Also known as Boxwood · 1.3k gardener saves
Buxus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Buxus, the genus most gardeners know as boxwood. We track 26 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Buxus varieties
Of 26 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGreen Velvet Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens 'Green Velvet'
#2 most savedGreen Mountain Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens 'Green Mountain'
#3 most savedBoxwood Sprinter
Buxus x hybrida 'Sprinter'
Common Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens
Dwarf English Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'
Wintergreen Boxwood
Buxus microphylla 'Wintergreen'
Winter Gem Boxwood
Buxus microphylla 'Winter Gem'
Wintergreen Boxwood
Buxus 'Wilson'
Green Gem Boxwood
Buxus 'Green Gem'
NewGen Freedom Boxwood
Buxus microphylla 'Newgen Freedom'
Boxwood
Buxus microphylla 'Gregem'
Chicagoland Green Boxwood
Buxus 'Glencoe'
Browse all 26 Buxus varieties →
How to grow Buxus
What the Buxus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 26 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Buxus year
- PruneMay and June100% of varieties
Shear or prune after the spring growth flush to maintain desired shape.
- FertilizeMarch100% of varieties
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.
- Check for PestsApril–July85% of varieties
Inspect for boxwood leafminer, psyllids, and mites, especially on new growth.
- MulchMarch, April and October50% of varieties
Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch to conserve moisture and protect roots.
Do
- Water at the base of the plant to keep foliage dry.
- Prune with sharp, clean tools to create clean cuts.
- Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry spells.
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
Avoid
- Do not plant in poorly drained or waterlogged soils.
- Avoid overhead watering, which can encourage fungal diseases.
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not plant in poorly drained, wet soil.
What goes wrong with Buxus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Boxwood Leafminer | Blisters or blotches on leaves, which turn yellow or brown. Small orange flies emerge in spring. | Prune and destroy infested foliage before adults emerge. Use sticky traps. Apply spinosad or a systemic insecticide in spring. |
| Boxwood Psyllid | Cupping of new leaves, which shelter the small, sap-sucking insects covered in a waxy secretion. | Damage is mostly cosmetic. Prune off affected tips. Spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap in spring. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on foliage; leaves appear stippled or bronzed. | Spray with a strong jet of water. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. |
| Boxwood Mite | Webbing and stippling on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Boxwood Blight | Rapid leaf drop, circular leaf spots with dark borders, and black streaks on stems. | Remove and destroy infected plants. Improve air circulation. Apply fungicides like chlorothalonil or mancozeb as a preventative. |
| Root Rot | Stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and decaying roots, often caused by poorly drained soil. | Improve soil drainage. Reduce watering. Drench with a fungicide labeled for Phytophthora. Prevention is key. |
| Volutella Blight | Pinkish-orange fungal spores on dying stems and leaves. | Prune out and destroy infected branches in dry weather. Improve air circulation. |
Making more Buxus
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch cuttings in late summer from current season's growth.
- Remove lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
- Insert into a mix of sand and peat.
- Keep moist and humid; roots form in 8-12 weeks.
Semi-hardwood Cuttings
- Take 4-inch cuttings in late summer.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom two inches.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Stick in a mix of perlite and peat, and keep moist.
Buxus questions
How many types of Buxus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 26 distinct Buxus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.3k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Buxus grow in?
Across its varieties, Buxus covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Buxus bloom?
Most Buxus varieties bloom in spring, early spring, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Buxus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Buxus
Buxus shows up in
Design with Buxus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
