Variegated English Boxwood
Best evergreen shrub for gardeners seeking low-maintenance, structured landscape design.
Introduce year-round visual interest to your landscape with the Variegated English Boxwood from Monrovia. This evergreen shrub features small, dark green leaves beautifully edged with an irregular creamy white variegation, offering excellent contrast. It is highly versatile, easily shaped into formal hedges or topiary forms, and performs well in containers or foundation plantings. Growth is slow, allowing for easy maintenance of desired shapes. For best results, plant in enriched, well-drained soil and maintain average to moist watering levels, especially during establishment.
$22.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
34
/ 2598
#34 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-42%
Below average
Mature Height
8
/ feet
Who it's for
- Homeowners living in areas with high deer populations and browsing
- Gardeners seeking bright foliage to illuminate dim, shaded outdoor spaces
- Landscapers designing formal gardens or structured, low-maintenance topiary borders
Who should skip it
- Property owners with gardens exposed to harsh, direct afternoon sunlight
- Gardeners unwilling to manage strict disease prevention and monitoring protocols
- Impatient landscapers needing immediate, full-sized privacy hedges or mature coverage
Performance breakdown
Topiary Versatility
Dense foliage structure makes it ideal for precise, formal shaping.
Maintenance Ease
Slow growth rate significantly reduces the frequency of necessary pruning.
Visual Contrast
Creamy white variegation provides a striking pop against standard green landscapes.
Hardiness Reliability
Robust performance in zone 5 ensures consistent survival through colder winters.
Container Adaptability
Compact, slow-growing nature thrives perfectly in pots and decorative planters.
Landscape Longevity
Evergreen foliage ensures year-round structure and color for your garden.
Key Specs
Mature Height
8 feet
Mature Width
8 feet
Hardiness Zone
5
Foliage Color
Variegated
Light Needs
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Water Needs
Average to Moist
Growth Rate
Slow
Family Name
Boxwood
Features
- Easily pruned into formal hedges or custom topiary shapes.
- Versatile use in borders, containers, massing, and urban gardens.
- Evergreen nature provides consistent landscape structure.
- Slow growth rate helps maintain desired size and shape longer.
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and health of the Monrovia Boxwood upon arrival. Reviewers frequently highlight the striking variegation, noting how the creamy white edges provide a sophisticated visual lift to garden borders and containers. The plant establishes quickly and maintains its vibrant color year round, making it a reliable, high impact design choice that justifies the premium price point.
Know before you buy
The Variegated English Boxwood will reach a mature height and width of approximately 8 feet. Because it has a slow growth rate, it will take several years to reach these dimensions, making it easy to manage.
Yes, this variety performs very well in containers. Its slow growth rate and ability to be pruned into formal shapes make it an excellent choice for patio pots or decorative planters.
This boxwood is adaptable and thrives in both full sun and partial shade. While it is versatile, ensure it receives consistent moisture regardless of the light exposure to keep the foliage healthy.
Because of its slow growth habit, you will not need to prune it frequently. Once or twice a year is typically sufficient to maintain a formal hedge or specific topiary shape.
This shrub is hardy in Zone 5, meaning it can withstand cold winter temperatures. It is an evergreen, so it will provide consistent color and structure to your garden throughout the year.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$23