Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) are among the most popular evergreen shrubs for landscaping due to their dense foliage and versatility in forming hedges, borders, and topiary. The compact, year-round green texture makes this plant a highly desired feature in both formal and informal garden designs. The cost to incorporate boxwoods into a landscape varies widely, depending not just on the plant itself but also on how it is sourced and installed. Understanding the factors that determine the final price allows a consumer to budget effectively for their garden project.
Standard Pricing Based on Plant Size
The primary factor determining the price of a boxwood is its maturity, typically measured by the container size it is sold in. Smaller starter plants offer the most economical entry point for large projects but require more time to reach a desired size. Starter plants or plugs, often sold in 4-inch pots or quart containers, generally range from $10 to $25 per plant.
Standard retail containers are the 1-gallon and 3-gallon pots, representing a more established shrub. A 1-gallon boxwood, usually one to two years older than a plug, commonly costs between $17 and $55, depending on the variety and retailer. A 3-gallon container, offering a plant with a developed root system and immediate visual impact, typically falls into a price bracket of $35 to $75 per shrub.
For instant gratification, large specimen boxwoods are available, often in 5-gallon or 7-gallon containers, or as balled-and-burlapped (B&B) shrubs. These mature plants, standing several feet tall, can range from $100 to over $200 each. Very large boxwoods over five feet tall may command prices between $300 and $600 per plant, reflecting the many years of nursery care required to achieve that size.
Premium Costs: Influence of Variety and Form
Beyond standard size-based pricing, the genetics and training of a boxwood can significantly increase its value. Common, fast-growing cultivars like American Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) tend to be priced lower within each size category since they are quicker for nurseries to propagate and grow. In contrast, varieties developed for specific traits, such as the disease-resistant NewGen series or slow-growing dwarf types, often carry a price premium due to specialized breeding and slower production time.
The physical shape of the plant is a major driver of elevated cost, particularly when sculpted into a specialized form. Plants trained into topiary shapes, such as spirals, cones, or multi-ball poodle tiers, require years of meticulous pruning and maintenance. A pre-formed two-ball topiary, for instance, can cost $180 to $350 or more for a mid-sized specimen. Similarly, boxwoods pre-grown into dense hedging material, designed to be planted immediately as a solid barrier, are priced higher than the same variety sold as an individual, untrimmed shrub.
Hidden Costs of Purchase and Installation
The initial retail price is only one part of the total project expense, as several external costs contribute to the final outlay. The source of the plant influences the price; big-box retailers often offer lower prices on common varieties but may stock less robust plants. Conversely, independent local nurseries typically charge more but provide higher quality, better-cared-for plants and expert advice.
When buying large quantities, the cost of transportation becomes a factor, with delivery fees typically ranging from $50 to $200 per order, depending on distance and order size. For significant projects, purchasing in bulk may offer potential savings, as many nurseries provide discounts on large orders. Finally, the cost of professional installation can often rival or exceed the cost of the boxwoods themselves.
Hiring a landscaping crew to plant shrubs generally costs between $25 and $85 per shrub, varying based on the plant’s size and the complexity of the site. For large-scale hedge installations or mature B&B specimens, the total labor cost for site preparation and planting can amount to thousands of dollars. Soil amendments must also be considered when budgeting for a fully installed boxwood landscape.