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small box hedge

A small box hedge is a timeless and elegant way to frame your garden, create borders, or introduce classic style to patios and pathways. Beloved by New Zealand homeowners and landscape designers alike, the small box hedge brings structure and year-round greenery to spaces both large and modest. Whether you’re looking to develop a formal parterre, define a driveway, or edge your cottage garden, these compact hedging plants offer lush foliage, neat lines, and easy shaping. Discover why a small box hedge is an enduring favourite and explore the best varieties and alternatives for your unique garden.

Buxus 'Silver Beauty' plant with dark green and yellow variegated foliage.

Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood)

5 from 1 customers

Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty', commonly known as Box Hedge, features small leaves that are dark green with irregular, cream-silver margins, and held densely on short stems. Left untrimmed it will eventually grow to 1 m tall and 1.2 m wide.

From $99.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Rock

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.

From $16.95

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
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$44.95
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
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
westringia-aussie-box-
Westringia 'Aussie Box'

Westringia 'Aussie Box' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its dense bright green foliage, naturally rounded habit, and small white flowers that...

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

Westringia 'Grey Box' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its soft grey green foliage, naturally dense rounded habit, and small white flowers...

From$18.95
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...

From$99.95
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
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
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
feijoa-bambina-
Feijoa 'Bambina'

Feijoa 'Bambina' is a compact, dwarf variety perfect for small gardens, patios, and containers. It grows to around 1.5 m tall and wide, forming a...

From$35.81
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
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
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$99.95
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
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
Pittosporum 'Oliver Twist' small, green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Oliver Twist'

Pittosporum 'Oliver Twist' is a NZ native shrub with small, olive-green leaves held densely on narrow, black stems. This evergreen typically grows to...

From$22.01
Corokia 'Sunsplash' shrub with yellow foliage in a garden.
Corokia 'Sunsplash'

Corokia 'Sunsplash' is a NZ native shrub grown for its impressive foliage. It features small leaves that are variegated yellow with a central splash...

From$16.95
An informal Escallonia 'Pink Elle' hedge growing alongside a fence.
Escallonia 'Pink Elle'

Escallonia 'Pink Elle' is a compact variety of Escallonia, prized for its attractive foliage and small, fragrant flowers. Glossy, green leaves give...

From$99.95
Coprosma robusta (Karamu) shrub growing as a specimen in a garden.
Coprosma robusta (Karamu)

Coprosma robusta, commonly known as Karamu, is a versatile New Zealand native shrub or small tree reaching up to 6 metres in height. It features...

From$7.50
osmanthus-heterophyllus-
Osmanthus heterophyllus

Osmanthus heterophyllus, commonly known as False Holly, is an evergreen shrub grown for its attractive foliage and pretty flowers. It produces spiny...

From$37.19
Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo) olive-green foliage and red flowers.
Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo)

Pittosporum crassifolium, commonly known as Karo, is a hardy, evergreen shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. It features dense, grey-green...

From$15.04
Small Corokia 'Bronze King' plants with colourful, bronze-coloured foliage.
Corokia 'Bronze King'

Corokia 'Bronze King' is a handsome, NZ native shrub featuring bronze-dark green foliage that deepens in colour through winter. Small and yellow...

From$16.95
Corokia 'Geentys Giant' green leaves.
Corokia 'Geenty's Giant'

Corokia 'Geenty's Giant' is a hardy, NZ native shrub that bears green-yellow foliage held densely on slender, upright branches. Masses of small...

From$16.95
Elegant Michelia 'Bubbles' admisdt lush, green foliage.
Michelia 'Bubbles'

Michelia ‘Bubbles’ is a striking evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its glossy green foliage and masses of creamy white, fragrant flowers that...

From$41.33
Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

From$18.95
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
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
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
Corokia cheesemanii shrub with grey-green foliage growing in a border garden.
Corokia cheesemanii

Corokia cheesemanii is a hardy, NZ native shrub that grows with a bushy habit and features attractive, olive green-silver foliage. The small leaves...

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
Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood)

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

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Why Choose a Small Box Hedge?

A small box hedge delivers classic beauty with minimal fuss. Thanks to its slow growth and dense, evergreen leaves, it’s ideal for low hedges and garden borders that need to stay looking pristine throughout all four seasons. With the right pruning, you can keep your small box hedge neatly trimmed to heights starting as low as 30 to 60 centimetres, suiting modern outdoor spaces, tidy cottage gardens, and formal designs. This versatility makes the small box hedge a top pick for urban courtyards, front entries, and pathways.

Best Plants for Small Box Hedge

New Zealand gardeners have a variety of small-leaved options to ensure year-round appeal and ease of care. The classic Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood) is prized for forming tight, glossy hedges that respond beautifully to regular clipping. For a touch of innovation in your border, Buxus microphylla 'Independence' offers superior disease resistance and compact growth, making it a practical and reliable choice. Looking for something a little unusual? Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood) brings a subtle variegation to the traditional box hedge look.

If you fancy a touch of whimsy or a less conventional edge, Buxus 'Curly Locks' (Chinese Box Plant) features uniquely twisted foliage while still maintaining a dense shape. For gardeners wanting a practical alternative to box, Lonicera nitida makes a brilliant hedging plant with fine, evergreen leaves, rapid establishment, and good tolerance of New Zealand climates.

Planting and Maintaining Your Small Box Hedge

To achieve a neat, healthy small box hedge, plant young shrubs in well-drained soil with protection from extreme wind and hot afternoon sun. Position them 20 to 30 centimetres apart for a seamless, dense barrier. Regular light pruning is key to maintaining that sharp, geometric finish. Feed your hedge in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser and mulch generously to conserve moisture.

Water your small box hedge well as it establishes, but avoid soggy or waterlogged roots. Keep an eye out for any leaf yellowing or pests, and consider disease-resistant varieties like Buxus microphylla 'Independence' for worry-free hedging.

Small Box Hedges for Every Garden

From timeless topiary to contemporary garden edges, the small box hedge offers a versatile, low-maintenance solution to your outdoor design needs. Explore top-performing varieties, including Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood), Buxus 'Curly Locks' (Chinese Box Plant), and Lonicera nitida, so you can design borders that truly suit your space. With a little seasonal care, your small box hedge will remain a crisp, green feature for years to come.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Corokia 'Bronze King' and Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant) may be the stars of the show, but unsung heroes like Juniperus procumbens Nana (Japanese Dwarf Juniper), Gardenia 'Fragrant Star', and Robinia 'Frisia' deserve a moment in the sun.
–The Plant Company

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