Ag Chat from 4/29/26: Landscape Plant: Boxwood

From our Small farms Agent , Anass Banna

LANDSCAPE PLANT: BOXWOOD

Boxwood has long been a cornerstone of southern gardens, especially on historic estates in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. They are ideal for formal gardens with their dense growth habit that allows them to be pruned into hedges, rounded shrubs, and topiaries.

Cultivation

Light: Boxwood grow best in part shade. They can tolerate morning sun so long as they have afternoon shade. Korean boxwood is the most sun-tolerant boxwood. Boxwood grown in full sun are more likely to have cold damage in the winter.

Soil: The ideal soil pH for boxwood is 6.8 to 7.5, which is neutral to slightly alkaline. Most can tolerate a slightly lower pH. Have the soil tested to determine the pH for the best location to plant.

Drainage: Never plant boxwood near downspouts or in any area that stays wet. They require well-drained soil.

Planting Depth: When planting, ensure the top 1/8 of the root ball is above the existing soil level. Deep planting will usually cause loss of plant vigor and sometimes plant death. Boxwood are shallow-rooted plants. Their roots grow in the top 15 inches of soil and spread far beyond the shrub’s drip line.

Watering: Thorough watering encourages the development of a healthy root system. Properly watered plants will be more firmly anchored in the soil and less susceptible to drought and nutritional stress.

Mulching: To maintain vigorous plants, add 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch over the soil surface yearly. Mulching keeps the shallow roots cool and conserves water by minimizing moisture evaporation from the soil. Fertilizing: Boxwood do not need to be fertilized on an annual basis. Have the soil tested to determine if they require fertilization. When a soil test confirms that boxwood do require fertilization, do so in the early spring. Do not fertilize in summer or fall.

Pruning:  Thinning is a type of pruning that reduces the number of branches at the outer edge of the shrub. Preferably, thinning should be done annually. Thinning can be done any time when the temperature is above freezing.

Problems

Boxwood are susceptible to many diseases. Since 2023, boxwood dieback, a fungal

disease, has increased in southern states, including South Carolina. Since 2011,

boxwood blight has become a concern when it reached the United States from

Europe. It was discovered in South Carolina in 2016. Other diseases affecting

boxwood include boxwood decline, foliage and twig blights, and Phytophthora

root rot.

Species and Cultivars : Example: Littleleaf boxwood (Buxus microphylla) is native to Japan. It has the smallest and densest leaves of all the boxwood and a slow growth rate. It can be shaped into topiary, hedges, and bonsai.