Boxwood (Buxus microphylla 'Green Pillow')
Buxus microphylla 'Green Pillow' Boxwood is a dwarf, slow-growing evergreen perfect for low hedges, edging, and formal settings in zones 6-9.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’, commonly known as Boxwood, offers exceptional structure and reliable evergreen color for smaller garden spaces. This slow-growing, densely-branched shrub forms a naturally low-mounded, dense dome, making it a highly desirable choice for foundational plantings and low hedging where space is limited. The tiny, leathery leaves maintain a rich medium green throughout the year, with only minor bronzing possible in harsh winter conditions.
The value of this particular Boxwood cultivar lies in its manageable, compact size and its ability to provide formal structure year-round. Unlike many standards, Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’ is specifically bred to remain relatively low, achieving heights typically around 2 to 3 feet, perfect for defining borders without overwhelming the sightlines of the landscape.
As a versatile broadleaf evergreen, it performs best when sited carefully to avoid the harshest environmental stressors. Providing protection from intense winter winds and full, all-day winter sun enhances the foliage quality and vigor of your Boxwood planting, ensuring the ‘Green Pillow’ shape remains dense and attractive.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Buxaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Greenish-cream
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The optimal environment for Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’ involves evenly moist, well-drained loams, ideally a sand-clay mixture that prevents soggy roots. Plant in full sun through to light shade; morning sun paired with afternoon shade is excellent, though the shrub can handle more sun if moisture is adequate. Plants established in deep shade tend to be less vigorous and more open, losing some of that desired dense, pillow-like habit.
Water needs are medium, requiring consistent moisture, particularly when establishing the shallow root system. Because these roots run close to the surface, avoid cultivating too deeply around the plant. Instead, apply a 1-2 inch organic mulch, like compost or bark, to regulate soil temperature and moisture retention.
Pruning and shaping are generally minimal due to the cultivar’s naturally mounding habit, but shearing is tolerated. Crucially, never prune before the last expected spring frost; fresh, tender growth stimulated early in the season is extremely susceptible to being nipped back by late frosts. Annual thinning to remove dead or damaged branches will improve essential air circulation within the dense foliage of your Boxwood.
Landscape Uses
Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’ excels as a slow-growing dwarf anchor in the landscape. Its consistent, tight habit makes it ideal for use as a low border along walkways where maintenance pruning is infrequent. Consider mass plantings to create a uniform carpet effect or utilize singular specimens where a dense, green dome is needed to contrast with finer-textured perennials or taller shrubs.
Given its moderate size, this Boxwood is indispensable in formal garden designs, foundation plantings that require low clearance, or tightly tailored low hedges. It pairs beautifully with stone elements or other structural plants that tolerate similar sun and drainage needs. For container gardening, ‘Green Pillow’ provides reliable year-round structure, provided containers offer exceptional drainage.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Insignificant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Buxus microphylla, commonly called littleleaf boxwood, is a slow-growing, densely-branched, broadleaf evergreen shrub. ‘Green Pillow’ is a specific low-mounded, dwarf cultivar that grows from a single trunk to form a dense, cushion-like, green dome with tiny green leaves generally growing to 9/16” long. Introduced commercially in 1962, this Boxwood retains good green color, though the leaves may bronze slightly during severe winters.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
Potential Problems
Boxwood foliage performance is heavily influenced by winter conditions. When exposed to strong winter winds and direct, full-day winter sun, the leaves can rapidly lose moisture, leading to an unattractive brownish-yellow appearance known as bronzing. Siting the plant in areas sheltered from harsh winter exposure mitigates this common cosmetic issue.
Be diligent about soil drainage, as root rot is a primary killer in poorly drained locations. Furthermore, monitor for specific pests; Boxwood mites and the boxwood leafminer are common concerns, though the boxwood psyllid is usually not an issue for this variety. Promptly thin out old interior growth annually to improve airflow, discouraging fungal issues like leaf spot or blight susceptibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Boxwood suitable for?
Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 6 through 9. Confirm your local conditions before planting this evergreen outside this range.
How large does Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’ grow?
This dwarf cultivar maintains a compact form, typically maturing to a height and spread between 2 and 3 feet tall. It exhibits very slow growth, reaching only about 10-12 inches tall in its first decade.
What sun exposure does Boxwood need?
This Boxwood performs best in locations receiving full sun to part shade. Optimal conditions often involve morning sun or light, dappled shade, avoiding intense afternoon heat, especially in hotter zones.
When does Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’ bloom?
The shrub produces inconspicuous, greenish-cream flowers during the spring, typically blooming between April and May among the dense summer foliage.
Conclusion
Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’ remains a garden stalwart due to its dense habit, reliable evergreen presence, and manageable dwarf size. Offering superior texture for low borders and foundation plantings, this Boxwood delivers formal structure with relatively low annual pruning requirements. Before planting, ensure your site offers well-drained soil and some protection from severe winter exposure to keep your Boxwood looking its best.
Companion Planting
Selecting companions for Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’ involves pairing plants with similar soil and light requirements. Consider plants that offer seasonal contrast in color or texture. Low-growing perennials like Hellebores (Lenten Rose) provide early spring interest when this Boxwood is waking up. For summer contrast, plants like variegated Hakonechloa (Japanese Forest Grass) can soften the formal lines of the Boxwood, provided their watering needs are met.
Look for companions that thrive in dappled sunlight and medium moisture, such as Astilbe or certain groundcover hostas near the perimeter of the root zone (but not directly against the mulch). Avoid aggressive spreaders that might compete directly with the Boxwood’s shallow root system.
Propagation Tips
Successful propagation of Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’ is typically achieved through semi-hardwood stem cuttings. This method capitalizes on the inherent cloning nature of cultivars, ensuring the resulting plants retain the desirable low-mounded shape. Cuttings should be taken, ideally in mid-summer to early fall, ensuring they have at least two nodes below the soil line.
Prepare the cuttings by removing the lower leaves and making a clean cut just below a leaf node. Planting them in a well-draining, sterile propagation mix, such as peat and perlite, will maximize success. High humidity and bottom heat, often achieved under plastic or in a mist bench environment, provide the necessary environment for root development before winter sets in.
