What To Plant In Front Of Boxwoods

Choosing what to plant in front of boxwoods can make or break your garden’s look. This guide will help you pick the perfect low-maintenance companion plants that add color and texture without extra work.

Boxwoods are classic shrubs, valued for there structure and year-round greenery. But the space in front of them can sometimes look a bit bare. The right plants will fill that space beautifully, creating layers and interest. You want companions that share the boxwood’s easy-care nature and don’t compete to aggressively for resources.

Great companion plants for boxwoods share a few key traits. They thrive in similar conditions, needing well-drained soil and appreciating some sun. They have non-invasive roots that won’t fight with the boxwood’s shallow system. And importantly, they offer visual contrast in form, color, or bloom time.

Key Considerations Before You Plant

First, check your sunlight. Most boxwoods do well in full sun to part shade. Your companion plants should match that light requirement.

Next, think about mature size. You don’t want plants that will grow to tall and hide your boxwoods. Aim for plants that stay lower, typically under 2 feet for the front edge.

Finally, consider maintenance harmony. Choose plants that, like boxwoods, don’t need constant deadheading, staking, or frequent division.

Top Low-Maintenance Perennial Companions

Perennials are a fantastic choice because they come back year after year. Here are some of the best options:

Catmint (Nepeta): This is a superstar companion. It forms soft, billowing mounds of gray-green foliage covered in lavender-blue flowers for months. It’s drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and just needs a quick shearing after its first bloom.
Salvia (Perennial Sage): With spiky flowers in blue, purple, or pink, salvia adds a vertical contrast to the boxwood’s roundness. Varieties like ‘May Night’ are incredibly tough and bloom repeatedly.
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa): For shady spots, this grass is perfect. Its flowing, golden or variegated leaves soften the boxwood’s formal shape. It grows slowly and just needs cut back in early spring.
Heuchera (Coral Bells): Grown primarily for its stunning foliage in colors like plum, lime, and silver, Heuchera adds a punch of color at ground level. It’s evergreen in milder climates and very easy care.
Geranium (Hardy Cranesbill): Not to be confused with annual geraniums, these form tidy mounds and are covered in saucer-shaped flowers. They’re excellent for filling in and suppressing weeds.

Excellent Annuals for Seasonal Color

If you love to change things up, annuals provide vibrant, seasonal color. They’re perfect for filling gaps while young perennials mature.

Begonias (Wax or Angel Wing): These provide non-stop color in shade to part-sun. Their glossy leaves and bright flowers look elegant against dark green boxwood leaves.
Sweet Alyssum: This low-growing annual forms a fragrant, white or purple carpet. It’s wonderful for softening the edge of a bed and attracting beneficial insects.
Impatiens: For deep shade, impatiens are a classic reliable choice. They offer a massive color impact with virtually no effort beyond watering.

Ground Covers and Low-Growing Shrubs

For a more permanent, cohesive look, consider these low-spreading options.

Creeping Thyme: This herb forms a dense, fragrant mat that can take light foot traffic. It blooms in summer, attracting pollinators, and its evergreen in many areas.
Dwarf Mondo Grass: An excellent evergreen alternative to turf grass, it forms a tidy, dark green clump that’s incredibly slow-growing and neat.
Dwarf Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo): Some varieties, like ‘Fire Power,’ stay very low and offer brilliant red foliage in fall and winter, creating stunning contrast.

Planting Your Companions: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Prepare the soil. Loosen the soil in front of your boxwoods and mix in some compost. This helps with drainage and gives new plants a good start.
Arrange your plants. While they’re still in their pots, arrange them in front of the boxwood to finalize your spacing. Remember to account for there mature width.
Dig planting holes. Make each hole twice as wide as the plant’s root ball but no deeper.
Plant and water. Place each plant in its hole, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly to settle the roots. Add a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Design Tips for a Cohesive Look

Think about repetition. Using the same companion plant in several spots along a boxwood hedge creates rhythm and unity.

Play with texture. Pair the fine texture of grasses or catmint with the medium texture of boxwood leaves. Or use the broad, bold leaves of a hosta (for shade) against it.

Consider color through the seasons. Choose companions that provide interest at different times, like spring bulbs followed by summer perennials followed by autumn foliage.

Plants to Avoid in Front of Boxwoods

Some plants are not good neighbors. Avoid aggressive spreaders that can invade the boxwood’s root zone, like some mints or gooseneck loosestrife.

Steer clear of plants that require constantly wet soil, as this can lead to root rot in your boxwoods. Most prefer average to dry conditions once established.

Also, avoid very tall plants that will obscure the beautiful form and structure of your boxwood shrubs, which are often the foundation of the design.

Care Tips for Your Planted Border

Water new plantings regularly for the first growing season. Once established, your low-maintenance companions should thrive with natural rainfall.

Apply a fresh layer of mulch each spring to keep weeds down and retain soil moisture. This is one of the best ways to reduce maintenance.

Prune or shear your companion plants as needed, but always based on each plants specific requirements. Your goal is a tidy, layered look that doesn’t look over-manicured.

FAQ

What can I plant in front of boxwoods for full sun?
For full sun, excellent choices include Catmint, Salvia, Creeping Thyme, and Dwarf Lavender. All are drought-tolerant and love sunshine.

What are good plants to put in front of boxwoods in shade?
In shade, consider Hostas, Japanese Forest Grass, Heuchera, Hardy Geraniums, and Astilbe. These provide fantastic foliage and flower interest.

How far in front of boxwoods should I plant?
Plant at least 12-18 inches in front of the boxwood’s foliage line. This ensures good air circulation for the boxwood and gives your new plants room to grow without being crowded.

Can I plant hydrangeas in front of boxwoods?
It depends. Some dwarf hydrangea varieties could work, but many get to large. They also often need more water than boxwoods prefer. It’s generally not the most harmonious pairing for a low-maintenance goal.

Choosing the right companions makes your garden more beautiful and easier to care for. By selecting plants that complement your boxwoods in needs and appearance, you’ll create a layered, professional-looking border that provides interest for many months of the year with minimal fuss.