The classic clipped evergreen, with small, glossy leaves and a dense habit that takes shearing better than almost anything. In Phoenix, Japanese boxwood is the type most often grown, and it does best where it gets some relief from afternoon sun.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the shrub schedule in our Landscape Care guide. It needs steadier moisture than desert shrubs, especially through summer. Well-drained, amended soil and a layer of mulch help, since it grows best in less alkaline conditions than native Phoenix soil.
Pruning
Shear lightly and often during the growing season to keep a crisp shape. Avoid cutting deep into bare interior wood all at once, and skip heavy shearing during the hottest weeks of summer.
Heat and sun
Summer heat is its main stress here. North and east exposures keep it green; full western sun and reflected heat lead to scorch and thinning.
Pests
Spider mites and scale can show up in summer. A strong rinse of water helps with mites; scale may need treatment.
How our designers use it
Formal hedges and edging
It defines walkways, bed edges and geometric gardens with a clean line that holds all year.
Entries and courtyards
Clipped balls or low hedges bring structure to shaded entries and enclosed courtyards.
Containers
It holds a shape well in pots flanking a door or set along a shaded patio.
Good to know
Around the pool
Very low litter and no thorns, so it works near the water in spots that get afternoon shade.
Pets
Boxwood is on the ASPCA’s list of plants toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Keep that in mind if pets tend to chew on shrubs.
