MSU Extension Gardening in Michigan

Boxwood, Buxus species, has long been an industry standard when it comes to landscape plantings because of its reasonable size, evergreen foliage and resistance to browsing by deer. Recent developments like the box tree moth quarantine and boxwood blight have left a lot of home gardeners scratching their heads and asking, “What shrubs can I plant that will perform like boxwood?” Although there aren’t any perfect replacements on the market yet, Educators at Michigan State University Extension have come up with a list of possibilities. Keep in mind that your choice of replacement should consider factors like your climate, soil type and the specific look you're aiming for. Climate and soils vary greatly across Michigan, and you’ll also want to keep in mind the extent of deer pressure you may encounter in your area. Here are some alternative shrubs to consider: 

Japanese holly (Ilex crenata), especially the compact varieties like Compacta, Helleri, or Sky Pencil can mimic the look of boxwood with small, glossy leaves. They are typically resistant to most disease and pests, but they are prone to deer damage. Ilex crenata (z. 5-8) grows well in full sun to partial shade and clay soil. Japanese holly is easy to transplant, and handles shearing well. It can also be shaped into topiary. However, it is intolerant of alkaline soil and needs consistent moisture.  

Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra). The inkberry holly (z. 4-11) is the only North American native on our list. Native to the coastal plain along the eastern seaboard, it is found growing naturally in sandy woods and at the edges of wetlands. Inkberry holly will grow in average, medium to wet soils, and is tolerant of a range of soil types. However, it prefers rich, consistently moist, acidic soils in full sun. It struggles in neutral to alkaline soils. These hollies should be pruned in early spring before new growth is visible. Inkberry can be grown as a mounding, informal hedge. Their suckering habit can be kept under control with regular removal of suckers.  

Junipers (Juniperus sp.) are widely used because of their versatility and the fact that they come in a myriad of colors, shapes, and needle textures. Depending on the selection, junipers (z. 2-9) can grow as prostrate groundcovers or as tall trees. Their evergreen foliage provides year-round interest and texture in the garden and can be used as design accents, as hedges, or as focal points. They are typically easy to grow in average moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. They can adapt to a wide range of soils including dry, sandy soils with good drainage. However, they suffer in wet soil. Junipers generally do not need pruning, but their height and width can be moderately controlled by careful pruning.  

× Pyracomeles (z. 6b-9) are a newer introduction to the nursery trade. They are a hybrid, resulting from a cross between plants in the genuses, Pyracantha and Osteomeles. × Pyracomeles are thornless shrubs that grow in a mounding shape and can be used as a hedge and trimmed or sheared. Some varieties bloom prolifically with small, white flowers followed by tiny, red-orange fruits; other varieties do not flower. They prefer average soils, with good drainage, and full sun to part shade. However, they can tolerate clay soils and dryer conditions. × Pyracomeles are on the edge of their hardiness range in southern Michigan.  Stacy Hirvela, at Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, says × Pyracomeles have great success in Grand Haven, but she recommends that gardeners “mulch, site in a protected area, and plant as early as possible in spring so that the plant has the longest possible time to get established before harsh weather returns.” If planted in a colder or windier location, × Pyracomeles may exhibit leaf burn or dieback after the winter.  

Yews (Taxus sp.) are a great alternative to boxwood if you are looking for a shrub that can be sheared and shaped into a ball, or cube, or other geometric shape. Yews (z. 4-7) can grow in some shade, and they hold their dark green needles year-round. They can withstand harsh pruning, but it is a better practice to prune more frequently to prevent them from becoming over-grown before cutting back. Some varieties of Taxus sp. look better if they are sheared once or twice annually. Beware, however, that in areas highly populated by deer, they will nibble the new growth of yews, especially during winter months. It may be necessary to net or otherwise protect your yews. Yews are especially tolerant of a wide variety of light and soil conditions, one of the few evergreens that grow well in dense shade. They are relatively less tolerant of soggy soils though, so make sure they are planted in a well-drained location. