28 Types of Boxwood Shrubs- (Identification, With Pictures)

Boxwood shrubs are the classic evergreens of formal gardens. Their small, glossy leaves and dense branches can be clipped into crisp hedges, low edging, globes, cones and topiary, and they hold their shape for decades. They are also prized for being deer-resistant and for staying green through winter.

Boxwoods belong to a genus of slow-growing evergreen shrubs and small trees native to Europe, Asia, Africa and parts of Central America and the Caribbean. Most garden boxwoods come from three groups: common boxwood from Europe, littleleaf and Japanese boxwood from Japan, and Korean boxwood from Korea and China. Ohio State University notes that about 400 cultivars of common boxwood alone outnumber the cultivars of littleleaf and Korean boxwood combined.

Boxwoods have faced serious new threats in recent years. Boxwood blight, a fungal disease that causes rapid leaf drop, was first found in the United States in 2011, and the box tree moth, an invasive caterpillar from Asia, has spread across Europe and into North America. Choosing a cultivar with better disease and pest resistance is now one of the most important decisions a gardener can make.

Boxwoods grow best in well-drained soil with morning sun and some afternoon shade. Most are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8, though some Korean and hybrid types survive zone 4 winters. The 28 boxwoods below include the main species, classic hedge plants, columnar forms, dwarf types and new disease-resistant introductions, along with where each one comes from or is grown today.

1. Common Boxwood

Common boxwood is the most widely grown boxwood in the world. Its leaves are small, oval and dark glossy green. It grows into a dense, rounded shrub or small tree. Older plants can reach 15 to 20 feet tall. It grows slowly. It has a distinctive scent that some people love and others dislike.

It has been used in European gardens since Roman times. It is the parent of hundreds of named cultivars. It is also called American boxwood in the United States. Its wood is hard and fine-grained and was once used for carving and instruments. It is one of the boxwoods most susceptible to boxwood blight. It is native to southern and western Europe, North Africa and western Asia.

2. English Boxwood

English boxwood is the classic edging boxwood of historic gardens. Its leaves are small, rounded and soft green. It grows into dense, billowy mounds. It grows extremely slowly, often only an inch a year. It stays 2 to 3 feet tall for many years. It is a dwarf form of common boxwood.

It has lined garden paths in Europe and colonial America for centuries. It is hardy in zones 6 to 8. It is highly susceptible to boxwood blight. It needs good drainage and some shade in hot climates. Its slow growth makes it expensive to buy at large sizes. It originated in European gardens and is grown in the eastern United States, Britain and Europe.

3. Japanese Boxwood

Japanese boxwood is a fast-growing, heat-tolerant boxwood. Its leaves are rounded, glossy and bright green. It grows into a loose, open shrub. It reaches 4 to 6 feet tall. It tolerates heat and humidity better than common boxwood. Its leaves may bronze in cold winters.

It is popular in the American South, where common boxwood struggles. It responds well to shearing. It is often used for hedges and foundation plantings. It is less cold-hardy than Korean boxwood. Several important cultivars come from it. It is native to Japan and Taiwan.

4. Korean Boxwood

Korean boxwood is one of the hardiest boxwoods. Its leaves are small and medium green. It grows into a low, spreading mound. It reaches about 2 to 3 feet tall. Its leaves often turn bronze or brown in winter. It grows slowly.

It survives winters in zone 4 and even colder sites. It is a parent of many cold-hardy hybrid boxwoods. Its compact form, Nana, is among the most blight-resistant boxwoods. It suits low hedges and edging in cold climates. It is less refined in summer appearance than common boxwood. It is native to Korea and northern China.

5. Littleleaf Boxwood

Littleleaf boxwood is a compact boxwood with small leaves. Its leaves are thin, light green and smaller than those of common boxwood. It forms a loose, rounded shrub. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall. Its leaves often yellow or bronze in winter. It grows at a moderate rate.

It is the parent group of Japanese boxwood and many dwarf cultivars. It tolerates heat better than common boxwood. It is often used for low hedges. Many small, slow-growing selections come from it. It suits small gardens and containers. It is known only from cultivation in Japan and is grown throughout North America and Europe.

6. Harland Boxwood

Harland boxwood is a narrow-leaved Asian boxwood. Its leaves are long, slender and bright green. It grows into a loose, upright shrub. It reaches 2 to 3 feet tall. It grows quickly for a boxwood. It has a soft, fine texture.

Virginia Tech lists it among the most blight-resistant boxwoods recommended for new plantings. It is heat-tolerant and suits the Deep South. It is hardy in zones 7 to 10. It is less cold-hardy than most boxwoods. It suits warm-climate hedges and containers. It is native to southern China.

7. Balearic Boxwood

Balearic boxwood is a large-leaved Mediterranean boxwood. Its leaves are big, leathery and bright green. They are the largest of any common garden boxwood. It grows into a tall shrub or small tree. It can reach 10 to 15 feet. It grows faster than most boxwoods.

It tolerates heat, drought and coastal conditions. It is less cold-hardy than common boxwood. It is grown mainly in mild climates. It suits informal hedges and screens. It is rare in North American gardens. It is native to the Balearic Islands, southern Spain and northern Morocco.

