Images Depict Mature Plants
Dwarf English Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'
Dwarf English Boxwood offers a compact, slow-growing form with dense, evergreen foliage, making it perfect for low-maintenance hedges, borders, and topiaries. Its ability to thrive in partial shade, along with its deer resistance and minimal pruning needs, makes it an excellent choice for formal garden designs and small landscapes.
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Delay shipping by leaving us a message at Checkout.
Share:Recommended Add-Ons
Dwarf English Boxwood Shrubs for Sale Online
Dwarf English Boxwood is a compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub prized for its dense, fine-textured foliage and rounded growth habit. With its small, glossy green leaves and naturally tidy appearance, this boxwood is perfect for low hedges, borders, and topiaries. Reaching a mature height of just 2 to 3 feet, Dwarf English Boxwood requires minimal pruning, making it an excellent choice for formal gardens or tight spaces. Its ability to maintain its shape with little maintenance makes it a favorite for creating classic, elegant landscapes with year-round appeal.
Ideal for USDA zones 5-8, Dwarf English Boxwood thrives in partial shade to full sun and prefers well-drained soil. It’s known for being more tolerant of shady conditions than other boxwoods, making it a versatile option for a variety of garden settings. This variety is also relatively cold-hardy, ensuring that it retains its rich green color even through the winter months. Its dense, evergreen foliage and compact growth make it an excellent choice for formal garden designs, including parterre gardens, foundation plantings, and ornamental containers.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Dwarf English Boxwood is also deer-resistant, making it a practical, low-maintenance option for landscapes in areas with high deer populations. With its slow growth and ability to withstand shearing, it’s a versatile choice for creating structured garden features, from manicured hedges to intricate topiaries. Whether you're designing a traditional English garden or adding structure to modern landscapes, Dwarf English Boxwood delivers timeless beauty and reliable performance throughout the year.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-8 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 2 to 3 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 2 to 3 Feet |
| Classification: | Dwarf evergreen shrub |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to part shade |
| Habit: | Upright |
| Flower Color: | Inconspicuous |
| Foliage: | New growth emerges bright green changes to dark green as it matures |
| Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
How to Care for Dwarf English Boxwood
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Dwarf English Boxwood plant for years to come!
How do I Plant Dwarf English Boxwoods?
To plant Dwarf English Boxwoods, start by selecting a location with well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun exposure. Begin by digging a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball to allow the roots to spread and establish. Place the shrub in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil, then backfill with a mix of native soil and compost to improve drainage and nutrient content. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and help the roots acclimate. If planting multiple Dwarf English Boxwoods for a hedge or border, space them 2 to 3 feet apart to ensure they grow into a full, dense hedge. After planting, Dwarf English Boxwoods benefit from mulching around their base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, keeping it away from the stem to prevent rot. Water regularly during the first growing season, ensuring the soil stays moist but not waterlogged, as boxwoods prefer well-drained conditions. Once established, these low-maintenance shrubs will thrive with minimal care, offering year-round structure and greenery to your landscape. With the right planting and care, Dwarf English Boxwoods will provide a compact, formal look that enhances any garden design.
How do I water Dwarf English Boxwood Shrubs?
To properly water Dwarf English Boxwood shrubs, it’s important to establish a consistent watering routine, especially during the first year after planting. Water the shrubs deeply once a week, ensuring the moisture reaches the root zone, about 6 to 8 inches deep. During hot or dry periods, you may need to increase the frequency to twice a week, but avoid overwatering, as boxwoods prefer well-drained soil. Be sure to water at the base of the shrub and avoid wetting the foliage to reduce the risk of fungal issues. Consistent deep watering encourages strong root growth, which is vital for the shrub’s long-term health and lush appearance. Once established, Dwarf English Boxwoods are relatively drought-tolerant and will require less frequent watering. However, during extended dry spells or high heat, occasional deep watering is still necessary to maintain their vibrant, dense foliage. Check the soil regularly by digging a few inches down; if it feels dry, it’s time to water. Mulching around the base of the shrub can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, reducing the need for frequent watering. With proper watering practices, Dwarf English Boxwoods will thrive, offering year-round greenery and structure to your garden with minimal maintenance.
How do I fertilize Dwarf English Boxwoods?
To fertilize Dwarf English Boxwoods, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, just before new growth begins. A fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio around 10-10-10 is ideal for promoting healthy root development and dense foliage. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the base of the shrub, being careful not to let it touch the trunk to avoid root burn. After applying the fertilizer, water thoroughly to help the nutrients absorb into the soil and reach the root zone. Proper fertilization in early spring encourages vigorous growth and maintains the lush, green appearance that Dwarf English Boxwoods are known for. In addition to spring fertilization, you can apply a light second feeding in late summer if your Dwarf English Boxwoods are growing in poor soil or showing signs of nutrient deficiency, such as yellowing leaves or slow growth. Organic matter, like compost or well-rotted manure, can also be added around the base of the shrub to naturally improve soil quality over time. Regular fertilization not only keeps your boxwoods healthy but also enhances their resistance to pests and diseases, ensuring they thrive and maintain their classic, compact form year-round in your landscape.
How do I prune Dwarf English Boxwood?
To maintain boxwood in its most natural shape, we recommend thinning for an informal look. To thin, prune selected branches throughout the shrub to the main trunk, lateral branch, or a lateral bud. Do not hard prune any area where you want to achieve leaf growth, as they may not respond for a few years. Leave stubs or stripped branches alone until buds have formed where you want them and have made several sets of leaves. Watering well and misting the wood frequently can help Dwarf English Boxwood bud more quickly. At times, old and misshapen boxwoods are going to need some extra TLC. Renewal pruning of shrubs usually involves severe pruning. However, Dwarf Boxwoods often do not respond well to this. It may take several years for them to recover if they survive at all. Some experts say you should remove a third of the large branches each year over three years. Another method is to prune over two years. Branches should be cut on one side of the plant the first year, followed by the other half the second year.
