Winter Gem Boxwood
Best choice for gardeners creating durable, low-maintenance formal hedges.
Enhance your garden with the Winter Gem Boxwood, a hardy evergreen shrub from Florida Foliage, perfect for colder climates. This cultivar, *Buxus Microphylla Japonica*, is supplied as three live 2" potted plants, ideal for creating formal hedges or topiaries. It boasts fast growth and exceptional cold tolerance, maintaining its vibrant green color even in temperatures as low as minus 20. The foliage transitions from a bright lime-green to a deep, glossy green, with a potential bronze tint in winter. Highly resistant to common boxwood pests and blight, this shrub offers year-round appeal and a naturally dense, rounded form.
$29.98
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
18
/ 2483
#18 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-24%
Below average
Cultivar
Winter Gem
/ Winter Gem
Who it's for
- Gardeners in regions with harsh, freezing winter climates
- Landscapers seeking versatile plants for formal hedges and containers
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance, drought-tolerant greenery
Who should skip it
- Gardeners living in areas prone to fungal blight outbreaks
- Impatient landscapers needing immediate, fast-growing privacy screens
- Sensitive homeowners bothered by strong, musky plant scents
Performance breakdown
Cold Hardiness
Exceptional resilience allows this shrub to thrive in freezing winter temperatures.
Pest Resistance
Strong natural defense against common boxwood blight and leafminer infestations.
Growth Versatility
Fast-growing habit makes it perfect for shaping hedges and formal topiaries.
Year-Round Aesthetics
Dynamic foliage transitions provide consistent visual interest throughout every season.
Deer Resistance
Reliable deterrent keeps hungry wildlife from damaging your garden landscape.
Establishment Ease
Small starter pots require patience but offer great value for gardeners.
Key Specs
Cultivar
Winter Gem
Botanical Name
Buxus Microphylla Japonica
Container Size
2" Pot Size
Quantity Per Pack
3 live plants
Hardiness Zones
Cold hardy (down to minus 20)
Foliage Color
Rich green, lime-green, golden bronze
Growth Rate
Fast Growing
Pruning Needs
Annual pruning recommended in late winter/early spring
Features
- Ideal for formal hedges and topiaries
- Stays vibrant green in harsh winters
- New growth emerges lime-green, matures to deep green
- Highly resistant to leafminer and blight
- Deer resistant evergreen for year-round appeal
- Tolerates significant pruning for shape control
- Vigorous, naturally rounded growth habit
- Suitable for defining garden spaces
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the exceptional quality and vitality of the Winter Gem Boxwood plants received. The most significant positive theme is the meticulous packaging, which ensures the boxwoods arrive securely, minimizing transit damage. Reviewers consistently describe the plants as robust, well-rooted, and exhibiting the expected vibrant green color, reflecting excellent nursery care. While a few noted minor size inconsistencies, the overall consensus confirms the strong value for money. Customers feel they are getting premium stock that establishes quickly. The consistent reliability in shipping high-quality, hardy plants reinforces the seller's strong reputation, leading to high satisfaction and repeat purchase intent.
Know before you buy
Each order includes three live plants shipped in 2-inch pots. These are young starters, so you will need to plant them in a nursery bed or container to allow them to establish before transplanting them into your permanent garden space.
This cultivar is exceptionally hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -20°F. It is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8, making it a reliable choice for regions with harsh winters.
The Winter Gem has a naturally dense, mounding growth habit, which reduces the need for constant trimming. However, it tolerates pruning very well, so an annual trim in late winter or early spring is recommended to maintain a specific formal shape or hedge line.
No, the Winter Gem Boxwood is considered deer-resistant. Its foliage is generally unappealing to deer, making it a safe choice for gardens where wildlife browsing is a common concern.
Yes, these boxwoods are container-friendly. They work well in pots for patio displays or formal entryway accents, provided you use well-draining soil and ensure they receive adequate sunlight.
The foliage starts as a bright, lime-green on new growth and matures into a deep, glossy green. During the coldest winter months, the leaves may take on a subtle golden-bronze tint before returning to their vibrant green in the spring.
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