8. Green Velvet

Green Velvet is one of the most popular hybrid boxwoods. Its leaves are rich green and hold their color well in winter. It grows into a full, rounded shrub. It reaches about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. It grows at a moderate rate. It shears well.

It is hardy in zones 4 to 8. It is a cross between Korean and common boxwood. It is popular for hedges and foundation plantings. It is quite susceptible to boxwood leafminer. It has moderate susceptibility to boxwood blight. It was bred in Ontario, Canada, and is grown across North America.

9. Green Mountain

Green Mountain is an upright hybrid boxwood. Its leaves are dark green and hold their color in winter. It grows into a natural pyramid or cone shape. It reaches about 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It grows at a moderate rate. It needs little shaping to stay neat.

Virginia Tech lists it among the Sheridan hybrids of common and littleleaf boxwood. It is popular for formal hedges and accent plants. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8. It is moderately susceptible to boxwood blight. It is very susceptible to boxwood leafminer. It was bred in Ontario, Canada, and is grown across North America.

10. Green Mound

Green Mound is a compact, rounded hybrid boxwood. Its leaves are medium green. It grows into a tidy mound about 3 feet tall and wide. It grows slowly. It keeps a neat shape with little pruning. It holds its color fairly well in winter.

It is another of the cold-hardy Sheridan hybrids. It suits low hedges, borders and containers. It is moderately susceptible to boxwood blight. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8. It is a good substitute for English boxwood in colder areas. It was bred in Ontario, Canada, and is grown across North America.

11. Green Gem

Green Gem is a small, globe-shaped hybrid boxwood. Its leaves are deep green. It forms a tight, round ball. It grows about 2 feet tall and wide. It grows very slowly. It holds its color well in winter.

It is one of the hardiest boxwoods. It is rated moderately resistant to boxwood blight. It suits low hedges, edging and formal accents. It needs little pruning. It works well in containers. It was bred in Ontario, Canada, and is grown across North America.

12. Glencoe

Glencoe is a cold-hardy hybrid boxwood. It is sold under the trade name Chicagoland Green. Its leaves are dark green and hold their color in winter. It grows into an oval to rounded shrub. It reaches about 3 to 4 feet tall. It grows at a moderate rate.

It was selected for harsh Midwest winters. It is hardy to zone 4. It resists winter burn better than many boxwoods. It suits hedges in cold climates. It is popular in the Upper Midwest. It was selected at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Illinois and is grown in the Midwest and Northeast.

13. Winter Gem

Winter Gem is a cold-hardy littleleaf boxwood. Its leaves are rich green in summer. They may bronze slightly in winter. It grows into a rounded, compact shrub. It reaches about 3 to 4 feet tall. It grows at a moderate rate.

It is rated moderately resistant to boxwood blight. It also has good resistance to boxwood leafminer. It is hardy in zones 5 to 9. It suits hedges and foundation plantings. It shears well. It is grown across North America.

14. Wintergreen

Wintergreen is a cold-hardy Korean boxwood. Its leaves are small and bright green. It holds its green color well in winter. It grows into a rounded, compact shrub. It reaches about 3 to 4 feet tall. It grows slowly.

It is one of the most popular boxwoods in the northern United States. It is hardy in zones 5 to 8 or colder. Virginia Tech lists it among the boxwoods with good blight tolerance. It also resists leafminer. It suits hedges and edging. It is grown across the northern United States and Canada.

15. Dee Runk

Dee Runk is a tall, columnar boxwood. Its leaves are dark green. It grows into a narrow, upright column. It can reach about 8 feet tall. It stays only about 2 feet wide. It grows at a moderate rate.

Cornell University describes it as a tall columnar boxwood up to 8 feet. It is rated moderately resistant to boxwood blight. It is ideal for narrow spaces and formal accents. It works well flanking doorways and gates. It is a cultivar of common boxwood. It is grown in the eastern United States.

16. Graham Blandy

Graham Blandy is a narrow, columnar boxwood. Its leaves are dark green. It grows into a very slender, upright column. It reaches 8 to 15 feet tall. It stays only about 1 to 2 feet wide. It grows slowly.

It is one of the narrowest boxwoods available. It is used as a living exclamation point in formal gardens. It is named after the founder of a Virginia research farm. It is highly susceptible to boxwood blight. It needs protection from heavy snow. It originated in Virginia and is grown in the eastern United States.

17. Fastigiata

Fastigiata is an upright, pyramidal boxwood. Its leaves are dark green. It grows into a narrow cone or column. It reaches 10 to 12 feet tall. It stays 3 to 4 feet wide. It grows at a moderate rate.

It is a cultivar of common boxwood. It is rated moderately resistant to boxwood blight. It suits formal hedges, screens and accents. It needs little pruning to keep its shape. It is hardy in zones 5 to 8. It is grown in North America and Europe.

18. Vardar Valley

Vardar Valley is a low, spreading boxwood. Its leaves are dark blue-green. It grows into a flat-topped mound. It reaches 2 to 3 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide. It grows slowly. It holds its color well in winter.

