‘Green Mountain’ boxwood is a woody, broadleaf, evergreen shrub or small tree in the Buxaceae family developed in Canada at Sheridan Nurseries in the mid-1960's. Buxus is the Latin name for boxwood or box tree. Originally from Europe and Asia, boxwoods are one of the oldest known garden plants, dating back to 4000 BC. It is noted for its dense, upright, pyramidal shape that tends to fill out right to the ground. It is a slow grower and will mature to 2 to 3 feet wide and 4 to 5 feet high. It grows best in partial shade to full sun; morning sun is preferable. It will tolerate a variety of soil textures as long as they drain well. Protect ‘Green Mountain’ boxwood from winter winds, as they can cause dehydration and bronzing. Remove any accumulated snow to protect the branches. Limit cultivation around the shallow roots as it can damage the plant. Protect the roots with a layer of mulch. Thinning plants annually through pruning will assist air circulation. Prune after the last frost. ‘Green Mountain’ boxwood can easily be shaped into a formal hedge and is sometimes seen pruned to a decorative spiral-shaped topiary. It is common in English gardens and winter gardens and is good for pollinator gardens as it attracts bees. Quick ID Hints Opposite leaf arrangement Stems are square with distinct corners Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Moderately susceptible to boxwood blight. Root rot can also be an issue in wet locations. Insects affecting boxwood include boxwood leaf miner, boxwood mite, and boxwood psyllid. Nematodes are an issue in the deep south. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common boxwood insect pests and diseases. For suitable alternatives, see this video created by Charlotte Glen as part of the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens series. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Buxus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Often confused withBuxus 'Green Velvet'
Fills a similar nicheBuxus 'Green Velvet'Buxus microphyllaBuxus sempervirens 'Vardar Valley'
Similar, less problematicDistyliumViburnum obovatum 'Raulston Hardy'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Pyramidal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Lustrous deep green glossy simple, opposite, ovate to elliptical leaves with smooth margins 3/4" long.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Non-showy clusters at leaf axils that bees find attractive for the short period of flower.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Insignificant, not often visible
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
New stems green, mature to brown, square shape with distinct corners.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Developed in Canada at Sheridan Nurseries
Attracts
Bees
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Meadow; Naturalized Area; Walkways
Landscape theme
English Garden; Pollinator Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Barrier; Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Mass Planting; Small Tree
Garden tags
#evergreen #rabbit resistant #foundation planting #wind tolerant #air pollution tolerant #formal garden #specimen #winter interest #deer resistant #problem for cats #problem for dogs #problem for horses #small tree #topiary #mass planting #glossy leaves #hedge #accent #small groups
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Pests of Boxwood; Boxwood Mite; Boxwood Psyllid; Boxwood Pest Management Calendar; Oystershell Scale Insect on Ornamental Plants
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses