The Boxwood plant is a dense, deep green, foliage shrub that is native to Europe and Asia. It is a common shrub, much loved all around the world. A member of the evergreen family, the boxwood plant is beloved on the account that its beauty does not diminish even in winter, and as it is also known to be a living sculpture, great for decorating the garden, patio, or rooftop.
Boxwoods in planters are especially popular for framing doorways, lining pavements, and showing off intricate designs of topiaries. For all these purposes, the evergreen boxwoods work best when planted in containers. These shrubs are the ideal planter plant; they will continue to delight your clients and their visitors for the seasons to come.
Create your masterpiece landscape with boxwoods in pots, where they will thrive in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about planting these wondrous plants in containers.
Table of Contents
Why Are Boxwoods Perfect for Containers?
The evergreen boxwoods have a notable place in landscape history. They have graced the gardens of Egypt since 4000 BC, reportedly, this greenery was trimmed into formal hedges.
Boxwoods in planters are also a celebrated icon of manicured French country gardens. Traditionally, the French viewed the home as the focal point of the garden, paying special attention to the beauty and charm of their yard. Here, boxwoods are typically grown in pots lining the pathways leading guests from the entryway to the outdoors of the house.
7 Landscaping Ideas For Your Boxwood Planter
Add a little French touch to your patio or garden with your own boxwood in planters. Here are 8 fresh landscaping ideas for boxwoods in pots that are easy to maintain and look great from Spring to Winter, as well as the best pot to accompany it!
1. Create A Dramatic Entrance
Search no further for a way to highlight the doorway of your customer’s home or business – boxwoods in planters frame the subject in dramatic ways that few other plants can achieve. This turns an ordinary entryway into a stately entrance that everyone will take notice of. Boxwood planters front door arrangements can significantly boost curb appeal.
Looking for more ways to make your home’s entrance stand out? Check out our guide on front yard landscaping with potted plants for plenty of inspiration and tips to create a welcoming and beautiful space.
2. Make Stunning Tabletop Centerpieces
Boxwoods make beautiful centerpieces. A crowd-pleaser, especially during the holiday season when there’s snow on the ground, the boxwood greenery will fill any room with nature and warmth. Whether it is for a special occasion or to decorate a table, it is best displayed somewhere with sufficient sunlight.
3. Divide Outdoor Space
If your client has a large outdoor space, boxwood hedges are a great way to create garden rooms. The division can add privacy for residential homes or separate spaces for commercial use. The boxwood shrub with its dense foliage is perfect for this.
Planting the boxwood in a container makes it a more functional and effective divider – the container adds extra height and has the added plus of being easy to move around.
For even more options, explore our selection of large lightweight planters for trees. They’re perfect for creating versatile and stylish outdoor spaces.
4. Trim Topiaries
Topiary is the art of clipping shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes. Boxwoods are fundamentally a great plant for topiaries given their dense and small leaves that hold shapes well. The ball shape easily comes to mind; the roundness of the ball is a playful and appealing shape for many.
Often customers will opt to use the ball boxwood in front of their house or shop. Of course, there are other shapes that can show off your client’s unique character. The boxwood is literally a living sculpture and can be trimmed to almost any design.
5. Grow a Flower Backdrop
The intense greenery of the boxwood plant makes it a wonderful backdrop to flowering plants. Given that the boxwoods will be green all through winter, we suggest choosing annual flowers as well.
Great choices include the Canna Lily, Petunia, or Verbena to boost a colorful, cheerful winter-proof garden. No filters are needed. Boxwood planters with flowers create a vibrant and dynamic garden display.
6. Go for Farmhouse Chic
The farmhouse rustic vibes are trending in homes, restaurants, and even hotels. A simple way to incorporate greenery into this look is with the humble boxwood plant. The boxwood shrubs can live in small containers scattered across the premises or in rows along a fenceline.
7. Curb Appeal
The boxwood plant has long been an industry favorite for curb appeal. It is easy to place in pots around the hardscape of the property, such as a patio or parking spots. In addition, boxwood in planters creates a more secure perimeter around the property.
Best Type of Boxwood for Containers
When choosing the best type of boxwood for containers, it’s important to consider their growth habits and maintenance requirements. Here are some of the top varieties ideal for container planting:
- Green Mountain Boxwood (Buxus ‘Green Mountain’): This variety is known for its upright, conical shape, making it perfect for topiary and formal garden designs. It’s hardy and retains its dark green color throughout winter.
