• • Colorful Companions: Annuals That Thrive Alongside Boxwoods
  • Flowering Shrubs for Year-Round Interest
  • Textural Delights: Ornamental Grasses and Foliage Plants
  • Low-Maintenance Groundcovers for Easy Elegance
  • Shade-Tolerant Beauties for Partial Sun Conditions
  • Creating a Formal Look with Evergreen Accents
  • Q&A

Frame Your Boxwoods with Beauty.

Boxwoods, with their classic evergreen elegance, provide a perfect backdrop for a variety of plantings. Choosing the right companions, however, depends on factors like sunlight exposure, desired color palette, and overall garden style. Whether seeking vibrant blooms, textural foliage, or year-round interest, this guide explores inspiring plant combinations to create a stunning display in front of your boxwoods.

Colorful Companions: Annuals That Thrive Alongside Boxwoods

Boxwoods, with their evergreen elegance and formal structure, often serve as the backbone of a well-defined garden. Their year-round greenery provides a constant canvas, inviting the strategic placement of vibrant companions to create a truly captivating display. Among the many options available, annuals present a particularly appealing choice, offering a kaleidoscope of colors and textures that can be refreshed each season.

When selecting annuals to complement boxwoods, it is essential to consider the specific growing conditions. Boxwoods generally thrive in well-drained soil with partial shade, and the annuals chosen should share these preferences. Impatiens, with their delicate blooms in shades ranging from pristine white to fiery orange, are an excellent choice for shadier locations. Their ability to tolerate low light conditions and their preference for moist soil make them ideal companions for boxwoods planted in areas with dappled sunlight.

For sunnier spots, consider the cheerful disposition of petunias. These prolific bloomers, available in a dizzying array of colors and patterns, will cascade over the edges of containers or spill gracefully around the base of boxwoods, creating a vibrant contrast against the deep green foliage. Equally well-suited to sunny locations are zinnias, known for their bold, daisy-like flowers. Their sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms make them a striking addition to any garden, and their preference for well-drained soil aligns perfectly with the needs of boxwoods.

To introduce a touch of whimsy and verticality, consider incorporating snapdragons. These charming flowers, with their dragon-shaped blooms that “snap” open, are available in a wide range of heights, allowing for dynamic arrangements. Their preference for cooler temperatures makes them an ideal choice for spring and fall plantings, extending the season of interest around boxwoods.

For a touch of elegance and fragrance, sweet alyssum is an excellent choice. This low-growing annual forms a carpet of delicate white or purple flowers, releasing a sweet honey scent that attracts pollinators. Its preference for full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil makes it a versatile companion for boxwoods in various settings.

In conclusion, the selection of annuals to plant in front of boxwoods offers a wealth of possibilities for creating stunning and dynamic displays. By carefully considering the specific growing conditions and selecting plants with complementary colors, textures, and growth habits, gardeners can transform their landscapes into captivating showcases of horticultural artistry.

Flowering Shrubs for Year-Round Interest

Boxwoods, with their evergreen foliage and formal structure, provide a classic backdrop for a variety of planting schemes. When selecting companion plants, particularly flowering shrubs, one should aim for year-round interest. Spring unveils a tapestry of possibilities. The delicate blooms of *Fothergilla gardenia*, for instance, offer a charming counterpoint to the boxwood’s deep green. Their fragrant, bottlebrush-like flowers, reminiscent of honey-suckle, create a delightful sensory experience. Similarly, the vibrant hues of azaleas, ranging from soft pastels to fiery oranges and reds, inject a burst of color into the landscape. For a more subdued elegance, consider the understated beauty of *Viburnum carlesii*. Its clusters of pink buds open to reveal fragrant, white flowers, their sweet scent permeating the air on warm spring days.

