Alternatives To Boxwood Shrubs

Alternatives to boxwood shrubs

Another great boxwood look-alike is Ilex crenata commonly called Japanese holly. This is an evergreen shrub with rounded glossy green leaves. Similar to boxwoods, Japanese holly are deer resistant and make an excellent hedge.

Are boxwoods outdated?

Boxwood shrubs remained widely popular following their introduction to the U.S. at the turn of the 19th century, but their popularity has slowly waned. One likely reason is the way these shrubs' unnaturally straight lines disrupt a landscape's flow. Additionally, current landscaping trends value low-maintenance plants.

Which is better boxwood or Japanese holly?

The Japanese Holly and The boxwood have extremely similar uses in backyard landscaping, given the fact that they are both easy to maintain hedges or shrubs. However, the Japanese Holly grows at a slower rate compared to the average boxwood, making it ideal for low-lying shrubbery and ground cover.

What looks like a boxwood?

Boxwood Alternatives

Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra) If you want to replicate the look of boxwood shrubs, you will love inkberry holly.
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) Another evergreen, boxwood look-alike, is Japanese holly. ...
Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) ...
Juniper.

What is best shrub for front of house?

Best Shrubs To Plant In Front Of The House

Boxwood. One of the most common foundation shrubs is the boxwood because it's easy to shape with some hedge trimmers.
Roses. This classic bush comes in a bunch of different shapes and sizes. ...
Hydrangea. ...
4. Japanese Maple. ...
Juniper. ...
Dogwood. ...
Elderberry. ...
Dwarf Lilac.

What is the best shrub for screening?

Types of Privacy Shrubs

Barberry. Either deciduous or evergreen, Barberries are famous for their yellow or red leaves, and they are easy to grow and thrive in a wide range of soils and light levels.
Boxwood.
Cherry Laurel. ...
Evergreen Euonymus. ...
Forsythia. ...
Ligustrum (Privet) ...
Nandina. ...
Viburnum.

What is the lifespan of a boxwood bush?

Common Boxwood Lifespan: 20-30 Years The boxwood is famous for its use in formal gardens.

What happens if you don't trim boxwoods?

They thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 9, depending on the cultivar, and you can easily shape them as they grow. But boxwoods can grow unwieldy if not properly pruned and can grow out of bounds.

Why is boxwood so popular?

Highly prized for its wood, it is used as a foundation, corner or screening plant. The cultivar, buxus sempervirens suffruticosa or “English” boxwood is very dwarf and slow-growing. The leaves are quite fragrant. It is used for edging and can be pruned regularly to maintain its dwarf shape.

What's the difference between boxwood and Japanese boxwood?

The English/American boxwood differs from the Japanese/Korean boxwoods in many ways, but the easiest way to tell is that the tip of the leaf is pointed, while Asian boxwoods have a rounded point with a small indentation at the very tip (like the shape of a rounded "W").

Are boxwoods low maintenance?

Buxus spp. Boxwood are tough, generally slow growing, evergreen shrubs. They're quite easy to maintain, especially if you opt for a looser appearance instead of a more traditional clipped look.

What boxwood doesn't smell?

While only certain varieties are known to smell like cat or dog urine, all boxwoods have been put into this category, and unfairly I might add! The Green Velvet variety does not stink and has many popular and positive attributes for your landscape or your garden.

What is the difference between boxwood and privet?

Privet (pictures above) is more drought resistant and prefers a dry soil while Box needs a little extra moisture. Box, though, is a slower grower and reaches around 3m while Privet achieves its 4m a little quicker. Both are evergreens, though Privet will shed leaves in a particularly harsh winter.

What is good to plant in front of house?

Don't forget annuals when you're planting for curb appeal. Use them as inexpensive fillers when your perennials or flowering shrubs stop blooming, or pop them into containers, hanging baskets and window boxes for splashes of seasonal color. Marigolds, petunias and geraniums are popular and easy to grow.

Is boxwood the same as a yew?

Yews are a narrow leaf evergreen shrub. While they stay green year-round, their leaves do not resemble the oval-shaped leaves of boxwoods as they are needlelike. Leaves are on opposite sides of the stem like boxwood (Photo 6).

What should you not plant near a foundation?

DON'T plant trees and shrubs in areas that could interfere with utility lines or air-conditioning units. Before you begin your planning, call 811 to determine the location of any underground utility lines on your property, so you can avoid those areas.

What is the best low maintenance shrubs?

Some of the favorite low-maintenance shrubs include Boxwood, Dwarf Gardenia, Rosemary, and Rhododendron. You can add in a variety of sizes to add some extra curb appeal as well as flowering, evergreen, and deciduous shrubs for the front of your house.

What is the easiest shrub to maintain?

5 Top-Rated Shrubs for Easy Maintenance Landscapes

Double Play^® Gold Spiraea. Double Play^® Gold spirea shines in the landscape from spring to fall with little to no pruning needed.
Gatsby Gal^® Hydrangea. ...
Oso Easy^® Cherry Pie Rosa. ...
North Pole^® Arborvitae. ...
Spilled Wine^® Weigela.

What is the fastest growing shrub for privacy?

32 Fastest Growing Shrubs and Trees to Grow as Privacy Hedges

Skip Laurel Shrub.
Waxleaf Privet Hedge.
Common Purple Lilac.
Lemon Lights Azalea Shrub.
Oakleaf Hydrangea Shrub.
Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo.
Lavender Rhododendron Shrub.
Arctic Willow.

What is the fastest growing plant for privacy?

What are the fastest-growing trees for privacy? Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year. The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.