Boxwood Beauty

Plant Type: shrub
Plant Height: 6-12 feet
Spread: 4-6 feet
Flower Color: white
Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Shade

Boxwood Beauty: A Hardy, Evergreen Succulent for Arizona Landscapes

Boxwood Beauty (Carpobrotus edulis 'Boxwood Beauty') is a versatile, low-growing succulent known for its dense, compact form, glossy green foliage, and beautiful white flowers. This easy-care plant is ideal for adding structure and texture to Arizona gardens, particularly those designed with water efficiency and low maintenance in mind.

Key Features of Boxwood Beauty

• Dense Foliage: Boxwood Beauty features small, dark green leaves with a slightly glossy finish, resembling traditional boxwood but with a spreading, low-growing habit.
• Lovely Flowers: In spring and summer, Boxwood Beauty produces star-shaped, fragrant white flowers that add seasonal interest and attract pollinators.
• Ground Cover and Erosion Control: Its dense, mat-forming growth makes it an excellent choice for ground cover and for stabilizing slopes, helping prevent soil erosion.

Growing and Care Tips

Boxwood Beauty thrives in the Arizona climate and is both drought-tolerant and low maintenance:

• Soil: Prefers well-draining soil and can adapt to sandy or coastal conditions, making it suitable for rock gardens and desert landscapes.
• Sunlight: Full sun is ideal for vibrant growth and blooms, though it can tolerate light shade in very hot conditions.
• Watering: Once established, this plant is highly drought-tolerant and needs minimal water, making it ideal for xeriscaping.

Landscaping Uses

Boxwood Beauty’s compact form and resilience make it an excellent choice for various landscape designs:

• Ground Cover: Its dense growth provides effective ground coverage in garden beds, borders, and on slopes.
• Containers and Rock Gardens: Adds texture and color as it spills over containers or creeps through rocks in dry gardens.
• Borders and Pathways: Creates a formal look with its boxwood-like foliage while being easier to maintain.

Summary

Boxwood Beauty is a hardy and beautiful addition to Arizona landscapes, particularly in low-maintenance and water-efficient settings. Its evergreen foliage, fragrant flowers, and drought tolerance make it a versatile choice for ground cover, borders, rock gardens, and container planting.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): Boxwood Beauty

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun to partial shade (at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth; can tolerate more shade, but full sun promotes better growth and denser foliage)
• Soil: Well-drained, loamy or sandy soil (slightly acidic to neutral soil preferred)
• Spacing: Space plants 2-3 feet apart for a dense hedge or 3-4 feet apart for individual growth
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: No staking required; Boxwood Beauty is a compact shrub that naturally maintains a dense, rounded form

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 2-3 days for the first 2-3 weeks to help establish the root system
• Watering Amount: Provide 1 inch of water per session to ensure deep watering around the roots, but ensure the water drains well to avoid waterlogging

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: Boxwood Beauty is considered established after 2-3 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil and the plant begins showing consistent new growth

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 1.5-2 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall. Boxwood Beauty is moderately drought-tolerant once established but benefits from occasional deep watering during dry winter periods.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 12-18 inches away from the base of the plant to ensure that water reaches the root zone and promotes deep root growth.
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 1-2 gallons per hour for slow, deep watering. This ensures that water penetrates deeply into the soil and supports a healthy root system.
• Number of Emitters: Place 1-2 emitters around the base of each plant to ensure even water distribution around the root zone. Adjust the number of emitters as the plant matures.
• Irrigation Zone: Set up a dedicated irrigation zone for Boxwood Beauty and other shrubs that require moderate watering. This will allow you to adjust the watering frequency and amount based on their specific needs.
• Adjusting Frequency: In the summer, increase watering frequency to every 5-7 days to ensure hydration, especially during high heat. In winter, reduce watering to every 3-4 weeks, or adjust based on rainfall.

General Watering Tips:

• Soil Check: Check the soil moisture regularly. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
• Avoid Overwatering: Boxwood Beauty prefers well-drained soil and does not like sitting in water. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure that the soil drains well and avoid standing water around the base.
• Mulch: Apply a thin layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Avoid placing mulch directly against the plant’s stem to prevent rot.