for a softer appearance.

Considered a slow but vigorous grower, this is an ideal boxwood for companion planting just like the one shown here in the image above. The Wintergreen increases its annual size by just 2-3”, reaching a modest 4ft by 3ft, at maturity.

These shrubs prefer full summer sun to stimulate growth and vivid color. Yet, will benefit from partial shade, in winter, to further protect from frost burning on exposed foliage, in zones 4-9.

Wintergreen boxwoods tend to grow best when planted in groupings, making this one of the most successful options for hedge plantings. 

Vardar Valley Boxwood 

A small boxwood variety with an increased tolerance for cold winters is the Vardar Valley. Seasonal pruning stimulates sage and blue leaves that bud in alternating pairs on new growth. 

This 2-3’ tall shrub can spread 6ft across, at a rate of 2” per year, in zones 5-8. Unassuming florets exude a delicate scent that attracts bees and other pollinators while repelling deer and rabbits. 

According to Peter del Tredic, an American botanist at the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, since its introduction in 1957, the Vardar Valley has shown impressive resistance to pests and devastating boxwood blight. 

Green Velvet Boxwood

Buxus ‘Green Velvet’  is well-known as a textural boxwood. Also cultivated in Ontario, Canada, thick, velvety leaves insulate it against -30°F (-34°C) temperatures.

In summer, its compact growing habit is softened by open-form leaf clusters on wide-spreading branches, Together, reaching a mature size of 2-4ft tall and wide, at a rate of 6-12” per year, in optimal conditions. 

In zones 4-9, these conditions include full sun to partial shade and an array of well-draining soils.

For added protection against frost damage, these can be securely wrapped in burlap and well-mulched prior to the first heavy snowfall. 

Variegated Boxwood Shrub

Standing 5ft tall and wide, at maturity, this striking boxwood presents dainty, green leaves with pale yellow and white trim. In small gardens, visual drama is created with a single plant. Low maintenance is also a prime feature of this type of boxwood, with a slow growth rate of 1-2” per year. 

Tolerant of different soil structures, this variegated beauty prefers full to partial sun. Once established, it’s also quite drought and cold-tolerant (down to -10°F), in zones 6-8.

Typical of boxwoods, this variety has a natural deer and rabbit repellent and has been cultivated for increased pest and disease resistance. 

Sprinter Dwarf Boxwood Shrub

In need of a fast-growing boxwood? Consider this robust offshoot of the Winter Gem. As the name implies, the sprinter is the fastest-growing boxwood available. Reaching a mature size of 4ft tall and wide, at a rate of 24”, per year, in zones 5-8.

With a rounded, growing habit, this evergreen maintains its rich color, right through winter. Extending new, outward-reaching branches, in spring. These can be left unpruned for a natural look or sheared back for a manicured appearance.

While loose, loamy soil is preferred, the Sprinter boxwood is unique in its ability to thrive in salty, sandy, coastal environments. 

English Boxwood Shrub

This dwarf variety (Buxus sempervirens suffruticosa) is a favorite in warm climates. Yet, being native to high-precipitation areas, it requires more shade than others.

Maturing to an average size of 2ft x 2ft, glossy green leaves grow with flat sides facing outward, creating a smooth appearance. Which lasts for quite some time, without maintenance, given its slow growth rate of .05-1”, per year, in zones 5-8.

Buxus sempervirens ‘Nana Variegata’ is the ornate version of this cultivar. Presenting showy leaves, similar to those of a common variegated boxwood. Yet, with a more petite profile. 

Morris Midget Boxwood 

Despite its petite profile, the Morris midget presents leaves that are twice as wide as those on larger specimens. When left unpruned, the cold-hardy Morris can even grow to 4ft tall and wide, in zones 4-9.

The texture and sheen of this cultivar make it a great choice for planting around kitchen gardens or as accents against the weathered tones of rock gardens. 

While resistant to pests, this dense growing habit of this boxwood may increase its susceptibility to fungal diseases, like blight. A seasonal thinning of internal branches will improve air circulation and reduce the risk of infection. 

Coppertone Distylium

This pretty, copper-tinged shrub is actually a member of the witch hazel family, yet closely resembles a boxwood. Warming winter temperatures prompt small red flowers to bud on a rounded form, along with new leaves that emerge in a “Coppertone” hue, before maturing to a rich, blue-green.

In zones 7-9, this multi-colored shrub reaches a maximum size of 4ft tall by 4ft wide and grows quite happily in the ground or in containers. Thriving in full sun or part shade, this sturdy shrub also shows remarkable resistance to disease and insect infestations. 

Steeds Japanese Holly Shrub

Another great option is this cold-hardy Japanese holly. With equally dense growth, this shrub matures to 8ft by 4ft, at a rate of 6-12” per year.

Its natural, pyramid shape means very little pruning is needed to maintain an interesting, evergreen appearance. Adding to its interest are tiny white flowers that develop into ornamental berries. Providing food for birds and other wildlife, in zones 5-9.

This holly prefers at least four hours of full sun per day and is adaptive to various, well-draining soil types. Famously disease resistant, its spiky foliage is a deterrent against deer and rabbits.