About

• A shallow root system makes this plant susceptible to wind damage. According to Marjan Kluepfel and Bob Polomski at Clemson University, boxwood shrubs have historically been used in Southern estates, such as Middleton Place in Charleston, North Carolina.
  
  

Growth

• American boxwood plants are the larger of the two varieties, maturing to a height of 10 to 15 feet. This type of boxwood is evergreen and features two-toned leaves that are dark green on top and a lighter yellowish-green underneath. Japanese boxwood is also evergreen but only grows to reach 4 feet high and 4 feet wide. Unlike the American boxwood, the Japanese boxwood features bright green leaves that are the same color on both sides.
  
  

Culture

• Boxwood plants thrive in locations that are partially shaded but are also tolerant of areas where they receive full sunlight. For the best results, boxwood plants should be grown in fertile soils with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Because the boxwood plant is susceptible to numerous fungal diseases, it should be planted in well-drained soils where the roots will not become over-saturated.
  
  

Care

• Plant the boxwood plant so part of the shallow root system is still above soil level. After planting, thoroughly water the soil and add 2 or 3 inches of organic mulch to cover the soil beneath and around the boxwood plant. Fertilizer should only be added to this plant if plenty of mulch is present, to protect the delicate roots of the boxwood. Periodic pruning of the plant will allow the desired shape to be achieved. At the very least, annual pruning should b done to thin out the previous year's growth.
  
  

Uses

• Both types of boxwood are commonly used in modern and historical landscapes due to their shape and tolerance to pruning. Boxwood plants are available in a variety of forms, including prostrate, globe, half-erect, weeping, columnar and pyramidal. These shapes make this plant ideal for terraces, walkways, gardens, screen areas, planters and topiaries. It is relatively easy to maintain the desired shape through pruning because this plant grows less than 12 inches annually.