Green Gem Boxwood

Buxus x 'Green Gem'

$54⁴⁰

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Plant Size

#1 Container #2 Container #3 Container

Product variants

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Attracts pollinators, Cold hardy, Compact/Dwarf, Container Friendly, Deer-resistant, Evergreen, Full Sun, Hedge/Screen, Low Maintenance, Non-invasive, Rabbit Resistant, and Shade Tolerant

Specifications

Botanical Name

Buxus x 'Green Gem'
Height

3 ft
Width

3 ft
Growing Zones

4-9
Sunlight
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- White
- Green
Leaf Color
- Green
Fall Color

Evergreen
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Late Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, TN

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Aim for a spot that receives 5-6 hours of sun, ideally morning sun, and dappled shade in the afternoon. While 'Green Gem' can handle full sun, the intense summer rays or winter exposure can cause the foliage to bronze, shifting its deep green color.
Soil: The one essential requirement is excellent drainage; Boxwood roots hate "wet feet" and will quickly succumb to root rot in soggy conditions. If you have heavy clay, incorporate plenty of coarse organic matter, like compost, or plant on a slight berm to ensure water sheds away quickly.

Watering Requirements

For the first year or two, your Boxwood needs consistent moisture to establish its shallow root system, so water deeply once a week, especially in hot, dry weather. Once it is established, 'Green Gem' is quite drought tolerant and will only require supplemental watering during extended dry periods. Inconsistent watering, however, will stress the plant, leading to yellowing leaves and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.

Pruning Tips

Boxwood is grown for its foliage and produces growth on new wood. The best long-term care involves thinning, which means reaching inside the shrub and snipping small branches to open up the canopy. Perform this in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Thinning is essential because it allows sunlight and air to penetrate the interior, preventing the fungal issues that thrive in dense, damp foliage and ensuring a healthy, full shrub.

Fertilizer Needs

'Green Gem' is not a heavy feeder, so a light application of a slow-release, balanced granular fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) in early spring is usually all it needs to support its new foliage. What to avoid: Do not feed your Boxwood after mid-July. Fertilizing too late in the season encourages a soft flush of new growth that will not have time to harden off before fall frosts, resulting in tender tip burn and damage.

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Growing Zones 4-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

What makes Green Gem Boxwood special?
It naturally grows into a perfect little green ball without pruning and stays vibrant green all year, even through harsh winters.

What Growing Conditions Does It Need?

Green Gem thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with partial to full sun (4-6 hours daily). It prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil and grows into a compact 2-3 feet tall and wide ball. This dwarf boxwood handles both summer heat and winter cold like a champ.

How Do I Plant and Care for Green Gem Boxwood?

Plant in spring or fall, spacing 2-3 feet apart for low hedges or 3-4 feet for individual specimens. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, plant at the same depth it was growing, and water thoroughly.

Water regularly the first year while roots establish, then only during dry spells. Apply slow-release fertilizer in early spring and add 2 inches of mulch around the base. Light shaping in late spring keeps it tidy, though it naturally maintains its round shape.

What Are the Key Benefits?

You'll get year-round structure without the work since Green Gem keeps its shape naturally. It's perfect for small spaces and containers where larger boxwoods won't fit. The dense evergreen foliage creates instant privacy for low borders and defines garden spaces beautifully.

This tough little shrub bounces back from deer browsing and handles urban conditions better than most evergreens.

What Should I Know Before Buying?

Green Gem works best in spots with morning sun and afternoon shade in hot climates. It's slower growing than other boxwoods, reaching full size in 5-7 years. While deer-resistant, it's not deer-proof in areas with high pressure.

Plant with other compact evergreens for year-round interest or use as a green backdrop for colorful perennials. Spring planting gives the best establishment before summer heat. Consider companion plants like hostas or astilbe for shady spots.

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Green Gem Boxwood

Buxus x 'Green Gem'

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Specifications