3 named cultivars

shrub

Korean Boxwood

Buxus sinica

Same species

3 named cultivars

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

60 inches

Width

144 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low to medium; well-drained soil, dry foliage

Humidity

Dislikes prolonged leaf wetness and still humid air

Lifespan

Long-lived where blight is kept out

Native To

China and Taiwan

Toxicity

Foliage is toxic if eaten; not a food plant

The Story

Plant Bio

Buxus sinica, Chinese or Korean box, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub from China and Taiwan with an erect, spreading habit, reaching roughly 2 to 10 ft tall and considerably wider. Bright green lustrous oblong leaves about 1.5 in long sit closely on square-sectioned stems. Small green flowers open in spring and are barely noticeable. It is the cold-hardiest box in common cultivation, which is why its Korean variety underpins so many hedging cultivars in northern gardens. The foliage often bronzes over winter and greens again in spring. Its stems are square in cross-section, an easy field distinction from other broadleaf evergreens of similar leaf.

Uses & Benefits:

Fine bright green evergreen texture that clips crisply into low hedges, edging and simple topiary shapes.

The hardiest box for cold gardens, tolerating deer, drought and a wide pH range once established.

Provides dense low evergreen cover, though as an introduced shrub it offers limited wildlife value.

Planting

How to Grow

Choose full sun to partial shade with shelter from winter wind.
Plant into well-drained soil of any pH; avoid heavy wet ground.
Set the root ball slightly proud of grade rather than deep.
Mulch thinly, keeping the mulch clear of the stems.
Water at the base only, never over the foliage.
Thin the interior each winter so light and air reach inside.

Pro Tip

Thin the interior rather than only shearing the surface; a dense outer shell holds moisture and is what lets blight take hold.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Thin the interior each winter to open the plant up ✂️
Water at soil level to keep the foliage dry 💧
Clean tools between plants when pruning 🧼
Quarantine new plants for a season before planting out 🪴

Don't

Do not shear only the outer shell year after year ❌
Do not water overhead or work in the plants when wet ❌
Do not add boxwood clippings or leaf litter to compost ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Blight Inspection
Interior Thinning

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Low clipped hedge and formal parterre edgingEvergreen structure along walkways and stepsContainers and topiary on a terrace

Companion Plants

Hellebore Yew Lavender Japanese holly Bearded iris

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Korean Boxwood questions

What zones can Korean Boxwood grow in?

Korean Boxwood is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Korean Boxwood deer resistant?

Yes — Korean Boxwood is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Korean Boxwood bloom?

Korean Boxwood typically blooms in spring, small and inconspicuous through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Korean Boxwood need full sun?

Korean Boxwood does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Korean Boxwood drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Korean Boxwood handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.