Korean boxwood, also known as the resilient wintergreen boxwood, is an adaptable shrub of cold endurance. This remarkable plant possesses sturdy, verdant foliage that gradually darkens as it ages. The leaves of the wintergreen are exquisitely petite and delicate, exuding a smooth appearance and texture.
While other boxwood shrubs succumb to winter’s harshness, turning yellow and losing their vibrant hues, the wintergreen variety remains resplendent and emerald.
Within your landscape, the wintergreen boxwood flourishes, revealing its versatility and becoming a cherished asset. Its vivid green hue persists throughout the winter, ensuring year-round foliage.
With its dense growth pattern, this shrub easily lends itself to being sculpted into spherical bushes, square hedges, or various other shapes.
Acquiring knowledge about the steadfastness of this plant will enhance its value within your garden. Discover the duration required for its growth and unearth additional fascinating facts about this extraordinary shrub.
What is its Growth Rate?
The wintergreen boxwood is characterized by its languid pace of development. Each year, this plant merely grows between two and three inches.
Mature Dimensions
Upon reaching maturity, its width spans from three to five feet, while its height ranges between two and four feet.
Where does it Thrive?
The wintergreen boxwood thrives under optimal conditions found across USDA Zones 4–9. While capable of enduring temperatures as low as 20 to 30 degrees F, this plant thrives in a temperature range of 70 to 90 degrees F.
So long as the soil remains adequately drained, this shrub can thrive in various soil types. It fares well in sandy or loamy soil with a near-neutral pH level and a moderate amount of rainfall.
How Much Sunlight Does it Require?
Wintergreen boxwood exhibits tolerance towards a wide spectrum of lighting conditions, ranging from full sun exposure to partial shade. Ideally, it necessitates six to eight hours of direct sunlight exposure each day.
Tips for Enhancing Growth Speed
Wintergreen boxwoods, being slow-growing shrubs, favor dry soil and should not be overwatered. Several factors, such as employing high-quality fertilizers, regular and selective trimming, and appropriate watering, can affect the plant’s health, thereby influencing its growth rate.
Unhealthy and diseased shrubs fail to thrive, whereas maintaining the health of your boxwood will foster more substantial growth.
Here are five recommendations to expedite the growth of your wintergreen boxwood:
1. Plant Suitably
To prevent damp roots, ensure that the root crown, the point where the roots attach to the stem, is visible above ground level by at least an inch when planting the root ball. This will enable the roots to breathe naturally, minimizing the risk of root rot.
2. Water Adequately
Watering your boxwood frequently or misting it daily with a spray bottle will not expedite its growth. In fact, in the worst-case scenario, the leaves may turn brown and fall off. Resist the temptation to water the plant excessively. If the soil feels moist when you insert your finger up to the second knuckle, it indicates that the soil is still in good condition. Only water the boxwood when the soil is completely dry.
3. Proper Spacing
Boxwoods are acutely aware of their surroundings, and their growth rate is influenced by their proximity to one another. For optimal growth potential, plant smaller varieties 2 to 3 feet apart, while larger varieties should be spaced 5 to 6 feet apart.
4. Mulching Protection
Boxwoods are sensitive to fluctuations in soil temperature. Applying mulch helps maintain a consistent temperature throughout the year. In summer, it aids in water retention, and during winter, it safeguards the roots. Spread a layer of mulch that is at least 3 inches thick, extending about a foot beyond the widest branches.
5. Pruning for Growth
When initiating pruning, shape your boxwoods into pyramidal forms. This holds true even if you are uncertain about the desired appearance of your hedges or topiary. Pyramidal shapes facilitate maximum light penetration, assisting the plant in the process of photosynthesis and subsequently aiding food production. Avoid cutting new growth until the leaves have matured and hardened. Promptly remove any unhealthy or diseased leaves.