Boxwoods are one of the most popular shrubs used for hedges. The dense foliage and manicured shape of boxwoods make it ideal for hedges. However, not all boxwoods are good candidates for hedges. There are so many varieties of boxwoods, all with different growth habits and heights.
When you plant boxwoods for hedges, you want them to grow tall enough to form a nice hedge. You need to select the right boxwood variety in order to be successful in creating your hedge. You also need to decide the height of your hedge, are you building a mid-size hedge or a tall privacy hedge with your boxwoods? Below you will find the best boxwoods for hedges. I’ve included recommendations for boxwoods for tall hedges and boxwoods for mid-size hedges.
4 Boxwoods for Mid-Size Hedges
Boxwoods have dense foliage which makes them great for hedges. However, you need to consider the height of the boxwood variety that is most suitable for your hedge. Some boxwoods are too short, growing to 2 feet tall which is too short for hedges. For mid-size hedges, you will need boxwoods that grow 3 to 5 feet tall for hedges. Since boxwoods are slow-growing shrubs, you should buy your boxwoods pretty close to the height you want them.
1. Green Beauty Boxwoods (Buxus microphylla var. japonica)
Green Beauty boxwoods are good boxwoods for hedges. It’s a fast-growing boxwood, growing as much as 12 inches per year! At maturity, Green Beauty boxwoods can grow up to 3 to 5 feet tall with a spread of 3 to 5 feet wide. It has the tendency to grow in a more rounded shape so you can easily plant a few Green Beauty Boxwoods together to form a privacy hedge.
2. Elegans Boxwood (B. sempervirens ‘Elegantissima’)
Elegans Boxwood is a good boxwood for hedges. It is a midsized boxwood that grows to Elegans Boxwood is a midsized boxwood that grows 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. It is not your typical glossy, green foliaged boxwood but Elegans boxwood have variegated foliage- dark glossy leaves with cream outline. It tends to grow to a rounded shape boxwood which you can plant in a row, close together to form a hedge.
3. Green Mountain Boxwood (Buxus ‘Green Mountain’)
Green Mountain Boxwood is a good boxwood for hedges. The foliage of Green Mountain boxwoods is dense with glossy, dark green, elliptical-shaped leaves. It tends to grow to an upright shape reaching a height of 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. When planted together in a tight row, you can form a nice hedge with Green Mountain boxwoods.
4. Winter Gem (Buxus microphylla var. koreana ‘Winter Gem’)
Winter Gem boxwoods are good boxwoods for hedges. The dense foliage of winter gem boxwoods makes it great for hedges. It has the tendency to grow in a round shape which when planted tightly in a row makes an attractive hedge. Winter Gem boxwoods will grow to 4 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide which is an ideal height for hedges.
Best Boxwoods for Tall Hedges
Most boxwood varieties don’t grow tall enough for tall hedges. Below you will find my favorite boxwood for creating a tall privacy hedge.
Fastigiata (Buxus sempervirens ‘Fastigiata’)
Fastigiata boxwoods are good boxwoods for tall hedges. Fastigiata boxwoods have the tendency to grow upright in a conical shape. At maturity, it will reach 10 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 4 to 5 feet wide. Fastigiata boxwoods have glossy, blue-green foliage that are dense making them great for hedges. Plant a row of Fastigiata boxwoods tightly to form a tall hedge.
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