Winter Gem Boxwood
Best low-maintenance evergreen for structured garden borders and formal topiaries.
Discover the Winter Gem Boxwood, a versatile evergreen shrub celebrated for its dense, lustrous foliage and compact form. This slow-growing plant thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it ideal for various landscape applications like massing, rock gardens, edging, and foundation plantings. It's also perfectly suited for shaping into elegant topiaries for a formal garden aesthetic. The rich green leaves can develop a golden bronze hue in winter, returning to vibrant green in spring, offering year-round interest. Among the hardiest small-leaved boxwoods, it's a reliable choice for enduring beauty.
$22.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
61
/ 2656
#61 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-47%
Below average
Mature Height
6
/ feet
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking year-round vibrant greenery in cold climates
- Landscapers creating formal hedges or intricate topiary designs
- Homeowners wanting a fast-growing privacy screen or border
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in regions prone to fungal blight outbreaks
- Property owners with heavy clay or poorly draining soil
- Busy gardeners unable to manage seasonal pest monitoring
Performance breakdown
Hardiness Range
Exceptional climate adaptability spanning zones 4b through 10.
Topiary Potential
Dense, compact growth makes shaping into formal structures effortless.
Deer Resistance
Reliably deters browsing animals in high-pressure garden environments.
Seasonal Interest
Lustrous foliage shifts beautifully from deep green to golden bronze.
Maintenance Ease
Slow growth rate minimizes the frequency of necessary pruning.
Landscape Versatility
Functions perfectly as a foundation plant, hedge, or garden accent.
Key Specs
Mature Height
6 feet
Mature Width
6 feet
Light
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Growth Rate
Medium to Slow
Hardiness Zone
4b-10
Water Needs
Average to Moist
Soil Type
Enriched, Well-drained, Neutral to slightly acidic
Deer Resistant
Yes
Features
- Dense, lustrous evergreen foliage
- Compact growth habit
- Ideal for hedges and topiaries
- Year-round garden interest
- Hardy among small-leaved boxwoods
- Tolerates full sun to partial shade
- Deer resistant
- Adapts to various landscape uses
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly appreciate the exceptional quality and reliability of the Winter Gem Boxwood. Reviewers frequently note that the plants arrive healthy, robust, and ready to thrive, establishing quickly in various climates. The primary highlight is its impressive winter performance; unlike other varieties, this boxwood maintains its vibrant green color even in harsh cold, providing reliable structure and visual appeal year round. Consumers feel confident investing in this variety for long term landscaping success.
Know before you buy
Yes, the Winter Gem Boxwood is known for its year-round interest. While the leaves are a rich green during the growing season, they often take on a golden-bronze hue during the winter months before returning to vibrant green in the spring.
Since this shrub reaches a mature width of 6 feet, you should space them according to your desired density. For a solid, continuous hedge, space them approximately 3 to 4 feet apart, keeping in mind that they will eventually grow together to form a dense screen.
Yes, the Winter Gem Boxwood is considered deer-resistant. Its foliage is generally unpalatable to deer, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where deer pressure is a common concern.
Absolutely. Its compact, slow-growing habit makes it an excellent candidate for topiary work and container gardening. Regular pruning will help you maintain the specific shape and size you desire.
This boxwood thrives in enriched, well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. Ensure the planting site has good drainage, as the plant prefers average to moist soil but does not tolerate standing water.
This is a slow-to-medium growing shrub. While it will eventually reach 6 feet in height and width, it does so gradually, which makes it easier to manage and maintain in formal garden settings.
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