12+ Drought Resistant Boxwood Varieties

Drought-resistant boxwood varieties have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among gardeners and landscaping professionals seeking to create beautiful, low-maintenance hedges and topiaries. Boxwood, known for its versatility and ability to be shaped into various forms, can be quite demanding in terms of water requirements. However, with the advent of drought-resistant varieties, it’s now possible to enjoy the benefits of boxwood without worrying about excessive water consumption.

Understanding Drought Resistance in Boxwood

Before diving into the various drought-resistant boxwood varieties, it’s essential to understand what makes a boxwood drought-resistant. Drought resistance in boxwood is often a result of selective breeding and cultivation practices aimed at enhancing the plant’s natural ability to survive with minimal water. This can include deeper root systems, thicker leaves, and other physiological adaptations that help the plant conserve water.

Top Drought-Resistant Boxwood Varieties

1. Boxwood ‘Winter Gem’: Known for its compact growth and small, rounded leaves, ‘Winter Gem’ is a popular choice for hedges and borders. It exhibits good drought tolerance once established, making it an excellent option for areas with occasional water scarcity.

2. Boxwood ‘Wintergreen’: Similar to ‘Winter Gem’, ‘Wintergreen’ offers excellent cold hardiness and drought resistance. Its leaves retain their green color even in the harshest winters, and it requires less watering compared to other boxwood varieties.

3. Boxwood ‘Green Velvet’: This variety is a cross between the English and American boxwood, offering the best of both worlds in terms of hardiness and drought tolerance. ‘Green Velvet’ has a compact, velvety texture and maintains its color well during the winter months.

4. Boxwood ‘Green Mountain’: With its upright growth habit, ‘Green Mountain’ is ideal for creating tall hedges or screens. It demonstrates good resistance to drought, although regular watering will promote healthier growth and denser foliage.

5. Boxwood ‘Golden Dream’: For those looking to add a touch of color to their landscape, ‘Golden Dream’ offers variegated foliage with golden edges. While it requires slightly more care due to its variegation, it still exhibits a decent level of drought tolerance.

6. Boxwood ‘Fastigiata’: This variety is known for its columnar growth habit, making it perfect for topiaries or narrow hedges. ‘Fastigiata’ shows moderate drought resistance and can thrive with less frequent watering, although consistent moisture promotes the best growth.

7. Boxwood ‘Rotundifolia’: Characterized by its rounded leaves, ‘Rotundifolia’ is another variety that exhibits drought tolerance. Its slow growth rate means it requires less pruning, and it can survive with minimal watering once established.

8. Boxwood ‘Suffruticosa’: Also known as Dutch boxwood, ‘Suffruticosa’ is compact and dense, making it ideal for borders and low hedges. It has a moderate level of drought resistance, although it will benefit from occasional watering during extremely dry periods.

9. Boxwood ‘Justin Brouwers’: A compact, slow-growing variety, ‘Justin Brouwers’ is perfect for small gardens or container planting. It shows good drought tolerance and maintains its dark green foliage color even in less favorable conditions.

10. Boxwood ‘Economica’: Known for its economy in growth, ‘Economica’ offers a dense, compact form without the need for frequent pruning. It has a good level of drought resistance, making it suitable for a variety of landscaping needs.

11. Boxwood ‘Morris Midget’: As its name suggests, ‘Morris Midget’ is a small, compact variety of boxwood. It’s highly resistant to drought and can thrive in a range of conditions, from full sun to partial shade.

12. Boxwood ‘Compactus’: With its naturally compact growth, ‘Compactus’ is another variety that’s highly resistant to drought. It’s perfect for creating small hedges, borders, or even container gardens where water might be scarce.

Additional Considerations for Drought-Resistant Boxwood

While these varieties offer improved drought resistance, it’s essential to remember that even drought-resistant plants require some watering, especially during their initial establishment phase. Proper care, including mulching around the base to retain moisture and reduce soil temperature fluctuations, can significantly enhance the drought tolerance of your boxwood.

Care and Maintenance of Drought-Resistant Boxwood

• Watering: While drought-resistant, these boxwood varieties will still require occasional watering, especially during prolonged dry spells. However, avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot and other problems.
• Pruning: Regular pruning helps maintain shape and promotes healthy growth. For most varieties, pruning once or twice a year is sufficient, depending on the desired shape and growth rate.
• Mulching: Mulching around the base of your boxwood helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulch like wood chips or bark is ideal.

Conclusion

Drought-resistant boxwood varieties offer a versatile and sustainable solution for gardeners and landscaping professionals looking to create beautiful, low-maintenance landscapes. By understanding the specific needs and characteristics of each variety, you can make informed decisions about which boxwood to choose for your project. Whether you’re aiming to create intricate topiaries, compact hedges, or simply add some greenery to your garden, there’s a drought-resistant boxwood variety to suit your needs.