Sprinter Boxwood (Buxus)
Best low-maintenance shrub for gardeners wanting quick, deer-resistant privacy hedges.
The Sprinter™ Boxwood is an improved, fast-growing cultivar, perfect for creating dense, low hedges. Its glossy evergreen foliage provides year-round appeal and excellent hardiness. This versatile shrub forms a dense globe, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape. It thrives in various sun to shade conditions, making it a flexible choice for any landscape. The rapid growth ensures it quickly fills in spaces, delivering a lush and full appearance to borders, containers, and formal gardens. This attractive and hardy variety is also resistant to deer damage.
$18.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
34
/ 2598
#34 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-52%
Below average
Botanical Name
Buxus microphylla 'Bulthouse'
/ Buxus microphylla 'Bulthouse'
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking fast-growing privacy hedges and structured topiaries
- Landscapers prioritizing low-maintenance, disease-resistant plant health
- Homeowners wanting versatile, year-round greenery for containers or foundations
Who should skip it
- Busy gardeners wanting a low-maintenance, set-it-and-forget-it shrub
- Sensitive homeowners planning to plant near windows or entryways
- Pet owners and parents concerned about toxic garden plants
Performance breakdown
Growth Velocity
Outpaces traditional boxwood varieties to establish dense hedges in record time.
Maintenance Ease
Naturally maintains a tidy, globe-like form with minimal seasonal pruning required.
Environmental Adaptability
Thrives across diverse light conditions ranging from full sun to shade.
Hardiness and Resilience
Robust evergreen foliage stands up to deer pressure and coastal salt.
Landscape Versatility
Perfectly suited for formal borders, container gardening, or foundation plantings.
Foliage Quality
Glossy, year-round evergreen leaves provide consistent visual interest and structure.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Buxus microphylla 'Bulthouse'
Mature Height
2-4 feet
Mature Spread
2-4 feet
Hardiness Zones
5-9
Sun Exposure
Full Sun to Full Shade
Soil Type
Moist, well-drained
Growth Rate
Fast
Foliage Type
Evergreen
Features
- Fast-growing, improved 'Winter Gem' cultivar
- Upright habit ideal for hedging
- Glossy evergreen foliage for year-round appeal
- Dense globe shape needs little pruning
- Adaptable to sun and shade conditions
- Quickly fills in for a full hedge
- Deer resistant
- Salt tolerant for coastal areas
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Sprinter Boxwood for its exceptional growth speed, establishing hedges and borders much faster than standard varieties. Reviewers consistently highlight the dense, vibrant green foliage that maintains its color even through harsh winters, signaling robust health. The plants demonstrate reliability, quickly overcoming transplant shock to thrive in landscapes. While the initial cost is higher than generic options, gardeners agree the superior quality and reduced waiting time for maturity provide excellent value. This product is highly recommended for dependable, fast-maturing evergreen structure.
Know before you buy
The Sprinter is an improved cultivar specifically bred for a faster growth rate than traditional boxwoods like 'Winter Gem.' While exact speed depends on your local climate and soil, you can expect it to fill in gaps and reach its mature size significantly quicker than standard varieties.
Yes, the Sprinter Boxwood is exceptionally versatile and performs well in conditions ranging from full sun to full shade. While it may grow slightly slower in deep shade, it maintains its dense, evergreen structure regardless of the light exposure.
Very little. The Sprinter naturally grows into a dense, rounded form, so you only need to prune it if you want to maintain a specific, formal size or shape. A light trim once a year is usually sufficient to keep it looking tidy.
Absolutely. Because of its compact 2-4 foot mature size and dense habit, it is an excellent choice for containers. Just ensure your pot has good drainage and you provide regular, moderate watering.
Yes, boxwoods are generally unpalatable to deer, and the Sprinter is no exception. It is a reliable choice for landscapes where deer pressure is a common concern.
The Sprinter is hardy down to zone 5, meaning it is bred to withstand cold winter temperatures. Its evergreen foliage is durable, though it is always a good practice to ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent root issues during the freeze-thaw cycle.
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