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buxus microphylla hedge

Looking for a lush, classic boundary or formal garden feature? The buxus microphylla hedge is one of New Zealand’s top choices for its neat appearance, year-round greenery and low maintenance. Perfect for everything from defining pathways to creating charming knot gardens, buxus microphylla (also known as Japanese Box or Littleleaf Boxwood) provides a dense, compact habit and small, vibrant leaves that are easy to shape. Whether you’re after a tidy border for a contemporary home, a structured parterre, or a stunning backdrop for seasonal planting, the buxus microphylla hedge brings timeless appeal and enduring value to every landscape.

Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla) plants with lush green foliage.

Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood)

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Buxus microphylla, commonly known as Japanese Box or Littleleaf Boxwood, is a compact evergreen shrub renowned for its dense, glossy green foliage and adaptability to shaping. Ideal for formal hedges, borders, and topiary, it maintains its vibrant colour year-round.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Modern

Buxus microphylla 'Independence'

Buxus microphylla 'Independence' is a superb compact box hedge variety loved for its fine foliage and dense, tidy growth. This hardy evergreen shrub provides structure, formality, and year-round greenery to NZ gardens. It’s perfect for low hedges, borders, and topiary.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Hedging, Paths & Steps, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Rock
A Buxus microphylla 'Freedom' plant with lush, green foliage.
Buxus microphylla 'Freedom'

Buxus microphylla 'Freedom' is a fast-growing, evergreen box hedge variety popular in NZ gardens. It forms dense, bright green foliage that responds...

From$16.95
A Buxus microphylla 'Japonica' hedge with fresh-green foliage.
Buxus microphylla 'Japonica' (Japanese Box)

Buxus microphylla Japonica, commonly known as Japanese box hedge, grows about twice as fast as English box (Buxus sempervirens). The foliage is also...

From$99.95
Buxus sempervirens perfectly manicured balls.
Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)

Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as English Box or Box Hedge, is a classic evergreen shrub popular in New Zealand for formal hedging and topiary...

From$12.95
Buxus microphylla 'Koreana' (Korean Box) plant with lush, green foliage.
Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood)

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...

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Buxus 'Silver Beauty' plant with dark green and yellow variegated foliage.
Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood)

Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty', commonly known as Box Hedge, features small leaves that are dark green with irregular, cream-silver margins, and...

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Ilex crenata 'Helleri' shrubs in a border garden.
Ilex crenata Helleri

Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’ is a compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub with small, glossy green leaves and a dense, mounding habit. Resembling boxwood in...

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buxus-green-gem-
Buxus 'Green Gem'

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...

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A large Ilex crenata 'Convexa' shrub with dense, green foliage.
Ilex crenata Convexa (Japanese Holly)

Ilex crenata 'Convexa' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its small glossy dark green leaves and naturally dense growth habit. Often used as an...

From$27.53
Buxus sempervirens variegata (Variegated Box) shrub with lush and colourful foliage.
Buxus sempervirens 'variegata'

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...

From$16.95
Buxus 'Graham Blandy' boxwood shrubs growing as a cluster.
Buxus 'Graham Blandy'

Buxus 'Graham Blandy' is a distinctive, upright boxwood cultivar prized in New Zealand for its narrow, columnar form and year-round evergreen...

Buxus harlandii shrub with dense, green foliage.
Buxus harlandii

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...

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Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon' yellow and green foliage.
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon'

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon' is an evergreen shrub often used instead of Buxus for hedges. It carries dense, upright branches that host small and...

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Sophora microphylla specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.
Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

Sophora microphylla, commonly known as Weeping Kowhai, is a treasured New Zealand native tree admired for its graceful, drooping branches and masses...

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ilex-aquifolium-angustifolia-male-
Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia

Ilex aquifolium 'Angustifolia' is an elegant evergreen holly admired for its narrow dark green leaves and dense upright growth habit. This hardy...

From$136.04
azara-microphylla-2
Azara microphylla

Azara microphylla (Vanilla Tree) is a graceful evergreen tree admired for its small glossy leaves and wonderfully fragrant yellow flowers. In spring...

From$387.55
Dodonaea viscosa small tree with green foliage.
Dodonaea viscosa (Green Ake Ake)

Dodonaea viscosa, commonly known as the Green Ake Ake, features lush, bright green leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$13.95
Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price' plant with pink flower buds above lush, dark green foliage.
Viburnum Eve Price

Viburnum 'Eve Price' is a compact, evergreen shrub admired for its flowers, foliage, and tidy form. It features dark green foliage, pink buds in...

From$27.53
A well trimmed Ficus Tuffy hedge with lush green foliage.
Ficus Tuffi

Ficus 'Tuffi', also known as Ficus Tuffy, is a dense, upright evergreen shrub popular in New Zealand for hedging and screening. It features glossy...

