Boxwood shrubs (Buxus) are a popular and versatile choice for structured landscaping, prized for their dense, evergreen foliage and ability to hold a shape. They are frequently used for formal hedges, parterres, and foundation plantings, offering a timeless aesthetic that remains vibrant throughout the year. The initial cost to acquire these plants is highly variable, depending on the plant’s physical attributes, its specific genetics, and the retail environment where it is purchased. Understanding these pricing factors is the first step in budgeting for a boxwood project, whether it involves a few accent plants or an extensive hedge line.
Pricing Based on Plant Size and Shape
The most direct predictor of a boxwood’s price is its size and the time spent growing in the nursery. Smaller, younger boxwoods sold in plastic containers represent the lowest initial cost. Plants in a one-gallon pot typically range from $10 to $20 for common varieties, while a three-gallon container moves the price into the $30 to $50 range. For immediate impact, five-gallon and seven-gallon shrubs are popular, often priced between $50 and $150, corresponding to small shrubs roughly one to two feet tall.
The cost increases substantially for larger, more established specimens that provide instant landscape structure. A medium-sized boxwood, typically three to four feet tall, can cost between $150 and $300 per plant. A large, mature shrub over five feet may command a price of $300 to $600 or more. These higher prices account for years of nursery care, specialized pruning, and the labor required for harvesting and transport.
Boxwoods trained into specialized, highly ornamental shapes significantly increase in value due to the required horticultural skill and time. Examples of topiary that elevate the price include geometric globes, intricate spirals, or cones. The custom shaping labor alone can range from $30 to $320 per plant, layered on top of the base price of the mature specimen. A large, seven-gallon spiral topiary, for instance, represents a substantial investment because it has been meticulously pruned and trained over many seasons.
How Cultivar and Market Affect Boxwood Pricing
The genetic background, or cultivar, is a major factor influencing the price, independent of the plant’s physical size. Common and widely available varieties, such as the Japanese Boxwood (Buxus microphylla japonica), are often at the lower end of the price spectrum due to their ease of propagation. In contrast, patented or newly released varieties, especially those bred for specific traits like enhanced cold-hardiness or disease resistance, carry a premium price tag.
The NewGen series, such as ‘NewGen Freedom,’ is a prime example, developed specifically to resist Boxwood Blight, a devastating fungal disease. These specialized, tested cultivars are priced higher than common varieties even in small sizes; multi-plant packs of small NewGen plants can cost over $60. This higher cost reflects the investment in research and development and the value of a plant requiring less long-term maintenance.
The method used to grow and harvest the boxwood also creates a clear price distinction. Container-grown plants are generally less expensive upfront because they are lighter, easier to transport, and can be planted year-round. For large-scale projects or when immediate visual maturity is required, growers sell field-grown or balled-and-burlapped (B&B) boxwoods. B&B specimens are dug with a large, intact root ball wrapped in burlap. They are considerably more expensive due to their massive weight, the labor-intensive harvesting process, and the years spent maturing in the field.
Retailer Markup and Installation Expenses
The final price paid is heavily influenced by the retail channel. Big box stores offer the lowest sticker price on smaller, common varieties, trading limited selection and minimal guidance for high-volume sales. Independent garden centers, on the other hand, typically feature a mid-range price structure but provide a wider selection of specialized cultivars and expert advice on local growing conditions and plant health.
Wholesale nurseries may offer the lowest per-unit price, especially for bulk purchases, but they usually require a business license and rarely provide retail-level support. Regardless of the source, delivery fees can add between $50 and $200 to the total cost, depending on the volume of plants and the distance traveled.
Installation expenses represent a distinct and significant layer of the total project cost, often exceeding the price of the plants themselves. Professional landscape installation includes the cost of labor, which runs from $50 to $80 per hour, plus necessary materials like soil amendments. A small project might cost between $250 and $600 for planting. However, a full-scale hedge installation can range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on complexity. Labor costs are higher for larger B&B specimens because specialized equipment is often required to move the heavy root ball.
Understanding Long-Term Maintenance Costs
The total financial investment in boxwoods extends beyond the initial purchase and installation, encompassing several recurring maintenance expenses. Plants trained into formal shapes, such as hedges or topiaries, require regular, skilled pruning to maintain their form, representing a specialized labor cost. Boxwoods are also susceptible to various pests and diseases, most notably the destructive fungal pathogen Boxwood Blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata).
In areas where Boxwood Blight is established, homeowners must budget for potentially costly preventative treatments. An annual four-course fungicide spraying program to protect vulnerable boxwoods can cost approximately $650 for a collection of plants. Choosing a less suitable or cheaper cultivar initially can lead to higher annual expenses for chemical treatments later on. If a plant succumbs to disease, the replacement cost includes not only the price of a new shrub but also the potential expense of removing and sterilizing the surrounding soil, as fungal spores can survive for years.