Better Boxwood® Heritage™ Shrub

The Better Boxwood® Heritage Shrub reaches a mature size of approximately 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Its naturally rounded, compact shape makes it ideal for low hedges, borders, foundation plantings, and formal garden designs. It holds its shape well, making it a great option for both casual and structured landscapes.

Better Boxwood® Heritage has a moderate growth rate, putting on 4 to 6 inches of new growth per year in ideal conditions. It grows steadily into a dense, rounded form with minimal pruning, making it a great choice for gardeners looking for low-maintenance structure in their landscape.

Plant this boxwood in a location that receives full sun to partial shade—ideally 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. It prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil and thrives in USDA Zones 5–9. Avoid areas with heavy clay or standing water. Heritage is highly resistant to boxwood blight, making it perfect for regions where disease-resistant boxwoods are essential.

For a dense, formal hedge, plant Heritage shrubs 15 to 18 inches apart, center to center. For a more open, natural look, space them 2 to 3 feet apart. This spacing allows for airflow and healthy growth while maintaining the shrub’s signature compact shape.

Follow these steps to plant your Heritage Boxwood:
1. Choose a sunny to partly shaded location with well-drained soil.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball.
3. Remove the plant from its container and gently loosen the roots if compacted.
4. Place in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
5. Backfill with native soil, water deeply, and mulch around the base (but not directly against the trunk).
6. Water regularly during the first growing season to help roots establish.

Heritage is low-maintenance and naturally tidy, but benefits from consistent care:
• Light: Full sun to partial shade (4–6 hours of sunlight daily)
• Water: Keep soil evenly moist during the first year; once established, it’s moderately drought-tolerant
• Soil: Prefers well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH
• Fertilizer: Feed once in early spring
• Pruning: Trim lightly once or twice a year to maintain desired shape
• Mulch: Apply 2–3 inches around the base (but keep mulch off the stems) to help retain moisture and suppress weeds

It’s also highly resistant to boxwood blight and leafminer, offering long-term performance with fewer concerns.

In general, Heritage boxwood is cold-hardy in USDA Zones 5–9, but in colder climates or exposed locations, light winter protection is helpful:
• Apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect roots from freeze-thaw cycles.
• In windy or snowy regions, use burlap screens or covers to prevent winter burn and snow damage.
• Avoid pruning or fertilizing late in the season, as it may encourage tender new growth that’s more susceptible to frost.

Heritage naturally grows into a rounded, dense shape, but light pruning can enhance form:
• Prune in late spring or early summer after the first flush of growth.
• Use sharp shears to remove straggly stems or maintain a desired shape.
• Avoid heavy shearing in fall to prevent stimulating tender new growth before winter.
• For formal hedges or topiary, light shaping 1–2 times per year is usually enough.

Always remove any dead or damaged branches when spotted.

Yes, but only once a year is usually sufficient:
• Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.
• Avoid over-fertilizing, especially in late summer or fall, which can cause excessive growth or winter damage.
• A layer of organic mulch also helps retain nutrients and moisture in the soil.

Yes—Heritage is considered deer resistant, making it a smart choice for landscapes where deer browsing is a concern. While no plant is completely deer-proof, boxwoods are typically low on the menu due to their dense foliage and strong scent.

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

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At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.