They have a resinous scent that many might find displeasing or unpleasant. Quite a few people have claimed that it makes their Wintergreen Boxwood Shrub possess the smell of cat urine. Here’s everything you need to know about growing and caring for a thriving Wintergreen Boxwood Shrub:
Are there any boxwoods that don't smell?
While only certain varieties are known to smell like cat or dog urine, all boxwoods have been put into this category, and unfairly I might add! The Green Velvet variety does not stink and has many popular and positive attributes for your landscape or your garden.
What is the most fragrant boxwood?
Buxus sempervirens suffruticosaBuxus sempervirens suffruticosa... (fragrant english boxwood) The most fragrant of boxwoods, it is easy to maintain with minimal pruning to allow light and air to reach the center of the bush.
What is the difference between boxwood and wintergreen boxwood?
Wintergreen boxwood is more cold hardy than the Japanese cultivar, and can be grown in Zones 4-9. Wintergreen is better at keeping its dark green color all winter, too. The flowers of wintergreen boxwood are yellowish green, but, like the Korean variety, inconspicuous and of little interest.
Does the winter Gem boxwood have an odor?
Though the flowers of the winter gem boxwood have a pleasing scent, the same can not be said for the rest of the shrub. The leaves produce a pungent odor similar to the noxious fumes of a skunk.
Which evergreen has the strongest smell?
1. Balsam Fir. The Balsam fir is the most fragrant of the trees, making it the most popular Christmas tree variety. They're durable and have short, flat, dark green needles.
What is the strongest smelling plant?
5 Strongest Smelling FlowersLily of the Valley.Gardenia.Chocolate Cosmos.Four o'clock.Sweat Pea.Sweet Alyssum.Frangipani.Wisteria.More items...•
Does Wintergreen Boxwood stay green all year?
The Boxwood Wintergreen offers dark green lustrous evergreen leaves and creates a striking hedge with year round color. This is a boxwood that will hold its green color beautifully all winter long.
Does Wintergreen Boxwood stay green in winter?
As popular and lovely as they may be, most boxwood shrubs have a habit of having their shiny green foliage turn to a shade of bronze and even brown, during harsh winter months.
Which type of boxwood is best?
Are you looking for low hedges or balls? Then English Boxwood, or 'Franklin's Gem', 'Green Gem or 'Green Mound' will fit the bill, depending on where you live. Pick Japanese boxwood or American boxwood for warmer states, or the very popular 'Green Velvet' as a general-purpose hedging or specimen variety.
What is the difference between Wintergreen and Winter Gem Boxwood?
Even though both species are Korean boxwoods, the key differences between Wintergreen and Winter Gem are their leaf color, cold tolerance, height/spread and sun tolerance. Winter Gem is the darker green of the two, and it prefers sun or partial sun. Wintergreen has lighter leaves and does better in shade.
Do boxwoods smell like skunk?
English boxwood is quite the looker, but it shouldn't be used to flank your front door if you want to welcome guests without making them pinch their noses. It's known to smell a little—or a lot—like cat pee.
What is the difference between winter gem and green beauty boxwood?
Both have small rounded leaves, but Green Velvet has a more pale green leaf than the darker more shiny leafed Winter Gem, and the Green Velvet leaf has kind of a point on the tip. Green Velvet gets about 2' – 4' tall and wide whereas Winter Gem only gets about 2' – 3' tall and wide.
What is the most fragrant shrub?
Top 10 Fragrant Shrubs to Make Your Garden Smell AmazingBloomerang® Lilac (Syringa) ... Ruby Anniversary Abelia (Abelia chinensis) ... Vanilla Spice and Sugartina Crystalina Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) ... Little Henry Sweetspire (Itea virginica) ... 'Scentsation' Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)More items...
Which type of boxwood is best?
Are you looking for low hedges or balls? Then English Boxwood, or 'Franklin's Gem', 'Green Gem or 'Green Mound' will fit the bill, depending on where you live. Pick Japanese boxwood or American boxwood for warmer states, or the very popular 'Green Velvet' as a general-purpose hedging or specimen variety.
What is the difference between English and American boxwood?
Most American boxwood cultivars are cold tolerant, with leaves that are rather long ovals with more pointed tips. English boxwood, Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa', is a dwarf boxwood and is technically a form of American boxwood. It is a dense variety with more oval leaves.
Do sprinter boxwoods smell?
Sprinter® Japanese boxwood is an improved, fast-growing form of 'Winter Gem'. Glossy evergreen foliage is attractive year-round, and holds up well to winter weather. Upright habit is ideally suited for low hedging and landscaping. Hardier than English boxwood, and without the characteristic odor, too.
Why do people hate boxwoods?
The hate comes from the pruning and maintenance that needs to be performed to keep them looking presentable. The ‘Wintergreen’ Boxwood, botanically known as Buxus sinica var. insularis ‘Wintergreen’, solves that dilemma as this cultivar has a slower growth rate.
What is boxwood blight?
