Planting Boxwood from George Bridge

May 2, 2026

I'm always looking for ways to improve my gardens. Sometimes that means changing an entire space - removing plants and trees, selecting new specimens and designing how they will be placed. It doesn't have to be a daunting task. In fact, it can be one of the most rewarding.

I decided to make some big changes to the gardens near my front gate. I carefully removed what was there and transplanted them in other areas of the farm. In their place, I wanted to put in a group of medium and large sized boxwood that would add both color and texture to the beds. I called on my friend, George Bridge, owner of George Bridge Landscape Design, Inc. George first introduced me to boxwood more than 25-years ago. George is a leading grower and supplier of one of the largest collections of unique and mature plants, trees, and boxwood in the United States. Earlier this week, he and his crew delivered 10 American boxwood shrubs and planted every single one - they all look perfect.

Enjoy these photos.

: I love boxwood, Buxus sempervirens, and have hundreds of these bold green shrubs growing all over my farm.

: I also enjoy designing outdoor spaces and watching my gardens evolve and flourish. Adding rich foliage is good for the landscape – it improves air quality, absorb pollutants, and helps purify the air.

: Earlier this week, George personally delivered 10 handsome boxwood shrubs. I knew they would be perfect for the space. Boxwood has upright, naturally cone-shaped habits making them excellent for planting free-form or for a sculpted hedge or border.

: Buxus is a genus of about 70 species in the family Buxaceae. Common names include box or boxwood. The boxes are native to western and southern Europe, southwest, southern and eastern Asia, Africa, Madagascar, northernmost South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Boxwood shrubs are slow-growing with dark green glossy leaves arranged opposite from each other, making pairs. Leaf shape depends on the variety; some are round while others are elliptical.

: George specializes in collecting rare, vintage, and mature landscape plant material, including shrubs, hedges, fruit and ornamental trees, and even woody vines. His boxwood collection includes large, mature boxwood ranging from six to 12-feet tall and up to 95 years old. Visit his web site for more information.

: George and his team meticulously wrap and lace the root balls for transit, so they arrive in the best condition possible.

: The first step was to clear the space of several trees – Cotinus and Stewartia trees, along with various spring blooming bulbs and a collection o hosta plants.

: Here is a cart filling fast with hostas. Some will be replanted in different areas of their current garden and others will move down to the hosta garden near the chicken coops.

: Here is a Stewartia tree getting dug out for transit.

: Cotinus trees are also moved – nothing is thrown away unless it is dead or diseased.

: And then digging starts for the new boxwood shrubs.

: Holes are dug twice as wide as the boxwood root balls, but no deeper. Once in the hole, the top of the root ball should be a half-inch higher than the soil surface.

: And then one by one, each boxwood shrub is brought to its designated hole. And look who is driving the Hi-Lo – it’s George Bridge himself.

: The boxwood is slowly and carefully put into place.

: Its best side is turned out, since that is what guests will see when passing the garden.

: Here it is a shrub just above the hole.

: Here is a large shrub being moved to its new location. This specimen was originally planted in 1936 – it’s 90 years old.

: I think George is having a good time driving the Hi-LO. This day was actually very pleasant for working outside.

: It looks so great in its place already. Boxwood shrubs have shallow root systems, so proper mulching after they are planted will help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.

: Backfilling begins.

: George oversees every move to ensure the shrubs are placed just right.

: Smaller boxwood shrubs grown right here at my farm from cuttings are used to accent the larger specimens and fill the bed. Boxwood prefers well-drained soil with a lot of organic matter. Loamy soil or sandy conditions are best. Most boxwoods like some shade, but some varieties handle full sun exposure better than others.