How to Grow Evergreen Shrubs (Boxwood & Privet)
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Evergreen Shrubs (Boxwood & Privet)
Buxus spp. and Ligustrum spp.
shrubEvergreen shrubs like boxwood and privet are versatile landscape plants prized for their year-round foliage, dense branching structure, and ability to be shaped through pruning. Boxwood (Buxus) offers fine-textured foliage and formal elegance, while privet (Ligustrum) provides faster growth and slightly coarser texture. Both are essential for hedges, topiaries, screens, and foundational plantings.
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Example Evergreen Shrubs (Boxwood & Privet) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Evergreen Shrubs (Boxwood & Privet)
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Evergreen Shrubs (Boxwood & Privet)
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Boxwood thrives in zones 5-9; privet in zones 4-11 depending on variety
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Get my Evergreen Shrubs (Boxwood & Privet) timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
First 6-12 monthsYoung plants with initial leaf growth and root development; foliage appears lighter and less dense
Water deeply 2-3 times weekly; avoid heavy pruning; apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base keeping it away from stem
Active Growth
Year 2-3Vigorous shoot elongation and branch development; foliage becomes darker and denser
Light pruning to shape and encourage branching; maintain consistent moisture; fertilize lightly with balanced fertilizer in spring
Structural Development
Year 3-5Plant fills in and develops characteristic form; branching becomes more dense and twiggy
Prune 2-3 times annually during growing season (spring and early summer) for hedges; once or twice for specimens. Remove any winter-damaged growth
Mature Form
Year 5+ (indefinite with proper maintenance)Plant achieves desired shape and size with full, dense foliage; compact branching structure throughout
Maintain shape with light pruning in late spring and mid-summer; avoid heavy pruning on old wood; monitor for pests and disease
Renewal (if needed)
1-2 seasons to recoverOlder plants may develop bare patches or leggy growth; pruning stimulates new growth from dormant buds
Hard pruning in early spring can rejuvenate overgrown plants; cut back 1/3 of oldest stems; do not remove more than 1/3 of foliage at once
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with horticultural oil in early spring before adult emergence; prune out affected leaves; introduce parasitic wasps
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Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with insecticidal soap; use sulfur dust; release predatory mites
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Prune out infested stems; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap in spring; improve air circulation
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Spray horticultural oil during dormant season; use insecticidal soap during growing season; prune out heavily infested branches
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Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering; remove affected plants; treat remaining plants with fungicide if necessary
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Remove infected branches immediately; improve air circulation through pruning; apply fungicide in spring and fall
Uses
Formal Hedges & Screens
HouseholdBoxwood and privet are classic choices for creating formal hedges, privacy screens, and property boundaries. Their dense foliage and ability to withstand heavy pruning make them ideal for geometric shapes and clean lines in formal gardens. [source]
Topiaries & Ornamental Pruning
CraftThese shrubs are excellent for creating topiary sculptures and ornamental shapes. The fine branching structure of boxwood particularly allows for detailed forms like spheres, pyramids, cones, and animal shapes. [source]
Year-Round Garden Structure
HouseholdIn winter when deciduous plants lose their leaves, evergreen shrubs provide essential visual structure and architectural interest to the landscape. They anchor garden designs and provide color and form during dormant seasons. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Shelter
WildlifeDense evergreen shrubs provide shelter and nesting habitat for birds and small animals year-round. Privet's berries are food for migratory birds, while the dense branches offer protection from predators and weather. [source]
Floral Design & Cut Foliage
HouseholdBoxwood and privet branches are popular in floral arrangements, wreaths, and holiday decorations. Their long vase life and attractive form make them valuable to florists and gardeners for cut arrangements year-round. [source]
Harvest Tips
These are ornamental shrubs not harvested for consumption. For foliage cutting (floral arrangements or decoration), harvest in mid-to-late fall through winter. Cut stems just above a leaf node at 45-degree angles to promote branching.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Boxwood is one of the slowest-growing ornamental shrubs—typically adding only 3-6 inches per year—which is why it's so prized for formal gardens and why mature boxwood hedges can be hundreds of years old
- 🌱 Privet gets its name from its use as a 'private' hedge for property boundaries; in medieval times, privet hedges were used to create 'pleached' corridors in Renaissance gardens by training branches into overhead arches
- 🌱 Boxwood wood is extremely dense and hard—historically it was used to make combs, tool handles, and engraving blocks, and it remains the wood of choice for fine woodworking
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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