Common Boxwood

Buxus sempervirens

Common Boxwood is a slow-growing shrub, hardy in USDA zones 5-8, that matures to about 5-15 ft × 5-15 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with medium water needs in well-drained and occasionally-wet soil. Expect cream and yellow blooms in spring. It stands up well to deer, drought and rabbits, grows happily in containers.

USDA zones: 5-8
Sun: Full sun, Part shade
Water: Medium
Mature size: 5-15 ft × 5-15 ft
Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Maintenance: Medium
Soil: Well-drained, Occasionally-wet
Foliage: Silver, Green, Orange
Bloom color: Cream, Yellow
Bloom season: Spring
Tough against: Deer, Drought, Rabbits
Watch out for: Can irritate skin on contact, Unpleasant smell
Toxic to: People, Dogs, Cats, Horses
Native to: Southern Europe, western Asia, northern Africa

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score Common Boxwood’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.