Winter Gem Boxwood
Buxus microphylla japonica 'Winter Gem'
Excellent evergreen shrub for small hedges. Among the hardiest of Boxwoods, the rich green foliage acquires a golden bronze hue through winter, returning to green in spring. Evergreen.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | BUK-sus mik-ro-FIL-la |
| Key feature: | Hedge Plant |
| Plant type: | Shrub |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 5 - 9 |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growing 4 to 6 ft. tall and wide, when unpruned. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Flower color: | Yellow |
| Blooms: | Inconspicuous |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 1383 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape. Pruning time: summer after flowering.
Design Ideas
This is the classic hedge plant. Its dense, evergreen growth makes it perfect for shearing into a small, formal hedge. Ideal for defining different spaces in the garden or for a tidy foundation cover-up. It is especially lovely against red brick. Use as a partition to divide your front yard or driveway from your neighbor's. Also beautiful as background foliage. Creates lovely topiaries, particularly in cone shapes if planted where it snows. An excellent plant for parterres and hedge mazes. Keeps its color over winter.
Companion Plants
Boxwood is so versatile and offers a nice backdrop to a variety of low growing shrubs and perennials. If kept more natural in shape, pair with Lilac, Burning Bush, Smoke Tree and Japanese Rose. For a formal appearance or knot garden, combine with topiary forms, fragrant plants and culinary herbs such as Germander, Rosemary and Sage.
History
Also known as B. harlandii, this species is native to Japan. Boxwood is so named because its very hard wood was valued in ancient times for making boxes and small containers.
Excellent evergreen shrub for small hedges. Among the hardiest of Boxwoods, the rich green foliage acquires a golden bronze hue through winter, returning to green in spring. Evergreen.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape. Pruning time: summer after flowering.
Design Ideas
This is the classic hedge plant. Its dense, evergreen growth makes it perfect for shearing into a small, formal hedge. Ideal for defining different spaces in the garden or for a tidy foundation cover-up. It is especially lovely against red brick. Use as a partition to divide your front yard or driveway from your neighbor's. Also beautiful as background foliage. Creates lovely topiaries, particularly in cone shapes if planted where it snows. An excellent plant for parterres and hedge mazes. Keeps its color over winter.
Companion Plants
Boxwood is so versatile and offers a nice backdrop to a variety of low growing shrubs and perennials. If kept more natural in shape, pair with Lilac, Burning Bush, Smoke Tree and Japanese Rose. For a formal appearance or knot garden, combine with topiary forms, fragrant plants and culinary herbs such as Germander, Rosemary and Sage.
History
Also known as B. harlandii, this species is native to Japan. Boxwood is so named because its very hard wood was valued in ancient times for making boxes and small containers.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | BUK-sus mik-ro-FIL-la |
| Key feature: | Hedge Plant |
| Plant type: | Shrub |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 5 - 9 |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growing 4 to 6 ft. tall and wide, when unpruned. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Flower color: | Yellow |
| Blooms: | Inconspicuous |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 1383 |
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Monrovia soil products
The best fertilizer to use with this plant is Tree & Shrub Food.view soil products