As spring surrenders to summer, the focus shifts to maintaining visual interest. Hydrangeas, with their bountiful blooms, are an excellent choice. The ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea, in particular, produces enormous white flower heads that gradually mature to a pale green, providing weeks of visual appeal. For a touch of the exotic, the Chinese snowball viburnum (*Viburnum macrocephalum*) offers large, spherical blooms that resemble snowballs, their pristine white contrasting beautifully with the boxwood’s dark foliage. These summer-blooming shrubs ensure a seamless transition from the vibrancy of spring to the more subdued tones of late summer.

Autumn ushers in a new wave of color, and certain flowering shrubs excel in extending the season’s splendor. The oakleaf hydrangea (*Hydrangea quercifolia*) is particularly noteworthy. Its large, cone-shaped flower panicles, initially white, mature to a rich pink, offering a stunning display against the backdrop of the boxwood’s evergreen foliage. Furthermore, as temperatures cool, its leaves transform into vibrant shades of red, orange, and purple, creating a breathtaking autumnal spectacle. Another excellent choice is the Virginia sweetspire (*Itea virginica*). While its spring flowers are somewhat inconspicuous, its autumn foliage more than compensates, erupting in a fiery display of crimson and burgundy.

Even in the depths of winter, when the garden lies dormant, strategic plantings can provide visual interest. The red twig dogwood (*Cornus sericea*) is an excellent example. While its spring flowers are relatively insignificant, its bare branches, a vibrant red against the winter snow, provide a much-needed splash of color. Similarly, the winterberry holly (*Ilex verticillata*), with its profusion of bright red berries, offers a cheerful contrast to the muted tones of the winter landscape. These berries, persisting long after the leaves have fallen, provide a vital food source for birds and add a touch of life to the otherwise dormant garden.

Textural Delights: Ornamental Grasses and Foliage Plants

Boxwoods, with their evergreen elegance and formal structure, often serve as the backbone of a well-designed garden. However, their understated charm can sometimes benefit from a touch of contrasting texture and visual interest in the foreground. Ornamental grasses and foliage plants present an ideal solution, offering a diverse palette of textures, colors, and forms to complement the classic appeal of boxwoods.

One might consider the airy grace of feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’). Its upright, feathery plumes introduce a sense of verticality and movement, creating a dynamic interplay with the solid, rounded form of boxwoods. For a bolder statement, the dramatic foliage of New Zealand flax (Phormium) provides architectural interest. Its sword-like leaves, available in a range of colors from deep burgundy to vibrant green, inject a touch of the exotic into the planting scheme.

Alternatively, the fine texture of Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) offers a more delicate contrast. Its cascading mounds of golden foliage create a luminous carpet at the base of boxwoods, illuminating the planting bed with a warm glow. For a touch of whimsy, consider incorporating the playful texture of purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’). Its arching, burgundy-tinged foliage adds a touch of drama and movement, while its fluffy flower spikes provide a soft, tactile element.

When selecting companion plants, it is essential to consider the specific growing conditions of the site. Most ornamental grasses and foliage plants thrive in well-drained soil and prefer full sun to partial shade. Furthermore, it is crucial to select plants with compatible growth habits. For instance, avoid pairing aggressive spreaders with slow-growing boxwoods, as this can lead to an unbalanced and potentially invasive planting scheme.

Ultimately, the choice of what to plant in front of boxwoods is a matter of personal preference and overall garden design. By carefully considering the interplay of texture, color, and form, one can create a dynamic and visually captivating landscape that celebrates the unique beauty of both boxwoods and their companion plants.

Low-Maintenance Groundcovers for Easy Elegance

Boxwoods, with their evergreen elegance and formal structure, often serve as the backbone of a well-designed garden. Their versatility shines in formal hedges, geometric topiaries, or as standalone specimens. However, the area beneath these verdant beauties can sometimes pose a landscaping challenge. Bare earth lacks visual appeal and can become a haven for weeds, detracting from the boxwoods’ inherent charm. Fortunately, a solution lies in the selection of low-maintenance groundcovers, plants that not only enhance the beauty of boxwoods but also offer practicality and ease of care.

