Green Gem Boxwood
Buxus x 'Green Gem'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Green Gem Boxwood - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™

Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
Under $50 | $9.99 |
$50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
$100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
$150+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Green Gem Boxwood highlights at a glance!
-
Brand
-
Plant Class
-
Botanical Name
-
Characteristics
-
Growing Zones4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
-
Mature Height
-
Mature Spread
-
Sun ExposureFull Sun
-
Moisture
-
Soil
-
Growth RateMedium
-
Flower Color
-
Fall Color
-
Pruning Time
-
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring

Growing Zones
What makes Green Gem Boxwood special?
It naturally grows into a perfect little green ball without pruning and stays vibrant green all year, even through harsh winters.
What Growing Conditions Does It Need?
What Growing Conditions Does It Need?
Green Gem thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with partial to full sun (4-6 hours daily). It prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil and grows into a compact 2-3 feet tall and wide ball. This dwarf boxwood handles both summer heat and winter cold like a champ.
How Do I Plant and Care for Green Gem Boxwood?
Plant in spring or fall, spacing 2-3 feet apart for low hedges or 3-4 feet for individual specimens. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, plant at the same depth it was growing, and water thoroughly.
Water regularly the first year while roots establish, then only during dry spells. Apply slow-release fertilizer in early spring and add 2 inches of mulch around the base. Light shaping in late spring keeps it tidy, though it naturally maintains its round shape.
What Are the Key Benefits?
You'll get year-round structure without the work since Green Gem keeps its shape naturally. It's perfect for small spaces and containers where larger boxwoods won't fit. The dense evergreen foliage creates instant privacy for low borders and defines garden spaces beautifully.
This tough little shrub bounces back from deer browsing and handles urban conditions better than most evergreens.
What Should I Know Before Buying?
Green Gem works best in spots with morning sun and afternoon shade in hot climates. It's slower growing than other boxwoods, reaching full size in 5-7 years. While deer-resistant, it's not deer-proof in areas with high pressure.
Plant with other compact evergreens for year-round interest or use as a green backdrop for colorful perennials. Spring planting gives the best establishment before summer heat. Consider companion plants like hostas or astilbe for shady spots.