I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re looking for a “quick fix” in the garden, the boxwood might test your patience. These evergreens are the marathon runners of the plant world—they’re in it for the long haul. They simply grow slowly, and no amount of “helicopter gardening” is going to change their internal clock!
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
In most backyards, you’ll run into two main types: the Common Boxwood (*Buxus sempervirens*) and the Littleleaf Boxwood (*Buxus microphylla*). However, both species have tons of different varieties, each with its own unique growth habit. Some are tiny dwarfs that will never even hit the three-foot mark, while others can eventually tower over your head. But compared to other ornamental shrubs, their annual growth is pretty modest across the board. Some varieties focus on height, while others like to spread out. Depending on what you’re planning for your landscape, it’s worth taking a closer look at how each one behaves.
Variety Overview & Growth Characteristics
‘Aureovariegata’
- Annual growth: 2 to 6 inches
- Max height: 10 to 16 feet
- Max width: 6 to 10 feet
‘Blauer Heinz’
- Annual growth: 1.5 to 2.5 inches
- Max height: 15 to 20 inches
- Max width: 15 to 20 inches
Pro Tip:
The low-growing and incredibly hardy ‘Blauer Heinz’ is a fantastic choice for a classic garden bed edging.
‘Elegantissima’
- Annual growth: 1.5 to 2.5 inches
- Max height: 3 to 5 feet
- Max width: 20 to 40 inches
- Special feature: Beautiful variegated foliage
‘Faulkner’
- Annual growth: 2 to 6 inches
- Max height: 3 to 6 feet
- Max width: 3 to 6 feet
‘Globosa’
- Annual growth: 1 to 2 inches
- Max height: up to 2 feet
- Max width: up to 2 feet
Pro Tip:
Plant the ‘Globosa’ variety if you’re dreaming of a perfect boxwood ball. Its natural growth habit is already perfectly proportioned for topiary.
‘Golden Triumph’
- Annual growth: 2 to 3 inches
- Max height: up to 3 feet
- Max width: up to 4 feet
‘Handsworthiensis’
- Annual growth: 4 to 10 inches
- Max height: 6 to 10 feet
- Max width: 3 to 6 feet
‘Herrenhausen’
- Annual growth: 3 to 6 inches
- Max height: 12 to 24 inches
- Max width: 20 to 28 inches
Common/Tall Boxwood
- Annual growth: 4 to 12 inches
- Max height: 10 to 16 feet
- Max width: 6 to 13 feet
‘Latifolia Maculata’
- Annual growth: 2 to 6 inches
- Max height: 32 to 48 inches
- Max width: 20 to 32 inches
‘Rotundifolia’
- Annual growth: 4 to 8 inches
- Max height: 8 to 13 feet
- Max width: 8 to 10 feet
‘Suffruticosa’
- Annual growth: 1 to 2 inches
- Max height: 20 to 40 inches
- Max width: 12 to 24 inches
Can You Influence the Growth?
You can’t really “rush” a boxwood. However, you can help it reach its full potential by providing loose, consistently moist soil. This encourages strong, well-branched roots. If your soil is a bit thin, mix in some compost and fertilize your boxwoods every year in the spring. Just don’t fall into the trap of over-fertilizing to force growth! Doing so actually weakens the plant and makes it a magnet for diseases and pests.
Regular pruning is also a must to keep the growth nice and dense. Generally, the faster a variety grows, the more often it needs a trim. A good rule of thumb is to leave about half of the new growth behind. While boxwoods can handle a heavy “rejuvenation” prune, keep in mind they’ll take their sweet time growing back.