From$12.95
Griselinia 'Canterbury' hedge with lush green foliage.
Griselinia 'Canterbury'

Griselinia 'Canterbury' is a compact New Zealand native shrub prized for its bright green foliage held on attractive red-brown stems. It forms a...

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Grevillea 'Clearview David'

Grevillea 'Clearview David' is a vigorous evergreen shrub known for its attractive foliage and masses of soft coloured flowers. Flowering over a long...

From$28.91
ligustrum-rotundifolium-4
Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium'

Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium' (Japanese Privet) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its rounded glossy green leaves and dense compact growth habit...

From$24.77
westringia-wynyabbie-gem-4
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem'

Westringia Wynyabbie Gem is a variety of the commonly known, Coastal Rosemary, and is a fast growing, bushy shrub. It has narrow, mid-green leaves...

From$18.95
Corokia 'Little Prince' plants with grey stems and small green leaves at The Plant Company nursery.
Corokia 'Little Prince'

Corokia 'Little Prince' is a small and twiggy, NZ native shrub that features small, grey-brown leaves and black stems. The slim, intertwined stems...

From$12.95
westringia-smokey-3
Westringia 'Smokey'

Westringia Smokey is a variety of the commonly known, Coastal Rosemary, and is a fast growing, bushy shrub renowned for its colourful foliage. It has...

From$18.95
Westringia 'Grey Box' shrubs in garden with fine, grey-green foliage.
Westringia 'Grey Box'

Westringia 'Grey Box' is a variety of the commonly known Coastal Rosemary, and is a popular, fast-growing shrub. It features delicate, narrow, grey...

From$18.95
Ilex 'Largo' plant with lush, dark green foliage.
Ilex Largo

Ilex ‘Largo’ is a bold, evergreen holly variety known for its dense, glossy green foliage and broad, upright growth habit. It forms a tidy shrub...

From$136.04
Corokia 'Geenty's Green' hedge.
Corokia 'Geenty's Green'

Corokia 'Geenty's Green' is a hardy, NZ native shrub that bears narrow, olive-green leaves that have a silver underside. Masses of small, star-like...

From$16.95
A magnificant Photinia 'Super Hedge' hedge.
Photinia 'Super Hedge'

Photinia 'Super Hedge' features bright and colourful foliage with bright red new growth. This foliage ages to become mid-dark green, resulting in a...

From$24.95
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' plants with lush, green foliage.
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime'

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' is a bright and eye catching honeysuckle valued for its vivid lime foliage and compact, tidy habit. This hardy shrub...

From$16.95
Buxus 'Buttercup' with dense, fresh green foliage.
Buxus 'Buttercup' (Buxus Buttercup)

Buxus 'Buttercup' features new leaves that emerge light green and are an excellent complement to the older, darker green leaves. It grows with a...

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Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buxus, and Ilex, or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs.

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Why Choose Buxus Microphylla Hedge?

The buxus microphylla hedge stands out for its resilience, slow to moderate growth, and tolerance of regular clipping. Its small leaves and steady, controllable growth make it ideal for medium to low hedges, topiary forms, and even potted standards. This shrub handles Aotearoa’s diverse conditions well, thriving in both sun and partial shade. Unlike some other hedging plants, buxus microphylla is tough against frost and coastal wind, yet soft and inviting in appearance, making it an all-round winner in Kiwi gardens.

Best Varieties for Your Hedge

Not all boxwoods are created equal. If you’re searching for the perfect look and performance, consider these top picks:

Planting and Care Tips

Establishing a buxus microphylla hedge is straightforward, even for novice gardeners. For a formal effect, plant young bushes 20-30cm apart. Choose well-drained soil, enrich it with compost, and water regularly during the first season. Mulch to suppress weeds and keep roots cool. Lightly trim new growth in late summer or autumn to keep your hedge dense and tidy. Feed in spring with a slow-release fertiliser for vibrant, healthy leaves that resist fungal issues.

Stylish Uses for Buxus Microphylla Hedge

The versatility of a buxus microphylla hedge makes it suitable for a range of landscaping projects. Use it to frame garden beds, enclose vegetable patches, anchor rose gardens, or shape intricate parterres. As a backdrop, it’s perfect for highlighting feature plants or contrasting with colourful annuals. In small urban spaces, buxus microphylla makes an elegant potted hedge on patios and balconies.

Order the Best Buxus Microphylla for Your Hedge

Ready to achieve your dream hedge? Browse our full selection of healthy, well-rooted plants, including Buxus microphylla 'Independence', Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood), Buxus microphylla 'Freedom', and Buxus microphylla 'Japonica' (Japanese Box). No matter your style or space, you’ll find a buxus microphylla hedge to suit your vision and thrive in your garden.


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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.

–The Plant Company

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