Elegantissima boxwood is a variegated evergreen that brings light and brightness to the garden. Its small green leaves are edged in creamy white, giving the whole plant a soft, silvery glow from a distance. Where most boxwoods offer solid green, Elegantissima adds contrast and sparkle, especially in shady corners.
This compact shrub is a form of common boxwood and shares its fine texture and tolerance of clipping. It is a favorite for containers, low hedges, formal accents and mixed borders where a touch of brightness is welcome. With the right placement and care, it stays attractive all year.
Botanical Classification
Elegantissima belongs to the box family, a small group of evergreen shrubs that also includes pachysandra and sweet box. It is a cultivar of common boxwood, the species native to southern and western Europe, North Africa and western Asia.
Its name means “most elegant” in Latin, a nod to its refined, variegated foliage. It is one of several variegated forms of common boxwood, including types with gold or yellow edges. Elegantissima is the best known of the white-edged forms.
Brief History
Variegated boxwoods have been grown in European gardens for centuries. Gardeners in Britain and continental Europe prized them for adding light to formal gardens and for creating patterns alongside solid green boxwoods in parterres and knot gardens.
Elegantissima became especially popular for its neat habit and crisp white margins. It spread from European gardens to North America and is now widely sold in nurseries across the United States and Canada. It remains one of the most popular variegated evergreen shrubs for small gardens.
Identifying Characteristics
Elegantissima has small, narrow oval leaves, usually less than an inch long. Each leaf has a gray-green center surrounded by an irregular creamy white edge. The variegation varies slightly from leaf to leaf, giving the plant a soft, speckled look.
It grows into a dense, rounded to slightly upright oval shrub. Mature plants typically reach about 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, though this takes many years. It grows slowly, often only a few inches a year.
Its leaves are smaller than those of most common boxwoods, which gives the plant a fine texture. Like other common boxwoods, its leaves have a musky scent. In early spring, it produces tiny, fragrant, pale yellow-green flowers that attract bees but are easy to overlook.
Landscape Uses
Elegantissima is excellent for brightening shady areas. Its white-edged leaves stand out against darker plants and help lighten up dim corners, north-facing walls and woodland edges. It pairs beautifully with dark green boxwoods, hostas, ferns and burgundy-leaved plants.
It makes an attractive low hedge or border, especially in formal gardens and around patios. Planted in a row, it creates a soft, silvery edge that contrasts with flower beds and lawns. It also works well in knot gardens and parterres alongside solid green boxwood.
It is a popular choice for containers, window boxes and topiary. Small clipped balls or cones of Elegantissima make elegant accents near entrances. Like other boxwoods, it is deer-resistant, and all parts of the plant are toxic if eaten.
Growing Considerations
Elegantissima is generally hardy from about USDA zone 5 to zone 8, though it performs best in zones 6 to 8. It grows well in the Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Northwest and parts of the Northeast and Midwest.
It grows best in partial shade. The white parts of its leaves are more sensitive to sunburn than solid green leaves, so it benefits from protection from hot afternoon sun. In cooler climates, it can tolerate more sun, especially in the morning.
Good drainage is essential. Like all boxwoods, it can develop root rot in soggy soil. It grows best in loose, well-drained soil enriched with compost, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 6.5 to 7.0.
Its roots are shallow, so a thin layer of mulch, about 1 to 2 inches, helps keep them cool and moist. Mulch should not touch the stems. Water young plants regularly, and give established plants a deep watering during dry spells and in fall before the ground freezes.
Pruning and Care
Elegantissima needs only light pruning because of its slow growth and naturally dense shape. Trim it in late spring after new growth hardens. Formal shapes may need a second light trim in early summer.
Occasionally, a shoot with solid green leaves may appear. These reverted shoots grow faster than variegated ones and can take over if left alone. Cut them out at their base as soon as they appear to keep the plant fully variegated.
Avoid pruning in late summer or fall, which can trigger tender growth that is damaged by frost. Thinning a few interior branches each year lets in light and air and helps reduce disease. Light fertilizer in spring can help if growth is weak.
Pests and Diseases
Elegantissima is highly susceptible to boxwood blight, a fungal disease first found in the United States in 2011. Blight causes dark leaf spots, black streaks on stems and rapid leaf drop, and it spreads in warm, humid weather. Buying plants from reputable nurseries, spacing them for good airflow and watering at the base of the plant all help reduce the risk.
It can also be affected by the boxwood leafminer, whose larvae tunnel inside the leaves, as well as boxwood psyllids and spider mites. Root rot can occur in poorly drained soils. Leaf scorch is common on plants grown in hot afternoon sun.
The invasive box tree moth, whose caterpillars can strip boxwoods of their leaves, has spread across Europe and into parts of North America. Gardeners should watch for webbing and chewed leaves in late spring and summer.
Elegantissima vs. Other Variegated Boxwoods
Elegantissima is one of several variegated boxwoods. Golden Dream is a littleleaf boxwood with green leaves edged in bright gold. It is among the most resistant boxwoods to both boxwood blight and leafminer, making it a strong alternative in areas where disease is a concern.
Other variegated forms of common boxwood have yellow or gold edges and a slightly looser habit. Elegantissima stands out for its crisp white margins and fine texture. For gardeners who want a soft, silvery look and can provide good growing conditions, it remains a classic choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does Elegantissima boxwood get? Elegantissima usually grows about 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. It reaches this size slowly over many years. Regular light trimming can keep it smaller.
Does Elegantissima boxwood need sun or shade? It grows best in partial shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade helps prevent the white leaf edges from scorching. In cooler climates, it can handle more sun.
Why are some branches on my Elegantissima turning solid green? Those are reverted shoots, which have lost their variegation. They grow faster than variegated shoots and can take over the plant. Cut them out at their base as soon as you notice them.
Is Elegantissima boxwood resistant to boxwood blight? No, it is highly susceptible to boxwood blight. Good airflow, careful watering and buying from reputable nurseries help reduce the risk. Golden Dream is a more blight-resistant variegated alternative.
How fast does Elegantissima boxwood grow? It grows slowly, often only a few inches a year. Its slow growth helps it keep a neat shape with little pruning. Growth is fastest in rich, well-drained soil with steady moisture.
Can Elegantissima boxwood grow in containers? Yes, it grows well in containers and makes an attractive accent on patios and near entrances. Containers need good drainage and regular watering. In cold climates, potted plants should be protected in winter.
Sources
Virginia Tech, “Boxwood (Buxus species)”
Virginia Tech, “Boxwood Blight Resistant and Susceptible Cultivars”