Evergreen Shrub – Wintergreen Boxwood

Wintergreen boxwood

 Botanical name: buxus sinica var. insularis ‘wintergreen’

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 2-4 ft in height with a 3-5 ft spread 

Hardy zone:  zones 4-9

Foliage color:  green, yellow, orange, red 

Growth rate:  grows only a few inches per year 

Pruning instructions: prune lightly in the late winter/early spring before new growth begins to emerge, as well as throughout the summer season as needed to maintain desired shape and size 

Propagation methods:  propagate with cuttings in the summer/early fall 

Landscape use:  hedge, border, mass planting, edging, container plant 

Light needs: 4-6 hours of sun per day 

Special features: deer resistant, low maintenance, slow growing, rabbit resistant, cold hardy 

Watering instructions: keep soil consistently moist but not wet/soggy/soaked 

Fertilizing instructions :  use a balanced shrub fertilizer once a year in the early spring before new growth begins to emerge 

Best time to plant:  spring or fall 

Best type of soil: sand or loam 

Companion plants: hydrangeas, roses, vinca, junipers, hollies 

Toxicity level: toxic for pets and humans if ingested 

Invasive species: no