Richard Boxwood

Buxus harlandii ‘Richard’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub

Height at Maturity: 4 to 5′ but can be easily maintained with an annual pruning at 2 to 3′

Width at Maturity: 4 to 5′ but can be easily maintained with an annual pruning at 2 to 3′

Spacing: 3 to 3.5′ for solid hedge; 7’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright Rounded, can be trimmed to various shapes

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate

Flower Color: White, inconspicuous

Flower Size: Tiny

Flowering Period: Spring

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: Yes

Foliage Color: Deep Green, glossy

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Shade or Mostly Shade, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silty

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Damp to Moist But Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Drought (when established), Heat, Insect

Description

One of the hardiest and most adaptable boxwoods for southern climates in USDA Zones 7 to 9, the Richard Boxwood is a semi-dwarf that left alone will grow 4 to 5 feet tall and equally as wide but with an annual trimming in late winter can easily be kept at 2 to 3 feet. It is an exceptionally handsome selection with dense, glossy, very deep green leaves that are notched at the tips. Thriving in both full sun or shade and responding very well to trimming to various shapes makes it a designers choice for foundation plantings, as formal hedges or to accentuate an entryway. With little effort it can be trimmed into interesting geometrical shapes such as a globe, dome, square, cylinder or pyramid. Spring flowers are insignificant though are quite fragrant.

Landscape & Garden Uses

At 2 to 5 feet tall and equally as wide depending on pruning, the Richard Boxwood is ideal for use as an accent, in groupings, or in staggered or straight rows as hedges in home foundation plantings and landscape borders. Also a very nice solo or centerpiece in container gardens. A fine addition to formal gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 3 to 3.5 feet apart for solid hedge; 7 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

The Richard Boxwood is exceptionally easy to grow adapting to most soil types, preferring a moist but well drained soil of average fertility. As with so many other plants, a constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic. It grows well in full sun or shade. In our gardens, we’ve found Richard Boxwood to have exceptional heat and humidity tolerance, disease and pest resistance, and good drought tolerance when established.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Boxwood shrubs.

How To Plant A Boxwood Shrub

How To Fertilize And Water A Boxwood Shrub

How To Prune A Boxwood Shrub

Plant Long & Prosper!

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