What: If you are looking for something flashy in a hedge or just to lighten up a shady place, look no further than Buxus sempervirens ‘Aureovariegata,’ commonly called variegated boxwood. It has evergreen leaves with creamy yellow margins and a dark green center. Even though the leaves are small the variegation shows well, providing an elegant display for the garden. Often shaped into hedges and topiaries, it is also attractive in its natural form as a billowy oval mound.
Where: Boxwood will grow well in full sun to deep shade in well-drained soil. It will tolerate sandy and clay soils with regular summer watering and protection from hot afternoon sun.
Size: Grows to 5 feet tall by 4 feet wide in 10 years.
Care: Once established it is moderately drought tolerant, but appreciates occasional watering. Heavy shearing can be done in mid to late winter with lighter shaping in late spring to midsummer. Tightly sheared formal hedges need trimming once a month from May to August.
— greatplantpicks.org
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