boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Mary Gamble') plant — close-up photo
Moderate to grow

boxwood

Buxus sempervirens 'Mary Gamble'

Overview

Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Mary Gamble') is a wonderful evergreen shrub that stands out in any garden. Its bright green foliage turns a purple-bronze color in the fall and winter and it produces fragrant white blooms that attract bees and other pollinators. It is highly drought-tolerant and its dense growth habit makes it ideal for hedging, borders and screens. It is also incredibly low maintenance and can be easily pruned and trained to whatever shape you choose. If you’re looking for a truly amazing and versatile shrub, then boxwood is the way to go.

Care Guide

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Watering

Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Mary Gamble') should generally be watered once a week during the spring and summer growing season. When watering, soak the soil thoroughly until water runs out of the bottom of the pots. In the winter, water every 2 to 3 weeks. If your climate is particularly dry during the winter months, water once a week. When in doubt, soil should be allowed to dry out in between watering. Too much water can lead to root rot.

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Light

Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Mary Gamble') prefers full to partial sun (at least 4 hours of direct sun daily). During the summer months, boxwood can benefit from some afternoon shade, as prolonged, full midday sun may cause some dieback and leaf burn. However, during cooler months, boxwood prefers full sun exposure to maximize growth.

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Soil

Alkaline, Well-drained

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Temperature

Hardiness zone 5–8.

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Pruning

Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Mary Gamble') should be pruned at least once a year for best results. Pruning should be done in mid to late spring to ensure maximum growth and health of the plant. The amount of pruning will depend on the age and health of the boxwood, the size and density of the desired shape, and the local climate. Generally, it is best to prune only a quarter to a third of new growth on the boxwood each year. Branches can be pruned all the way back to the trunk for rejuvenation of the plant, while dense shaping can be done be thinning out and removing some branches.

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Propagation

Greenwood Cuttings, Grafting Propagation

Diseases & Pests

Common pests: Dieback, Leaf miner insect, Whitefly, psyllids, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought resistant .

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