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How to Grow Franklin's Gem Boxwood

Franklin's Gem Boxwood

Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Franklin's Gem'

shrub

Franklin's Gem is a dwarf, compact boxwood cultivar prized for its extremely small, fine foliage and dense, tightly branched growth habit. This evergreen shrub maintains its vibrant green color year-round and is ideal for formal hedging, topiary, and ornamental landscaping in small spaces. It is notably cold-hardy for a Japanese boxwood variety and exhibits excellent disease resistance.

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Example Franklin's Gem Boxwood timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Franklin's Gem Boxwood

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Franklin's Gem Boxwood

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Franklin's Gem Boxwood dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Partial shade to full sun; 4-6 hours of sunlight daily; tolerates afternoon shade in hot climates
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Water: Moderate and consistent moisture; water deeply after planting; avoid waterlogging; in growing season, water when soil surface becomes dry to touch; more frequent watering needed in hot, dry periods
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Spacing: 12-18 inches apart for hedging; 18-24 inches for specimen plants inches
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Days to maturity: 2-3 years to reach established landscape size; 5-7 years to mature specimen form
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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury stem deeper than it was in nursery container

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
compost peat moss perlite for drainage improvement

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5b-9a, with best performance in zones 6-8

5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment

4-12 weeks

Newly planted shrub with developing root system; foliage remains compact and green with minimal new growth

Water consistently 2-3 times weekly; mulch around base 2-3 inches deep; protect from strong winds and extreme temperatures; avoid fertilizing first year

2

Active Growth

Spring and early summer, ongoing

Shrub begins putting out new shoots; compact branching structure becomes more evident; foliage increases in density

Reduce watering frequency as root system develops; apply balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring; light pruning to shape and encourage branching

3

Summer Development

June-August

Dense, tightly branched structure with fine, small leaves; vibrant green color maintained; minimal flowering (insignificant flowers)

Water during dry spells; mulch to retain soil moisture; avoid heavy pruning in mid-summer heat; light shaping as needed

4

Dormancy & Winter Hardening

September-February

Growth slows; foliage may take on slightly darker green or bronze tones in cold; plant consolidates resources

Reduce watering frequency; avoid fertilizing; prune in late fall or early winter if needed for shape; provide windbreak protection in exposed sites

5

Mature Specimen

Year 3 onwards

Full, dense, compact shrub with refined branching structure; reaches typical mature size of 2-3 feet tall and wide

Light annual pruning or shearing for formal shapes; monitor for pests and diseases; consistent watering regimen; fertilize in spring only if growth slows

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Japanese Holly Dwarf Alberta Spruce Liriope Ajuga Creeping Thyme Hostas Euonymus Leucothoe

Avoid planting near:

English Ivy (can harbor pests) Plants requiring frequent heavy watering (creates fungal issues) Shallow-rooted competitors (Maples, Birches)

Common Pests

  • Prune out affected leaves; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap in early spring (when adults emerge); use yellow sticky traps to monitor populations

  • Increase humidity by misting foliage; spray with strong water stream to dislodge; apply neem oil or miticide if severe; ensure adequate watering

  • Prune out affected growth; apply horticultural oil in early spring; insecticidal soap during growing season; avoid overfertilizing with nitrogen

  • Spray with miticide or neem oil in spring and fall; maintain consistent moisture to reduce stress; prune affected branch tips

  • Prune out heavily infested branches; apply horticultural oil in dormant season; use insecticidal soap during growing season for crawlers

Uses

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Formal Hedging & Topiary

Ornamental

Franklin's Gem's compact growth and fine foliage make it excellent for creating and maintaining formal hedges, parterre gardens, and intricate topiary designs. Its slow growth rate and dense branching allow for precise, long-lasting sculptural forms. [source]

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Foundation Plantings & Border Edging

Ornamental

The dwarf habit and year-round green color make this cultivar ideal for low foundation plantings, container gardens, and formal garden borders. It adds structure and definition to landscape beds without requiring excessive space. [source]

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Wildlife Habitat & Shelter

Wildlife

Dense evergreen foliage provides year-round shelter and nesting sites for birds and beneficial insects. The compact structure creates protected microclimates in the garden. [source]

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Container & Specimen Cultivation

Craft

Franklin's Gem thrives in containers on patios, decks, and entryways, where its fine texture and compact form create striking focal points. Containerized specimens can be easily moved to optimal light and protected from extreme weather. [source]

🌿

Small Space & Japanese Garden Design

Ornamental

The miniature foliage and refined branching structure align perfectly with Japanese aesthetic principles and small-space landscapes. It works beautifully in courtyard gardens, urban settings, and pocket gardens. [source]

Harvest Tips

Franklin's Gem is ornamental and not harvested for yield. Prune lightly in spring (March-April) for shaping and to encourage dense branching. Can be sheared into formal shapes (topiaries, hedges) multiple times per growing season. Remove dead or diseased wood anytime. Avoid heavy pruning in late summer/fall as it may stimulate tender new growth susceptible to winter damage.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Franklin's Gem is notably more cold-hardy than typical Japanese boxwoods (Buxus microphylla japonica), making it viable in zone 5b gardens where most Japanese boxwood varieties would struggle.
  • 🌱 The 'Franklin's Gem' cultivar was selected and named for its exceptionally small leaf size—among the tiniest of all boxwood varieties—which creates an unusually refined appearance at any distance.
  • 🌱 Boxwoods have been used in formal European gardens for over 500 years; Franklin's Gem represents modern breeding efforts to create boxwoods with superior disease resistance and cold hardiness.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade
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