It was collected in the wild in the Balkans. North Carolina State University lists it as hardy in zones 5 to 8 and notes it developed more disease in later blight trials. It is one of the hardiest forms of common boxwood. It suits low hedges and groundcover plantings. It resists winter burn. It is native to the Vardar River valley of the Balkans and is grown in North America and Europe.

19. Elegantissima

Elegantissima is a variegated boxwood. Its leaves are small and green with creamy white edges. The variegation brightens shady corners. It grows into a dense, rounded shrub. It reaches 3 to 5 feet tall. It grows slowly.

It is one of the most popular variegated boxwoods. It suits containers, accents and formal gardens. It is highly susceptible to boxwood blight. It needs some shade to avoid scorching. It is a cultivar of common boxwood. It is grown in Europe and North America.

20. Golden Dream

Golden Dream is a gold-variegated boxwood. Its leaves are green with bright golden-yellow edges. The color brightens borders and containers. It grows into a compact, rounded shrub. It reaches 2 to 3 feet tall. It grows slowly.

Virginia Tech lists it among the most blight-resistant boxwood cultivars. It also has strong resistance to boxwood leafminer. It suits low hedges and edging. It holds its color in sun or light shade. It is a cultivar of littleleaf boxwood. It is grown across North America and Europe.

21. Green Beauty

Green Beauty is a heat-tolerant Japanese boxwood. Its leaves are glossy and dark green. They hold their color through winter and summer heat. It grows into an upright, rounded shrub. It reaches 4 to 6 feet tall. It grows at a moderate rate.

Virginia Tech rates it among the most blight-resistant boxwoods. It is very susceptible to boxwood leafminer, however. It is popular in the South for its heat tolerance. It shears well into hedges. It is hardy in zones 6 to 8. It is grown in the southern and mid-Atlantic United States.

22. Justin Brouwers

Justin Brouwers is a dwarf, rounded boxwood. Its leaves are small and dark green. It forms a tight, dense mound. It grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. It grows slowly. It looks much like English boxwood.

It became very popular as a substitute for English boxwood. It is highly susceptible to boxwood blight. It is also very susceptible to boxwood leafminer. It suits low hedges and edging. It holds its color well in winter. It is grown in the eastern United States.

23. Morris Midget

Morris Midget is a very dwarf boxwood. Its leaves are tiny and bright green. It forms a tight, low mound. It stays about 1 foot tall. It grows extremely slowly. It needs almost no pruning.

It is a cultivar of Japanese boxwood. It is ideal for miniature gardens, knot gardens and rock gardens. It works well in containers and bonsai. It suits edging small beds. It is hardy in zones 6 to 8. It is grown in North America and Europe.

24. Grace Hendrick Phillips

Grace Hendrick Phillips is another very dwarf boxwood. Its leaves are tiny and medium green. It forms a dense, low cushion. It stays under a foot tall. It grows extremely slowly. It spreads a little wider than tall.

It is a cultivar of littleleaf boxwood. It is moderately susceptible to boxwood blight. It suits rock gardens, miniature gardens and tiny hedges. It works well in troughs and containers. It needs little care. It is grown in North America.

25. North Star

North Star is a compact, globe-shaped boxwood. Its leaves are dark green and glossy. It forms a dense, round ball. It grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. It grows slowly. It holds its color well.

Cornell University describes it as a dense globe that is boxwood blight resistant. It is hardy in zones 5 to 9. It suits low hedges, edging and containers. It needs little pruning to stay round. It is a good replacement for blight-prone dwarf types. It is grown across North America.

26. Sprinter

Sprinter is a fast-growing boxwood for hedges. Its leaves are glossy and dark green. It grows into a dense, upright shrub. It reaches 2 to 4 feet tall. It grows faster than most boxwoods. It fills in hedges quickly.

It is hardy in zones 5 to 8. It holds its color well in winter. It is popular for new hedges and borders. It shears well. It was introduced in Europe. It is grown across North America and Europe.

27. NewGen Independence

NewGen Independence is a new disease-resistant boxwood. Its leaves are deep green and very glossy. It grows into a rounded shrub. It reaches about 3 feet tall and wide. It holds its color all winter. It grows at a steady rate.

It was bred by Saunders Brothers in Virginia after years of field trials. It has good resistance to boxwood blight and boxwood leafminer. It is hardy in zones 5b to 8. It was introduced to the market in 2020. It is a strong choice for gardens where blight is a concern. It was developed in Virginia and is grown across the eastern and central United States.

28. NewGen Freedom

NewGen Freedom is the companion to NewGen Independence. Its leaves are dark green. It grows into a rounded shrub slightly taller than wide. It reaches about 3.5 feet tall. It grows a little faster than Independence. It is best pruned to keep a tight form.

It has good resistance to boxwood blight and boxwood leafminer. It is hardy in zones 5 to 8. It is deer and rabbit resistant. It is not recommended for sites with active blight outbreaks. It was introduced alongside NewGen Independence in 2020. It was developed in Virginia and is grown across the eastern and central United States.