Variegated Boxwood

Buxus sempervirens ‘Aureoariegata’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub

Height at Maturity: 4-8′ depending on pruning

Width at Maturity: 4-8′ depending on pruning

Growth Habit / Form: Dense, Upright Rounded to Oval

Growth Rate: Slow

Flower Color: Soft Green

Flower Size: Tiny, inconspicuous

Flowering Period: Spring

Flower Type: NA

Fragrant Flowers: Yes

Foliage Color: Dark Green & White edges in spring that turn to yellow by summer

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, 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: Moist But Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer, Drought (when established), Insect

Description

A showy Boxwood, ‘Aureovariegata’ features dark green leaves with margins that start out white turning cream and then yellow throughout the growing season. The leaves really make this shrub stand out in the landscape especially in partially shaded areas, thought it will also thrive in full sun. It responds very well to an annual pruning right after the last frost so is an excellent choice for a clipped hedge or various shapes such as a pyramid, cone or globe. If left to grow naturally it might reach 8 feet tall and equally as wide at maturity. A wonderful color and texture contrast just about anywhere in the landscape that gets 3 hours or more of direct sun, maintaining its bright color even in partially shaded areas.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 4 to 8 feet tall and equally as wide depending on pruning, the Variegated Boxwood is ideal as an accent, in groupings, as a natural or clipped hedge or use two to accentuate an entryway. It responds very well to pruning to can be clipped annually for formal hedges and various topiary shapes. Also nice as a solo or centerpiece in containers. A fine addition to formal gardens, fragrance gardens, topiary gardens and yellow theme gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 3 to 4 feet apart for hedges

Growing Preferences

The Variegated Boxwood is easy to grow in a moist but well-drained soil of average or better fertility and full sun to part shade. We think it shows off it’s foliage color best in partially shaded environments. Three or more hours of direct sunlight per day is suggested. Responds very well to pruning for clipped hedges and topiary. As with many other plants, a constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic, so make sure the planting site is a well-drained one.

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

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