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buxus spacing

When planning a formal hedge, garden border, or sculpted topiary, understanding correct buxus spacing is key for lush, healthy, and uniform growth. The right spacing for your buxus plants can make all the difference between sparse, struggling hedges and compact, eye-catching green walls. Whether you’re starting a new row of classic [Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)](/shop/product/shrubs/buxus-sempervirens), creating curves with [Buxus 'Green Gem'](/shop/product/shrubs/buxus-green-gem), or filling in a garden edge with [Buxus microphylla 'Japonica' (Japanese Box)](/shop/product/shrubs/buxus-microphylla-japonica), getting your buxus spacing right from the start will shape your garden for years to come.

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Buxus 'Green Gem'

5 from 2 customers

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, rounded shrub with small, glossy green leaves that hold their colour year-round. Growing to around 60–90 cm tall and wide, it responds well to regular trimming and shaping.

From $99.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
Buxus sempervirens perfectly manicured balls.

Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)

5 from 4 customers

Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as English Box or Box Hedge, is a classic evergreen shrub popular in New Zealand for formal hedging and topiary. It features small, glossy green leaves and a dense, slow-growing habit, typically reaching 1–2 metres in height.

From $12.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Paths & Steps, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
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...

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

Buxus microphylla, commonly known as Japanese Box or Littleleaf Boxwood, is a compact evergreen shrub renowned for its dense, glossy green foliage...

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 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 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...

From$16.95
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...

From$16.95
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
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...

From$99.95
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...

From$16.95
A large Ilex crenata 'Convexa' shrub with dense, green foliage.
Ilex crenata 'Convexa'

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
Metrosideros 'Maungapiko' specimen tree covered in red flowers.
Metrosideros 'Maungapiko'

Metrosideros ‘Maungapiko’ is a compact New Zealand native pohutukawa cultivar valued for its dense habit, glossy green foliage, and vivid red summer...

From$255.51
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
fraxinus-purple-spire-2
Fraxinus Purple Spire

Fraxinus 'Purple Spire' is an elegant deciduous tree admired for its upright narrow habit and outstanding autumn foliage that develops rich purple...

From$387.55
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...

From$27.53
Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen' double red flowers.
Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen'

Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its profusion of double burgundy red flowers that appear from spring through...

From$27.53
pittosporum-irish-luck-
Pittosporum 'Irish Luck'

Pittosporum 'Irish Luck' is a hardy evergreen shrub known for its dense, bright green foliage and tidy growth habit. This versatile plant is well...

From$22.01
Lagerstroemia 'Townhouse' specimen tree with masses of white flowers and lush, green foliage.
Lagerstroemia 'Townhouse'

Lagerstroemia ‘Townhouse’ is a compact crepe myrtle selected for its tidy growth habit and reliable summer flowering. This variety is ideal for...

From$515.35
geum-tempo-yellow-
Geum 'Tempo Yellow'

Geum 'Tempo Yellow' is a cheerful perennial that produces bright yellow flowers over a long flowering period, adding vibrant colour to NZ gardens...

From$16.95
euphorbia-trigona--2
Euphorbia trigona

Euphorbia trigona (African Milk Tree) is a striking succulent prized for its upright branching stems, architectural form, and easy care nature. The...

From$37.19
syagrus-romanzoffiana-
Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm)

Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm) is a graceful, fast growing palm known for its arching fronds and tropical appearance. This elegant tree adds...

From$202.44
cuphea-ignea-alba-1
Cuphea hyssopifolia alba

Cuphea hyssopifolia Alba is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its masses of delicate white flowers that bloom continuously through the warmer...

From$21.39
strelitzia-nicolai-
Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird Of Paradise Plant)

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird Of Paradise) is a bold, architectural plant known for its large banana like leaves and striking white and blue...

From$44.09
Choisya ternata with lush foliage and white flowers.
Choisya ternata (Mexican Mock Orange)

Choisya ternata, commonly known as Mexican Orange Blossom, is a lush, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy green foliage and clusters of fragrant...

From$24.77
Gardenia florida spectacular white flower amidst dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Florida'

Gardenia florida is a compact, evergreen shrub renowned for its glossy, green foliage and richly fragrant, white blooms that appear from late spring...

From$18.95
Bougainvillea 'Hawaiian Orange' flowers.
Bougainvillea 'Hawaiian Orange'

Bougainvillea ‘Hawaiian Orange’ is a stunning and vigorous climber that produces a brilliant display of fiery orange bracts throughout the warmer...

From$30.29
Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue' speciment tree.
Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue'

Pittosporum ‘Wrinkled Blue’ is an attractive, upright evergreen tree known for its distinctive blue-grey foliage and dense, columnar growth habit...

From$22.01
pimelea-mimosa--1
Pimelea mimosa

Pimelea mimosa is an attractive evergreen shrub valued for its fine textured foliage, compact growth habit, and clusters of delicate flowers. This...

From$15.95
Stromanthe triostar plant.
Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant)

Stromanthe Triostar is a popular indoor plant owing to its lush and colourful foliage. It features elegant, dark green, pink, and cream-coloured...

From$33.05
strelitzia-reginae--3
Strelitzia reginae (Orange Bird Of Paradise)

Strelitzia reginae (Crane Flower, Bird Of Paradise) is an iconic tropical plant known for its bold orange and blue flowers that resemble a bird in...

From$44.09
Buxus 'Green Gem'

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

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Why Buxus Spacing Matters

Buxus, commonly known as boxwood, are popular for their dense, compact growth and versatility. Proper buxus spacing ensures each plant has enough room to develop a strong root system and bushy top growth. If planted too closely, buxus can quickly become crowded, leading to poor air circulation and increased risk of fungal diseases. On the other hand, wide buxus spacing can leave gaps in your hedge, taking years to fill in.

Recommended Buxus Spacing for Hedges

For most traditional buxus varieties, such as Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood), a general guideline for hedge planting is to space each plant about 30 to 40 centimetres apart (measured from centre to centre). If you’re looking for a slower-growing, denser option like Buxus 'Green Gem', you may want to plant a bit closer, around 25 to 30 centimetres. Faster-growing cultivars, such as Buxus microphylla 'Japonica' (Japanese Box) or hardy types like Buxus 'Winter Gem', can also be planted 30 to 40 centimetres apart for a solid hedge.

For particularly formal or low hedges, buxus spacing can be reduced to 20 to 25 centimetres. This encourages your plants to knit together quickly, giving you a flawless, sculpted look in less time.

Buxus Spacing for Borders and Topiary

When using buxus for edging or topiary shapes, buxus spacing can be slightly wider, depending on how thick and lush you want the feature to be. For soft, informal borders, space buxus plants 40 to 50 centimetres apart. If you’re planting large specimen Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood), give each plant at least 50 centimetres so they can show off their natural form.

Tips for Planting Buxus

Perfecting your buxus spacing will reward you with healthy, robust plants and stunning hedges or topiary for years to come. Explore our range of buxus varieties, including Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood), Buxus 'Green Gem', Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood), Buxus 'Winter Gem', and Buxus microphylla 'Japonica' (Japanese Box), to find the perfect match for your landscape plans.

Contact us

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.

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