When choosing groundcovers to accompany boxwoods, it is essential to consider the growing conditions. Boxwoods thrive in well-drained soil and prefer partial shade, although they can tolerate full sun in cooler climates. Therefore, selecting groundcovers with similar light and moisture requirements is crucial for a thriving planting partnership. One such option is the enduring Vinca minor, commonly known as periwinkle. This trailing evergreen boasts glossy, dark green foliage that complements the deep hues of boxwoods. In spring, periwinkle delights with delicate purple-blue flowers, adding a touch of whimsy to the landscape. Moreover, its dense growth habit effectively suppresses weeds, minimizing maintenance efforts.

For a touch of textural contrast, consider Ajuga reptans, or carpet bugle. This low-growing perennial forms a dense mat of crinkled, bronze-tinged foliage that beautifully offsets the smooth texture of boxwood leaves. In spring, spikes of vibrant blue, pink, or white flowers emerge, creating a captivating display. Ajuga reptans thrives in partial shade and tolerates a range of soil conditions, making it a versatile choice for front-of-border plantings.

If a touch of silver is desired, Lamium maculatum, or spotted deadnettle, presents an excellent option. This shade-loving groundcover features silver-marked foliage that brightens shady areas and creates a striking contrast against the dark green backdrop of boxwoods. In spring, delicate pink or white flowers appear, adding a touch of ephemeral beauty. Lamium maculatum prefers moist, well-drained soil and, like its groundcover counterparts, effectively suppresses weed growth.

In conclusion, the area in front of boxwoods presents an opportunity to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the garden while minimizing maintenance requirements. By selecting low-growing, shade-tolerant groundcovers that share similar growing conditions, such as Vinca minor, Ajuga reptans, or Lamium maculatum, one can create a harmonious and visually appealing landscape. These groundcovers not only complement the elegance of boxwoods but also provide practical benefits, including weed suppression and soil conservation. With careful planning and plant selection, the area beneath boxwoods can transform into a tapestry of textures and colors, adding depth and interest to the garden throughout the year.

Shade-Tolerant Beauties for Partial Sun Conditions

Boxwoods, with their evergreen elegance and formal structure, often grace shaded gardens and landscapes. While they provide year-round visual interest, the areas in front of them can sometimes feel bare or lack vibrancy. Fortunately, a plethora of shade-tolerant beauties thrive in the dappled sunlight filtering through boxwood foliage, offering a spectrum of colors and textures to complement their verdant backdrop.

One excellent choice for planting in front of boxwoods is the versatile and charming hosta. These perennials, celebrated for their captivating foliage, offer a wide array of sizes, shapes, and colors. From the chartreuse hues of ‘Sum and Substance’ to the blue-green tones of ‘Halcyon,’ hostas provide a textural counterpoint to the fine texture of boxwoods. Moreover, their preference for partial shade aligns perfectly with the conditions often found at the base of these evergreen shrubs.

For a touch of delicate beauty, consider incorporating ferns into the planting scheme. These ancient plants, with their intricate fronds, evoke a sense of tranquility and lend a woodland charm to any garden setting. Japanese painted ferns, known for their silvery-green fronds adorned with burgundy accents, or the lacy fronds of autumn ferns, which transition from green to copper as the seasons change, offer striking visual contrasts against the deep green of boxwoods.

To introduce vibrant pops of color, coral bells (Heuchera) present an ideal solution. These shade-tolerant perennials boast an impressive range of foliage colors, from deep purples and bronzes to chartreuse and lime green. Their delicate, bell-shaped flowers, which bloom in late spring and early summer, attract pollinators and add an ethereal touch. When planted in front of boxwoods, coral bells create a dynamic interplay of color and texture, enlivening the space with their vibrant hues.

For a touch of elegance and fragrance, consider incorporating lily-of-the-valley. These delicate, woodland flowers thrive in partial shade and produce sweetly scented, bell-shaped blooms in spring. Their low-growing habit makes them an excellent choice for planting at the base of boxwoods, where they can spread gently and form a charming groundcover.

