Buxus sempervirens 'North Star'

'North Star' English Boxwood

Buxus sempervirens ‘North Star’ — commonly known as North Star Boxwood — is a dense, upright evergreen shrub selected for its excellent cold hardiness and dependable winter color. It offers a classic boxwood look with improved reliability in colder climates, making it a strong choice for formal structure and hedging.

Key features
Width / spread: 3–4 ft
Height: 6–8 ft (slow-growing; size increases steadily with age)
Foliage: Dark green, evergreen; holds color well through winter
Form: Upright, dense, narrowly pyramidal to oval
Life cycle: Evergreen shrub

Growing conditions
Sun: Full sun to part shade (afternoon shade beneficial in hotter climates)
Soil: Well-drained; adaptable, prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils
Water: Moderate; consistent moisture preferred
Hardiness:



Zone Low: 5a



Zone High: 8b



Landscape use
Formal hedges and screens
Foundation plantings
Evergreen structure in mixed borders
Institutional and residential landscapes
Background shrub for formal gardens

Notes


Selected for strong cold tolerance and stable winter color



Responds well to shearing and shaping



Slower growth rate allows precise size control



Deer resistant



Mulch to protect shallow roots and reduce winter stress

Plant type

Broadleaf Evergreen

Height

6-8'

Width

3-4'

Hardiness zones

5–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Very Slow

Bloom time

Late Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Soil

Loamy well-drained, Sandy well-drained

Landscape use

Foundation

Shape

Compact, Oval/Rounded

Bark

Smooth

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No