FAQs | Stlboxwood

Boxwood Care

1. How do you keep boxwoods healthy?

Boxwood basic requirements are well-drained soil, part-sun and 1" of water a week. To keep them healthy, you have to fine-tune these needs with fertilizer or natural soil amendments, mulch, a thinned canopy achieved by hand pruning, monitoring and control of pests and disease.

2. What is the best way to care for your boxwoods?

Ask this question to our team directly!

3. What are the different types of boxwoods?

There are 91 recognnized species of Buxus (Boxwood), but not all are hardy to St. Louis.

Our recommendations for the St. Louis area are;

Buxus sempervirens: Traditional Boxwood, large growth habit and broader leaf
- 'Shadow Sentry' 8x3' columnar/pyramidal
- 'Inglis' 10x10'
- 'Ste. Genevieve' 15x15'
- 'Graham Blandy' 8x2' not reliably hardy on north side of home
- 'Dee Runk' 8x2'
- 'Vardar Valley' 3'x5'
- 'Natchez' 3x3'
- 'Elegantissima' 3x3' variagated
- 'Henry Shaw' 5x5'
- 'Suffruticosa' 2-5' "English Boxwood" not reliably hardy in the midwest
Buxus microphylla: Small-leaf and dwarf species
- 'Compacta' 2x3'
- 'Green Pillow' 1.5x2'
- 'Grace Hendrick Phyllips' 1x2'
- 'Curly Locks' 6x6'
Buxus microphylla var. japonica: "Japanese Boxwood"
- 'Morris Midget' 1x2'
- 'Green Beauty' 5x5'
Buxus sinica var. insularis: "Korean Boxwood"
- 'Winter Green' 6x6'
- 'Winter Gem' 3x3'
- 'Wee Willie' 2x2'
Buxus hybrids
- 'Green Gem' 2-3'
- 'Green Mound' 3x3'
- 'Green Mountain' 5x3'
- 'Green Velvet' 2-4'
- 'Glencoe' 3x2'
- 'Cranberry Creek' 3x3'

4. The leaves on my boxwoods look yellow. What should I do?

Could be a few things: too little water, too much water, disease, malnutrition, winter discoloration.

If you'd like us to come diagnose your Boxwood, contact us today and we can be there asap!

5. How should I care for my boxwoods in the winter?

In times of winter drought, make sure to continue to irrigate by handwatering your boxwood every couple weeks for a long soak. Some specimens require wrapping if they are on the N/NE side of the property where winter winds can hurt the foliage. Inquire about St. Louis Boxwood treating your boxwood with a preventative coating to stop winter bronzing.