Sprinter Boxwood
Best low-maintenance shrub for gardeners seeking quick, year-round privacy hedges.
Accelerate your garden's maturity with the Sprinter® Boxwood, an improved, fast-growing cultivar of the 'Winter Gem' boxwood. This shrub establishes quickly, providing a lush, filled-in look sooner. Its dense, emerald-green foliage remains glossy year-round, perfect for formal hedges or natural landscapes. The Sprinter® Boxwood boasts a compact, rounded habit, reaching 2-4 feet tall and wide. It's exceptionally low-maintenance, deer-resistant, salt-tolerant, and adaptable to full sun or full shade, as long as the soil drains well.
$27.05
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
866
/ 2688
#866 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-31%
Below average
USDA Hardiness Zones
59
/ -
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking quick privacy screens or mature landscape shapes
- Homeowners wanting vibrant greenery during bleak winter months
- Landscapers prioritizing long-term plant health and blight resistance
Who should skip it
- Busy gardeners preferring low-maintenance, hands-off shrub varieties
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for affordable, generic nursery stock
- Gardeners unwilling to monitor or treat for common insect pests
Performance breakdown
Growth Velocity
Outpaces traditional boxwood varieties to establish a mature landscape quickly.
Maintenance Effort
Requires minimal pruning to maintain its naturally dense, rounded shape.
Environmental Adaptability
Thrives in diverse light conditions ranging from deep shade to sun.
Foliage Retention
Maintains a glossy, emerald-green aesthetic throughout all four seasons.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer, reducing the need for protective chemical barriers.
Hardiness Range
Robust cold tolerance makes it a dependable choice for varied climates.
Key Specs
USDA Hardiness Zones
5-9
Mature Height
2 - 4 Feet Tall
Mature Spread
2 - 4 Feet Wide
Habit
Rounded Compact
Light Exposure
Full Shade to Full Sun
Foliage Color(s)
Green
Scientific Name
Buxus microphylla 'Bulthouse'
Watering Requirement
Medium
Features
- Fast-growing for quicker landscape maturity
- Excellent year-round glossy emerald-green foliage
- Tolerates a wide light range
- Deer resistant and salt tolerant
- Low-fuss and easy care maintenance
- Compact, rounded habit
- Improved cold-hardy cultivar
- Includes a Free 1-Year Warranty
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Sprinter Boxwood for its exceptional growth rate and robust health, noting its rapid establishment for immediate landscape impact. The plant features dense, vibrant green foliage that maintains its color well into winter, contributing to high perceived quality and year-round appeal. Reviewers value its reported resistance to common boxwood ailments, solidifying its reputation as a reliable, low maintenance staple. While the initial cost may be higher than generic options, the superior performance and speed justify the investment, resulting in a strong value perception. This variety is widely regarded as a top tier choice for modern landscaping due to its proven durability and quick results.
Know before you buy
Sprinter Boxwood is specifically bred to be a faster-growing cultivar of the popular 'Winter Gem.' It establishes itself more quickly in the landscape, allowing you to achieve a mature, filled-in look in less time than traditional boxwood varieties.
Yes, the Sprinter Boxwood is container-friendly. Its compact, rounded habit and slow-to-moderate maintenance needs make it an excellent choice for decorative pots or planters, provided they have adequate drainage.
Yes, this cultivar is highly adaptable and performs well in light conditions ranging from full sun to full shade. While it is versatile, ensure the planting site has well-drained soil to prevent root issues.
Yes, this variety is considered deer-resistant. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, the taste and texture of boxwood foliage are generally unappealing to deer, making them a reliable choice for landscapes where deer pressure is a concern.
Because of its naturally compact and rounded habit, the Sprinter Boxwood requires very little pruning. You may choose to lightly trim it once a year if you prefer a strictly formal, manicured hedge, but it maintains a tidy appearance on its own.
The Sprinter Boxwood is an improved, cold-hardy cultivar suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9. It is designed to retain its glossy, emerald-green foliage throughout the winter months.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.