Japanese Boxwood

About this plant

Elevate your landscape with the refined elegance of Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Baby Gem', a premium Japanese Boxwood prized for its exceptionally dense, small, and lustrous green foliage. This miniature cultivar brings a sophisticated touch to any garden, maintaining a neat and tidy appearance with minimal effort. Perfect for creating low hedges that define garden spaces, accenting pathways, or adding evergreen structure to perennial beds, 'Baby Gem' offers year-round beauty. Its naturally compact and rounded form makes it an excellent choice for decorative containers, adding a touch of classic charm to patios and entryways. As a versatile and exceptionally hardy evergreen, 'Baby Gem' is a cornerstone plant for both traditional and contemporary garden designs. Its slow growth habit and resistance to common boxwood issues make it a truly 'Cut Above' selection for discerning gardeners.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Requires minimal pruning to maintain shape; best done in late winter or early spring. Fertilize with a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring. Protect from harsh winter winds in exposed locations.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.