Common Pests/Diseases. Be sure to clean tools properly with bleach or alcohol before and after each pruning to avoid contracting and spreading the dreaded boxwood blight. The disease is a serious fungal condition that was introduced in the United States in 2011.
How tall is a wintergreen hedge?
Like any boxwood, ‘Wintergreen’ will get unruly and spread to a height of three to five feet naturally. Some homeowners find this appealing, but most gardeners desire formal trimmed boxwood hedges. Fortunately, it takes much longer due to 'Wintergreen's' slow growth.
Why mulch wintergreens?
Mulching is vital for moisture retention to guard the very shallow root system against drying out. The ‘Wintergreen’ is somewhat drought-tolerant but not for extended periods.
Is wintergreen boxwood a good plant for cold weather?
The small, evergreen foliage is lustrous and attractive and will hold its own against the cold temperatures without suffering too many ill effects. Wintergreen boxwood should be placed so that it will not be affected by direct windburn, though as some leaf bronzing will occur.
Is wintergreen boxwood toxic to dogs?
Wintergreen boxwood is toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and humans alike. Boxwood’s alkaline compounds cause acute toxicity known as boxwood poisoning. The compounds are so potent that they thwart even the hungriest of deer. Consequently, this shrub isn't going to be the best shrub for gardens with curious dogs or kids.
Can a sage plant survive in wet soil?
The shrub will do okay in any soil that is not consistently wet. It prefers medium moisture in a well-drained soil that is sandy or loamy and with a neutral pH.
How far does a Wintergreen Boxwood spread?
Spread 3 to 5 Feet. Full Sun. The Wintergreen Boxwood, Buxus sinica var. Insularis ‘Wintergreen’, is a cold tolerant, slow growing broadleaf evergreen can be planted individually or in containers as an accent. These are perfect for growing evergreen hedges and garden borders.
Why are my boxwoods turning yellow?
The leaves will turn yellow typically as an indicator that the shrub needs water. Fertilize in early spring before new growth appears. Use a common fertilizer that can be used with woody plants. Root rot may be a problem if the boxwood is placed in overly compacted soil or a soil with poor drainage.
What is the Plant Addicts warranty?
Examples would be hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, disease, insects & many other factors. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all the unknowns and will replace your plant if it moves on to the plant afterlife.
Why trim dead branches?
Though not often needed, thinning is sometimes done to improve air circulation or lessen the chances of plant disease. Thinning may be required if leaf spot is becoming a problem, but usually only an annual shearing is needed.
Is Wintergreen Boxwood good for bonsai?
Though low growing, this very dense shrub lends itself to topiary, and is also excellent as a bonsai plant. Its dark green foliage makes the Wintergreen boxwood a very attractive border and landscaping shrub.
Is Korean boxwood a shrub?
This shrub is also known as a Korean boxwood. Great For A Small Formal Garden - Although the Wintergreen boxwood can be grown as an individual specimen plant, it is often at its best in a formal garden, especially when planted in groupings.
Does Wintergreen Boxwood have pests?
Insects And Diseases - As is the case with most boxwood plants, the Wintergreen variety seldom has a problem with pests or diseases.
How tall does a Littleleaf Box grow?
It grows 3 to 4 feet tall, with an equal spread an has a compact, rounded habit.
What is the best plant for boxwoods?
If other boxwoods are still too smelly for you, try another evergreen plant with similar attributes including hardiness; small, densely borne leaves and tolerance of shearing. One likely candidate is Japanese holly (Ilex crenata), which grows in USDA zones 5 or 6 to 8, depending on the variety.
What zone does boxwood grow in?
Some species, especially English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 or 6 through 8, depending on variety, feature leaves that exude a strong scent, especially when the sun shines on them. Individual senses of smell differ, but many people think English boxwood smells similar ...
What is a good substitute for boxwood?
A slow-grower, like English box, it features shiny green leaves and grows between 5 and 10 feet tall, with a dense, rounded habit. Another related plant and good box substitute is inkberry holly, (Ilex glabra), which grows in USDA zones 4 or 5 through 9 or 10, depending on the variety.
What is boxwood hedge?
A neatly trimmed boxwood hedge. Image Credit: payee/iStock/Getty Images. Evergreen boxwood (Buxus spp.), with its dense leafy growth, is grown for its beauty and utility as a garden plant, especially for hedging. Some species, especially English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), which grows in U.S.
Is Littleleaf Boxwood more tolerant of temperature?
Within their hardiness ranges, littleleaf boxes are slightly more tolerant of temperatures on both the highest and lowest ends of their tolerance spectrum. Mulching to conserve soil moisture is a good idea. English boxwood thrives best in soil that is on the alkaline side of the pH spectrum, whereas littleleaf boxwood is less fussy. Advertisement.
Do Japanese boxwoods like full sun?
In many ways, the littleleaf, non-odorous boxwoods require the same care as the English types. Both like well-draining soil and part shade to full sun, with the littleleaf Japanese varieties doing best in full sun.
