- Plant Characteristics:
Distinguished by its dense, evergreen foliage with a soft, velvety texture. Plants maintain a a lush, compact shape, making them a favorite for year-round structure and elegant landscapes.
- Growing & Care:
Flourishes in a range of conditions, from partial to full sun, and prefers well-drained soils. It is a low-maintenance plant, needing only occasional watering and yearly pruning to help keep a neat appearance.
- Tips for New Gardeners:
This shrub is beginner-friendly, offering a robust nature and ease of care. Ideal for those looking to create formal garden structures without complex maintenance needs. Though not invasive or highly toxic, always handle with general gardening care practices in mind.
Buxus Green Velvet, commonly known as Green Velvet Boxwood, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that is highly favored by gardeners for its robust nature and aesthetic appeal.
It is a hybrid species resulting from a cross between Buxus sempervirens and Buxus microphylla var. koreana. The plant typically grows to a height and spread of 3-4 feet (about 1-1.2 meters), making it a versatile addition to various garden landscapes.
The foliage of the plant boasts a rich green color throughout the year, contributing to its name, 'Green Velvet'. Green Velvet Boxwood blooms in the springtime, displaying inconspicuous, fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers.
This plant is widely appreciated for its versatility and adaptability. It can withstand heavy pruning, making it an ideal candidate for topiary, hedges, or edging in formal gardens. The plant also suits rock gardens, foundation plantings, or even as a standalone specimen in residential landscapes.
It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8, and is rated as RHS hardiness zone H6, and is thus hardy throughout Europe (except for extreme zones).
How to Grow Buxus Green Velvet in the Garden
Green Velvet Boxwood is a fairly low-maintenance plant that requires well-drained soil and a location that receives partial to full sunlight. As it is able to tolerate shade it can make a versatile addition to your garden. While it prefers an alkaline to neutral soil pH, it will grow in a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand.
It is tolerant of drought, air pollution, and even deer, further simplifying its care.
Propagation of Buxus Green Velvet can be achieved through semi-hardwood cuttings These are typically taken in the late summer or early autumn. As the plant is a slow grower, you may prefer purchasing young plants to facilitate quicker establishment.
When planting, ensure that the planting hole is twice the width and as deep as the root ball . It's best to plant in early spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish before extreme summer or winter weather conditions.
Once planted, it is crucial to water the plant regularly, but take care not to overwater as this may lead to root rot. Ideally, a A layer of mulch should be applied to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth.
Pruning can be done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. This will help maintain a desirable plant shape and size. It is recommended to fertilize in early spring with a slow-release granular fertilizer so as to promote healthy growth.
Though Green Velvet Boxwood is resistant to most pests and diseases, keep an eye out for boxwood blight and treat any signs of it promptly. Providing these simple yet effective care measures should enable Buxus Green Velvet to bring year-round greenery and structure to your garden or landscape.
Scientific Name: Buxus sempervirens 'Green Velvet'
Common Names: Green Velvet Boxwood
Growing Zone (USA / UK Hardiness): USDA Zones: 5-8 RHS Hardiness Rating: H6.
Best Used For / Garden Location: Ideal for formal gardens, especially as a low hedge or border. Preferably in a sunny to partially shaded location.
Plant Details
Life Cycle / Plant Type: Evergreen shrub.
Plant Height: 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 m).
Plant Spread: 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 m).
Blooms: Spring.
Flower Details: Tiny, pale yellow flowers that are not prominent.
Leaf Foliage: Small, glossy, oval-shaped leaves with a dark green color.
Fruit: Inconspicuous capsules.
Growing Conditions and Location
Best Light Conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Suitable Soil Types: Well-draining, loamy or clay soils.
Sowing / planting: Best planted in spring or autumn in a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball.
Germination time: N/A (usually propagated via cuttings).
Propagation: Best propagated via semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.
Plant Care: Requires regular watering, especially in dry periods, and yearly pruning to maintain shape.
Growing in pots and containers: Suitable for containers, but ensure good drainage and regular feeding.
Growing as a House plant: Not typically grown as a houseplant.
Further Information
Miscellaneous: Tolerant to urban pollution and deer. Suitable for topiary. In some areas, it can be invasive, such as in the Midwest of the USA.
Pests and diseases: Can be susceptible to boxwood blight, leaf miners, and mites.
Common Cultivars / Varieties: Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa', a slow-growing cultivar ideal for low hedges. Buxus sempervirens 'Aureovariegata', known for its green and yellow variegated leaves.
Family: Buxaceae, the Boxwood family.
Native: Hybrid cultivar, parent species native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.
References and Further Reading: Buxus sempervirens guide by the Missouri Botanical Garden; Purdue University: the Boxwood family.
Common Questions
Does Buxus 'Green Velvet' make a good garden or landscaping plant?
This and other boxwoods make excellent garden and landscaping plants. As they have a dense and compact habit they make for a fantastic hedge and are ideal for use as a border plant.
Is Buxus 'Green Velvet' invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Although boxwoods can spread in favorable conditions, the Buxus 'Green Velvet' variety does not pose a threat to native plant communities.
How do I remove Buxus 'Green Velvet' from my garden?
To remove Buxus 'Green Velvet', cut back the plant before digging up the root system. Due to the plant's dense growth, professional assistance may be required for larger specimens.
Summary
Buxus 'Green Velvet' is a hybrid boxwood cultivar that prefers to grow in partial to full sun, and a well-drained, loamy soil. It is noted for its round shape and dense foliage, and is commonly used for hedging and topiaries.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this guide on how to grow Green Velvet Boxwood. You may also enjoy the following growing shrub guides: How to grow Laurustinus, Jungle Geranium, Japanese Pieris, Wine and Roses Weigela, and Gaultheria plants in the garden.
