Images Depict Mature Plants
Winter Gem Boxwood
Buxus microphylla japonica 'Winter Gem'
Winter Gem Boxwood offers year-round lush green foliage, perfect for creating low-maintenance hedges, borders, or formal garden designs. Its cold-hardy, deer-resistant nature ensures it stays vibrant and compact even in harsh winter conditions.
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Winter Gem Boxwood for Sale Online
Winter Gem Boxwood is a versatile, evergreen shrub prized for its compact growth and year-round vibrant green foliage. Known for maintaining its lush color even during the coldest months, this Buxus microphylla variety is ideal for creating hedges, borders, or formal garden designs. Reaching a mature height of 2 to 4 feet, Winter Gem offers a dense, rounded shape that can be easily pruned and shaped to suit any landscape design. Its adaptability and minimal maintenance make it a popular choice for residential and commercial gardens.
Thriving in full sun to partial shade, Winter Gem Boxwood is highly adaptable to various soil types as long as they are well-drained. It performs well in zones 5-9, and its excellent cold tolerance makes it a great choice for regions that experience harsh winters. Whether you’re using it as a low hedge, topiary, or foundation planting, this boxwood holds its shape beautifully, requiring only occasional pruning to maintain its neat appearance. Its evergreen foliage also makes it a perfect companion for seasonal plantings, providing a rich backdrop to flowering plants and shrubs.
In addition to its visual appeal, Winter Gem Boxwood is deer-resistant, making it an ideal choice for landscapes in deer-prone areas. It is also relatively low-maintenance, needing only moderate watering during dry spells and a light application of fertilizer in spring to promote healthy growth. With its year-round beauty, hardiness, and ease of care, Winter Gem Boxwood is a reliable, elegant addition to any landscape, providing timeless greenery and structure.
| Mature Height: | 3 to 4 Feet (less, if trimmed) |
|---|---|
| Mature Width: | 3 to 4 Feet (less, if trimmed) |
| Classification: | Evergreen shrub |
| Sunlight: | Partial to full sun |
| Habit: | Evergreen, dense foliage |
| Flower Color: | Inconspicuous |
| Foliage: | New growth emerges bright green changing to dark green and golden bronze in fall and winter |
| Soil Condition: | Any well-drained soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
How to Care for Winter Gem Boxwood
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy plant for years to come!
How do I plant Winter Gem Boxwood Shrubs?
Planting Winter Gem Boxwood shrubs requires careful planning to ensure they thrive in your landscape. Start by selecting a location that receives partial to full sun, as these evergreen shrubs perform best in well-draining soil with moderate moisture levels. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball to allow the roots to spread comfortably. Once you place the Winter Gem Boxwood in the hole, backfill with soil, gently tamping it down to remove air pockets. Be sure to water thoroughly after planting to help establish strong roots. Adding a layer of mulch around the base helps retain moisture and control weeds. Proper spacing is crucial when planting Winter Gem Boxwood shrubs, as they can grow to about 3-4 feet tall and wide. Space them at least 2 feet apart for a dense hedge or leave more room for individual plants to grow naturally. Regular watering is essential during the first year, but once established, Winter Gem Boxwood is fairly drought-tolerant. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to promote healthy growth and vibrant foliage. With proper planting and care, these versatile shrubs will enhance your garden with year-round structure and vibrant green color.
How do I water Winter Gem Boxwood Shrubs?
Watering Winter Gem Boxwood shrubs correctly is essential for maintaining their health and lush appearance. When newly planted, these shrubs require regular watering to establish a strong root system. Water the shrub deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and soil conditions, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Focus on the root zone, avoiding overhead watering, as this can increase the risk of disease. To help retain moisture, consider applying a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base, but be sure to leave a gap around the trunk to prevent rot. For established Winter Gem Boxwoods, watering frequency can be reduced, as they are relatively drought-tolerant once mature. However, during extended dry periods, supplemental watering is recommended, especially in hot summer months. Water deeply to encourage deep root growth, which helps the plant withstand drought conditions. Always monitor the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule based on the climate and seasonal conditions. Avoid shallow, frequent watering, as it can lead to weaker roots and stress the shrub. Proper watering practices are key to keeping your Winter Gem Boxwood shrubs healthy, vibrant, and thriving year-round.
How do I fertilize Winter Gem Boxwood?
To fertilize Winter Gem Boxwood, start by choosing a balanced, slow-release fertilizer specifically formulated for evergreen shrubs. The best time to fertilize is in early spring, just before new growth begins. Apply the fertilizer evenly around the base of the shrub, extending slightly beyond the drip line to ensure the roots receive ample nutrients. Be careful not to apply fertilizer too close to the trunk, as this can cause root burn. Water the area thoroughly after fertilizing to help the nutrients penetrate the soil and reach the root system. This will encourage healthy growth, vibrant green foliage, and overall plant vigor throughout the growing season. For established Winter Gem Boxwood shrubs, it's essential to follow up with annual fertilization in early spring, while newly planted shrubs may benefit from a second, lighter application in late summer or early fall. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive growth and weaken the plant. Consider performing a soil test if you’re unsure of your soil’s nutrient levels, as this can guide you in selecting the right fertilizer. Organic options, such as compost or well-rotted manure, can also be incorporated to improve soil structure and provide a slow, steady release of nutrients. Proper fertilization ensures your Winter Gem Boxwood stays healthy and lush year-round.
How do I Prune Winter Gem Boxwoods?
Pruning Winter Gem Boxwoods is essential for maintaining their dense, rounded shape and encouraging healthy growth throughout the year. The best time to prune Winter Gem Boxwoods is in late spring, after the risk of frost has passed and the new growth has begun to emerge. Start by using clean, sharp pruning shears to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Removing these branches not only improves the overall health of the boxwood but also reduces the risk of pests and disease. To shape your Winter Gem Boxwood, lightly trim the outer growth to create a more compact and uniform form, following the natural shape of the plant. Focus on making small cuts rather than heavy pruning to avoid stressing the boxwood and to encourage denser foliage. Throughout the growing season, you can perform light touch-up pruning to maintain the boxwood's tidy appearance, especially if it is being used as a formal hedge or in a topiary form. Avoid cutting into older, woody growth, as boxwoods do not regenerate well from mature stems, and over-pruning can leave unsightly bare spots. To allow sunlight and air to reach the interior branches, thin out the plant by selectively removing a few stems from overcrowded areas. This helps promote healthy growth from the inside out and reduces the risk of fungal issues. With proper pruning techniques, your Winter Gem Boxwoods will maintain their lush, vibrant foliage and neatly manicured shape, enhancing your landscape's visual appeal year-round.
