‘Green Velvet’ has a somewhat rounded habit that is slightly wider than tall. The foliage on this cultivar is a beautiful medium to light-green in spring and slowly transitions to a dark green.
• | Green |
• | Good Drainage |
• | Deer Resistant |
• | Medium |
• | Sun (Location is sunny from late morning to late afternoon) |
• | Shade (Location has no direct sun) |
• | Part Shade (Location is primarily shaded from late morning to late afternoon) |
• | Zone 5 (Average Annual Minimum Temperature -20 F to -10 F) |
• | Zone 6 (Average Annual Minimum Temperature -10 F to 0 F) |
• | Zone 7 (Average Annual Minimum Temperature 0 F to 10 F) |
• | Zone 8 (Average Annual Minimum Temperature 10 F to 20 F) |
• | Green (Foliage is Predominately Green) |
‘Green Velvet’ has a somewhat rounded habit that is slightly wider than tall. The foliage on this cultivar is a beautiful medium to light-green in spring and slowly transitions to a dark green. It is a cold-hardy hybrid boxwood that was developed in Canada. It is a selected seedling cross between Buxus sempervirens and Buxus sinica var. insularis and part of the “Green Series” of boxwood which include ‘Green Mountain’, ‘Green Mound’, ‘Green Gem’, and ‘Green Velvet’. It is very similar to the cultivar Chicagoland Green™. ‘Green Velvet’ will bronze slightly in winter especially when exposed to direct sunlight. Typically, in spring, as temperatures rise, bronzed foliage will brighten and new growth will quickly transform the plant to green. Deer resistant.
‘Green Velvet’ should be pruned lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain desired habit. It may be sheared into edging and other formal applications. Use hand pruners or shears. Thinning is not necessary but, as with any boxwood, it will help increase airflow and sunlight penetration into the interior of the plant which reduces the chance of disease.
‘Green Velvet’ is very susceptible to boxwood leafminer and shows variable results in tolerance and susceptibility to boxwood blight. It has few other pest or disease issues when planted and cared for properly.
‘Green Velvet’ has been very popular for the past 20-30 years, however we are seeing better alternatives today. We have seen and heard some reports of root issues possibly related to poor drainage, which may be explained by its sempervirens parentage. In many landscapes, it will reach its 15 year size at a moderate speed then very slow growth afterwards.
Uses: Small specimen, low hedge, foundation plant, edging, parterre or knot garden, containers.
Substitutes: Chicagoland Green™, ‘Buddy’, ‘Green Mound’, ‘Green Gem’, ‘Little Missy’