Babylon Beauty - Better Boxwood

Introducing the Better Boxwood Babylon Beauty - the model of garden refinement and resilience. With over two decades of breeding and trials we are prepared to present to you the blight resistant, blight fighter line up! This particular cultivar has lighter green foliage than its hybrid relatives, but the foliage retains its evergreen vibrancy throughout the year!

When fully grown, the Babylon Beauty stands at 3-4' tall and spans 3-5' wide, providing you with many applications. Envision a flawless low-lying hedge or a detailed topiary, maintaining its lushness from winter's cold embrace to the height of summer, all with little upkeep... This is precisely what it offers.

Gardening enthusiasts will appreciate the Babylon Beauty's adaptability. This is a good choice if you need an area covered as they are much more prone to spreading than other varieties. It’s especially useful for low-growing hedges, layering, and patio containers if they are well fed and watered. Its compact growth habit ensures a dense, lush appearance, making it perfect for both formal and casual garden settings as well.

Environmentally conscious gardeners can take solace in the fact that this cultivar is sustainably bred to resist the dreaded boxwood blight and other common pests. This means less reliance on chemical treatments, leading to a healthier garden ecosystem. Invest in the future of your garden with the Better Boxwood Babylon Beauty Boxwood – a symphony of beauty, resilience, and sustainability.

Better Boxwood - The Blight Fighter

This new cultivar of Boxwoods has been bred to be more resistant to boxwood blight which a devastating disease that affects traditional boxwoods. Boxwood blight is caused by the fungus Calonectria pseudonaviculata and can lead to rapid defoliation and death of the plants.

Although bred to be blight-resistant, it's always a good idea to follow best practices for boxwood care to ensure the healthiest plants. This includes proper spacing for airflow, not watering the foliage directly, and regularly inspecting for any signs of disease or pests.

Better Boxwood Babylon Beauty Care

Better Boxwood Sunlight Requirements

The Babylon Beauty, like many boxwood varieties, prefers a location with full sun to partial shade. Ideally, it should receive between 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. In areas with intense summer heat, it is beneficial to provide some afternoon shade to protect it from scorching. This balance of sun and shade will help maintain the lush green color of its foliage and promote healthy growth.

When To Prune Better Boxwood Shrubs

The best time for major pruning or shaping is in late winter or early spring, just before the new growth begins. This allows you to remove any winter-damaged branches and shape the shrub for the upcoming season.

For light shaping or minor touch-ups, you can gently prune during the growth phase. However, refrain from extensive pruning in the late summer or autumn, as it can stimulate fresh growth that may not become resilient before the winter chill sets in.

Are Better Boxwoods Cold Hardy?

YES! The Babylon Beauty thrives across a diverse range of USDA hardiness zones, showcasing its adaptability and resilience to varying climate conditions. Particularly favored in zones 5 through 9, this cultivar is adept at handling temperature fluctuations experienced within these regions. USDA Hardiness Zone 5 has a temperate climate with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from -20°F to -10°F.

How Often Do Boxwoods Need to Be Watered?

For optimal growth and health, the Babylon Beauty prefers well-draining soil, ensuring its roots are not left waterlogged and susceptible to rot. When it comes to watering, a consistent yet moderate routine is best, ensuring the soil remains moist but not overly saturated. The ideal soil type for this boxwood is a loamy blend that is rich in organic matter. Contrary to common perception, Boxwoods do NOT care for acidic soil. Plant in soil with a pH between 6.5-7.2.