- Green Velvet Boxwood (Buxus ‘Green Velvet’): Green Velvet is a hybrid boxwood that combines the best characteristics of its parent plants. It has a rounded shape and dense foliage, making it ideal for small to medium-sized containers.
- Wintergreen Boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. koreana ‘Wintergreen’): This variety is known for its excellent cold tolerance and low-maintenance requirements. Wintergreen boxwoods are compact and have a slower growth rate, making them suitable for containers.
- Dwarf English Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’): Dwarf English Boxwoods are perfect for small containers or when you need a low-growing hedge. They have fine, dense foliage and a compact growth habit.
- Japanese Boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica): Japanese Boxwoods are versatile and can adapt to a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. They have a moderate growth rate and are resistant to common boxwood diseases.
How to Care for Your Container Boxwoods
If you opt for real and not artificial boxwood, here are some great tips for caring for your boxwoods in planters.
Soil
Boxwood plants prefer a soil condition with pH levels around 6.8 to 7.5. The soil also needs to be well-drained in order to avoid oversoaking the root ball and causing root rot. Make sure planters with drainage holes are used for the container garden. Choosing the best soil for boxwoods in containers is essential for their health.
Watering
The boxwood plant needs regular hydration, especially during its first two years of life. As they are shallow-rooted, be sure to water them more frequently during hot weather. If the newest foliage is browning, this is a sign to pick up the watering. Boxwoods in containers require attentive watering schedules to thrive.
Fertilizer
For boxwoods growing in pots, fertilizer is key to getting it enough nutrients for healthy growth. Mulch, compost, or tree-formulated fertilizer works best to boost this greenery.
Pruning
Out of most plants in the garden, the boxwood is renowned for its tolerance to pruning. However, avoid pruning in late autumn to avoid winter burn. Regular boxwood in planter care includes timely pruning.
Artificial Boxwood
Of course, using artificial boxwood is also an option. Artificial plants have increased in quality and can look as good as real ones. The great news about artificial boxwood is that it requires no maintenance, pruning, trimming, or sunlight. Even better – the topiary shape never changes!
Repotting
The boxwood plant needs to be repotted every two to five years on account of it growing out of its container. During transplanting, make sure you can dig out enough of the root ball, then place the root ball at least an inch lower than the soil surface of its new container. Proper repotting ensures the health and longevity of your boxwoods in containers.
Top Plant Pots for Boxwoods
Jay Scotts’ fiberglass planters stand out as a sustainable solution for modern landscaping. Crafted from durable, weather-resistant materials, they offer long-term performance without compromising on style. Designed for both functionality and aesthetics, these planters are ideal for eco-conscious spaces. Explore the Jay Scotts collection to elevate your space with lasting quality.
We Understand Evergreen Boxwoods & Artificial Boxwood – We Know Their Planters
If your landscaping project requires boxwood plants in containers, you have come to the right place. Jay Scotts outdoor and indoor planters are designed to make the most of greenery. Made from commercial-grade fiberglass and finished with UV-proof paint, they will last for years on your patio, rooftop, or garden.
Plant with confidence when using our high-quality and durable planters. We are committed to our products and every single container comes with an industry-leading three-year warranty. Check out our product range on our website, and select from many shapes and styles and 20 wonderful colors.
Feel free to give us a call and our team will be more than happy to walk you through any outstanding questions or requests you might have on shipping, delivery, price, or style!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, boxwoods can grow in planters and thrive in both indoor and outdoor spaces, making them a versatile choice for various landscaping needs.
Boxwoods prefer partial shade to full sun. They thrive best in locations where they receive at least a few hours of sunlight each day.
The container for boxwoods should be large enough to accommodate their root system. A container that is at least 18-24 inches in diameter and depth is generally recommended for most boxwood varieties.
Potted boxwoods may die due to a variety of reasons, including overwatering, underwatering, poor drainage, or pests. Ensuring proper care and monitoring soil moisture levels can help prevent this.
Boxwood leaves may turn brown due to several factors, such as insufficient watering, root rot, winter burn, or pest infestations. Assessing and addressing these issues promptly can help revive the plant.
Boxwoods need regular watering, especially during their first two years. Ensure the soil is consistently moist but not waterlogged, adjusting frequency based on weather conditions.
Boxwoods need regular watering, especially during their first two years. Ensure the soil is consistently moist but not waterlogged, adjusting frequency based on weather conditions.