In conclusion, the areas in front of boxwoods, often bathed in dappled shade, offer an ideal canvas for a variety of shade-tolerant plants. By carefully selecting companions that complement the texture and color of boxwoods, gardeners can create visually captivating and harmonious landscapes that celebrate the beauty of both evergreen structure and the ephemeral charm of shade-loving plants.

Creating a Formal Look with Evergreen Accents

Boxwoods, with their dense, evergreen foliage and naturally formal appearance, provide an excellent foundation for elegant garden designs. Their versatility shines when paired with complementary plantings that enhance their structured beauty. To maintain a cohesive and refined aesthetic, consider incorporating evergreen accents in front of your boxwood hedges or topiaries. These enduring plants offer year-round structure and visual interest, further elevating the formal character of your garden.

One classic choice for planting in front of boxwoods is the addition of low-growing, spreading evergreens. These ground-hugging plants serve to soften the lines of the boxwoods while simultaneously creating a sense of depth and dimension. Varieties such as creeping juniper, with its cascading foliage in shades of green or blue, or dwarf yews, prized for their fine texture and adaptability to pruning, provide an elegant transition between the upright boxwoods and the surrounding landscape. These evergreens thrive in well-drained soil and prefer partial to full sun, making them suitable companions for boxwoods in a variety of settings.

For a touch of contrasting texture and color, consider incorporating ornamental grasses in front of your boxwoods. While not technically evergreens in most climates, many ornamental grasses retain their architectural form and muted hues throughout the winter months, offering a pleasing counterpoint to the dense foliage of the boxwoods. Feather reed grass, with its airy plumes that sway gracefully in the breeze, or blue oat grass, known for its silvery-blue blades and compact habit, introduce movement and visual lightness to the composition. When selecting ornamental grasses, opt for varieties that share similar light and moisture requirements as boxwoods to ensure their harmonious coexistence.

To introduce vertical accents and a touch of formality, consider flanking your boxwoods with upright evergreen shrubs. Columnar conifers, such as Irish yew or Skyrocket juniper, provide striking vertical elements that draw the eye upward and create a sense of grandeur. Their narrow profiles make them ideal for smaller spaces or for creating defined pathways alongside boxwood hedges. Alternatively, the classic elegance of holly, with its glossy, evergreen leaves and vibrant red berries in winter, adds a touch of traditional charm to formal gardens. When positioning taller evergreens near boxwoods, ensure adequate spacing to prevent overcrowding and allow each plant to reach its full potential.

By carefully selecting evergreen accents that complement the form and texture of boxwoods, you can create a truly captivating and harmonious garden design. The enduring beauty of these plants ensures year-round interest, while their shared preference for well-drained soil and adaptability to various light conditions simplifies maintenance. With a thoughtful approach to plant selection and placement, your boxwood plantings will serve as the backbone of a truly elegant and timeless outdoor space.

Q&A

1. **Q: What are some colorful perennials that complement boxwoods?**
A: Salvia, Catmint, Yarrow, Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan.

2. **Q: Can I plant hydrangeas in front of boxwoods?**
A: Yes, but choose dwarf varieties to avoid overwhelming the boxwoods.

3. **Q: What are good low-maintenance options for planting in front of boxwoods?**
A: Hostas, Liriope, Pachysandra, Creeping Phlox.

4. **Q: I want to add height. What can I plant in front of tall boxwoods?**
A: Ornamental grasses, Russian Sage, Joe Pye Weed, Culver’s Root.

5. **Q: What are some deer-resistant choices for planting in front of boxwoods?**
A: Lavender, Daffodils, Allium, Barberry, Russian Sage.

6. **Q: Can I plant annuals in front of boxwoods?**
A: Yes, annuals like Petunias, Impatiens, and Begonias provide vibrant seasonal color.Low-growing, shade-tolerant, and preferably deer-resistant plants are ideal for planting in front of boxwoods to complement their formal appearance and thrive in their specific conditions.