Best Boxwood For Hedge

If you’re looking for a classic, elegant hedge that provides year-round structure and privacy, you’ve likely considered boxwood. Choosing the best boxwood for hedge planting is the most critical step to ensure your green wall thrives for decades. This guide will help you pick the perfect variety and show you exactly how to plant and care for it, so you can create the private, beautiful garden space you want.

Boxwoods are beloved for their dense, small leaves, slow growth, and ability to withstand frequent shearing. They form a solid, living barrier that’s both functional and beautiful. But not all boxwoods are created equal, especially when your goal is a tall, robust privacy screen.

For a true privacy hedge, you need a variety that grows fairly tall and wide, has a naturally upright and dense habit, and is winter-hardy in your area. While many boxwoods are used for low borders, only a select few have the stature for screening. Our top recommendation is the ‘Green Mountain’ boxwood.

‘Green Mountain’ is a hybrid boxwood that forms a dense, conical or rounded shape without much help. It’s exceptionally hardy, thriving in USDA zones 4-9. It reliably grows to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, but can often reach 6-7 feet with time. Its foliage retains a rich green color even in harsh winters, unlike some varieties that can bronze. This makes it the best boxwood for hedge projects where privacy and year-round good looks are key.

Other Excellent Boxwood Varieties for Hedging

While ‘Green Mountain’ is our champion, other varieties also perform wonderfully depending on your specific needs and climate.

‘Green Velvet’: A very popular, rounded shrub with soft, lush green foliage. It’s extremely cold-hardy (to zone 4) and maintains excellent winter color. Perfect for hedges 3-4 feet tall.
‘Winter Gem’: Known for its superior resistance to winter bronzing. It’s a fast-growing (for a boxwood) variety with a compact, rounded form, ideal for a 4-foot hedge.
‘Dee Runk’: This one has a distinctly columnar, upright growth habit. It’s excellent for narrow spaces where you still want height, easily reaching 8 feet tall but only 2 feet wide.
‘Fastigiata’: Similar to ‘Dee Runk’, this is a tall, columnar form that’s perfect for a formal, architectural privacy screen without taking up much ground space.

What to Avoid: Boxwood Blight Concerns

Boxwood blight is a serious fungal disease that can defoliate and kill shrubs. When choosing your plants, always buy from reputable nurseries that can guarantee their stock is disease-free. Some varieties show better resistance than others.

More Resistant: ‘Green Mountain’, ‘Green Velvet’, and ‘Winter Gem’ have shown better tolerance in studies.
More Susceptible: Common English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’) is highly susceptible and is not recommended for new hedges.

Step-by-Step: Planting Your Boxwood Hedge

Proper planting sets the foundation for a healthy, long-lived hedge. Here’s how to do it right.

1. Planning and Spacing

First, measure the lenght of your planting area. Spacing is crucial for a seamless hedge. For most varieties like ‘Green Mountain’, space plants 2 to 3 feet apart, measured from the center of one hole to the next. For dense, low varieties, 1.5 feet may suffice. For tall columnar types, 2 feet is usually fine.

2. Preparing the Soil

Boxwoods prefer well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. They do not tolerate “wet feet.”

Dig a trench that is twice as wide as the root balls of your plants and just as deep.
Mix the excavated soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and fertility.
Avoid planting in heavy, pure clay without significant amendment.

3. The Planting Process

Remove the boxwood from its container and gently loosen any circling roots.
Place each plant in the trench at the correct spacing, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
Backfill with your amended soil, firming it gently around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil.

Caring for Your Boxwood Hedge

Consistent care, especially in the first few years, ensures your hedge becomes thick and private.

Watering and Mulching

New hedges need weekly, deep watering for the first two growing seasons. Established hedges are drought-tolerant but benefit from watering during extended dry periods. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like shredded bark) along the hedge line. This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps roots cool. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the stems to prevent rot.

Feeding and Nutrition

Feed your boxwood hedge in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for shrubs. An organic option like Holly-tone works very well. Avoid fertilizing in late summer or fall, as this can promote tender new growth that may be damaged by frost.

Pruning for Density and Privacy

Pruning is essential to encourage the dense, branching growth that makes a private hedge. The best time to prune is in late spring or early summer, after the first flush of new growth has hardened off. You can do a second, lighter trim in mid-summer if needed.

Always use sharp, clean hedge shears or trimmers.
Shape the hedge so that it is slightly wider at the bottom than the top. This “A” shape allows sunlight to reach the lower branches, preventing them from becoming thin and leggy.
Don’t be afraid to prune hard in the early years to promote fullness; boxwoods are very resilient.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even the best boxwood for hedge can face issues. Here’s how to spot and adress them.

Winter Bronzing: Foliage turns orange-brown. This is often caused by winter sun and wind. Choosing resistant varieties (like ‘Winter Gem’) and ensuring adequate fall watering can help.
Yellowing Leaves: This can indicate poor drainage, nutrient deficiency (often nitrogen), or root damage. Check soil moisture and consider a soil test.
Leafminer or Psyllid Insects: These pests cause discolored, blistered leaves. Treat with a horticultural oil spray applied in late spring when the adults are active.
Thin Bottom Growth: Usually a result of improper pruning (hedge wider at top). Gradually reshape over a few seasons to let light in.

FAQ: Your Boxwood Hedge Questions Answered

How fast do boxwood hedges grow?

Most boxwoods are slow to medium growers, adding about 3-6 inches of new growth per year. A hedge will typically take 5-8 years to reach its mature height for privacy.

What is the best time of year to plant a boxwood hedge?

Early fall is ideal, giving the roots time to establish before winter. Spring is also excellent, provided you can commit to consistent watering through the summer heat.

Can boxwood grow in full shade?

They prefer partial sun to light shade (4-6 hours of sun). In full, deep shade, they will become very thin and open, losing the density needed for a privacy hedge.

How often should I trim my privacy hedge?

For most formal hedges, one to two trims per year is sufficient. The main trim should be in late spring, with a possible light tidy-up in late summer.

Are boxwoods deer resistant?

Yes, boxwoods are generally considered deer-resistant due to their bitter taste and scent. While no plant is completely deer-proof, boxwood is rarely a first choice for browsing deer.

Creating a boxwood hedge is an investment in your garden’s future. By selecting the best boxwood for hedge screening, like the robust ‘Green Mountain’, and following these planting and care steps, you’ll be rewarded with a timeless, green wall that offers privacy, beauty, and structure for many years to come. Remember, patience is key with these slow-growing gems, but the enduring result is well worth the wait.