Looking for the best buxus for hedging to create the perfect, timeless border in your New Zealand garden? Buxus plants, commonly known as boxwoods, are the top choice for formal hedges thanks to their dense growth, evergreen foliage, and ability to thrive in a variety of Kiwi climates. Whether you're shaping a classic parterre, edging garden beds, or outlining a driveway, choosing the right Buxus variety will make a lasting impact on your landscape. Below, discover the top Buxus cultivars for hedging, their unique features, and expert tips to help you select—and maintain—the ultimate living boundary.
Buxus 'Graham Blandy' is a distinctive, upright boxwood cultivar prized in New Zealand for its narrow, columnar form and year-round evergreen...
Buxus 'Green Gem' is a compact, evergreen boxwood plant that is ideal for low hedges, borders, and topiary in New Zealand gardens. It forms a dense...
Buxus microphylla, commonly known as Japanese Box or Littleleaf Boxwood, is a compact evergreen shrub renowned for its dense, glossy green foliage...
Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as English Box or Box Hedge, is a classic evergreen shrub popular in New Zealand for formal hedging and topiary...
Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty', commonly known as Box Hedge, features small leaves that are dark green with irregular, cream-silver margins, and...
Buxus harlandii grows to about 1 m tall and the same wide with charming, bright green leaves. Best results with this evergreen shrub are achieved...
Buxus harlandii 'Richard', commonly known as Little Boxwood, is a spectacular variety that grows to about 1 m tall and the same wide. It has...
Buxus koreana, commonly known as Korean Box, is a cold-hardy, evergreen shrub ideal for low hedging and formal borders in New Zealand gardens. It...
Buxus microphylla 'Freedom' is a fast-growing, evergreen box hedge variety popular in NZ gardens. It forms dense, bright green foliage that responds...
Buxus microphylla 'Independence' is a superb compact box hedge variety loved for its fine foliage and dense, tidy growth. This hardy evergreen shrub...
Buxus sempervirens 'variegata' features small, mid-green leaves with cream-white edges on new growth, which age to become a darker green. It grows to...
Buxus 'Buttercup' features new leaves that emerge light green and are an excellent complement to the older, darker green leaves. It grows with a...
Buxus 'Curly Locks' features small, bright green leaves with a gentle curl. The leaves age to dark green and are held on short stems as it grows to...
Buxus 'Faulkner' features small, bright green leaves that age to dark green. These are held on short stems as they grow to 1.2 m tall and 1 m wide...
Buxus 'Handsworthiensis' is a larger and more vigorous variety of the commonly known Boxwood. It grows with an upright and spreading habit, hosting...
Buxus 'John Baldwin', commonly known as Japanese Box, Littleleaf Box, or Boxwood, is a small, evergreen shrub that makes for an excellent, formal...
Buxus 'Marginata', commonly known as English Boxwood or Box Hedge, produces masses of small leaves that are variegated cream and green. These are...
Buxus microphylla Japonica, commonly known as Japanese box hedge, grows about twice as fast as English box (Buxus sempervirens). The foliage is also...
Buxus sempervirens 'Elegantissima' grows well in fertile, free draining soil and tolerates both full sun and partial shade. In NZ, it adapts to a...
Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa', also known as Dutch Box or Edging Box, is a classic evergreen shrub prized for its compact, rounded growth habit...
Buxus sinica var 'Insularis' is a popular Korean Boxwood that forms a beautiful mound of dark green foliage. New foliage is a fresh, lime green...
Buxus 'Supergreen' grows with an upright shape and features rounded, light green leaves that darken with age. This Boxwood typically grows to 1 m...
Buxus 'Tide Hill' is a unique dwarf boxwood variety loved for its compact, spreading form and dense evergreen foliage. Unlike traditional upright...
Buxus Winter Gem is a variety of Boxwood and features foliage that is lime-green, glossy, and held densely. It typically grows to 1.5 m tall and the...
You might be interested in exploring our full range of Buxus or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs.
Search best buxus for hedgingBuxus offers unmatched versatility and classic aesthetics. Its slow to moderate growth allows for precise shaping, and the glossy, vibrant green leaves remain beautiful year-round. The best buxus for hedging creates neat lines and can tolerate regular trimming, making it a favourite for structured garden designs.
The quintessential hedging plant, Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood), is prized for its dense growth and resilience. This variety adapts well to sun or shade and forms seamless, formal edges ideal for both low borders and taller screens. Its lush foliage is easily clipped into shape and is well-suited to a range of soil types.
For gardeners seeking a twist on classic green, Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood) offers striking, silvery-edged leaves. This unique appearance makes Silver Beauty perfect for hedges that add subtle colour contrast and elegance to paths and garden beds while maintaining the same strong hedging qualities.
If you're after hedging with beautiful visual interest, Buxus sempervirens 'variegata' delivers. Its variegated foliage features creamy-white highlights, bringing a lively accent to hedges and borders. This cultivar works well in both formal and informal settings, providing year-round brightness.
For tight, compact hedges, Buxus harlandii 'Richard' is a stand-out choice. Its naturally uniform habit makes it ideal for low box hedges, parterres, or foundation plantings, with minimal pruning required.
If you want upright, columnar structure, choose Buxus 'Graham Blandy'. This vertical-growing variety forms elegant hedges and is perfect for narrow spaces, entryways, or as a unique accent in formal gardens.
Buxus hedges prefer well-draining soils and dappled sun, though most varieties tolerate both shade and full sun. Regular watering, especially during hot dry spells, helps maintain lush foliage. Fertilise annually in spring to encourage healthy growth, and trim two to three times a year for sharp, defined edges. Mulching can protect roots and retain moisture. For healthy, disease-free plants, ensure good air circulation by avoiding overcrowding.
Whether you’re after traditional formality or a creative twist on classic hedging, buxus offers options to suit every taste and garden size. Explore our selection to find the best buxus for hedging and enjoy a living boundary that enhances your landscape all year round.
Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

