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types of buxus hedging

Buxus, or boxwood, is one of the most popular and versatile choices for creating hardy, evergreen hedges in New Zealand gardens. With their dense growth and tidy, compact foliage, Buxus hedges provide stylish structure to formal garden designs, offer privacy, and can even be shaped into neat topiary forms. If you are searching for the best types of buxus hedging for your landscape, it’s important to consider the various cultivars, each offering distinct growth habits, leaf sizes, and colouring. Below, we introduce several favoured options for New Zealand gardeners and offer guidance on selecting the ideal variety for your garden.

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 lighter in colour being lime green and glossy. It typically grows to 1.5 m tall and the same wide and can be trimmed as necessary.

Buy Buxus microphylla 'Japonica' (Japanese Box)

From $99.95

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.50 m

Spread: 1.50 m

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen, Topiary

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, 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.

Buy Buxus microphylla 'Independence'

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

Why Choose Buxus for Hedging

Buxus hedging is prized for its year-round lushness, low-maintenance care, and tolerance to repeated trimming. These hedges adapt well to a wide range of growing conditions, including both sun and partial shade, and thrive in most well-drained soils. Their ability to respond to pruning makes them a perfect choice for both formal and informal hedges, providing shape and structure no matter the garden style.

Popular Types of Buxus Hedging in New Zealand

When it comes to types of buxus hedging, there are several outstanding cultivars to consider:

Buxus microphylla 'Independence'

A top pick for compact, dense hedging, Buxus microphylla 'Independence' is valued for its small leaves and neat growth habit. This variety is slower growing, making it ideal for low, tightly-clipped borders or parterre designs. It is well-suited for coastal conditions and resists leaf burn better than some other forms.

Buxus microphylla 'Japonica' (Japanese Box)

Known for its lush, glossy green leaves and robust growth, Buxus microphylla 'Japonica' (Japanese Box) is a favourite for formal hedging. It is more tolerant of warmer climates compared to English box, grows faster, and responds well to regular shaping, making it a reliable option for medium-sized or tall hedges.

Buxus 'John Baldwin'

If you need a hedge that holds its shape and offers a refined look, Buxus 'John Baldwin' is an excellent choice. This variety is valued for its upright form and resistance to disease. Its finer foliage and moderate growth rate make it easy to maintain a crisp, formal edge, even with less frequent clipping.

Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood)

For a touch of variation, Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood) brings subtle variegation to the garden. Its striking silver-edged leaves add contrast and interest, especially when planted alongside darker green varieties. It’s especially effective as a feature in more decorative hedging designs.

Buxus 'Handsworthiensis'

Renowned for its vigour and robust habit, Buxus 'Handsworthiensis' is another popular choice among the types of buxus hedging. It is ideal for larger hedges and can cope with less-intense maintenance while still presenting a shapely, dense screen.

Choosing the Right Buxus for Your Hedge

When deciding among the different types of buxus hedging, consider your desired hedge height, growth speed, and overall appearance. Fast-growing varieties like Japonica are suited to medium to tall hedges, while slower, denser forms such as Independence are perfect for compact borders. For adding flair, opt for a variegated form like Silver Beauty. Whichever variety you choose, Buxus hedges reward with longevity and structural appeal, creating a lush, evergreen framework for your garden year-round.

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.

types of buxus hedging

Buxus microphylla 'Japonica' (Japanese Box)

Buxus microphylla 'Independence'

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Why Choose Buxus for Hedging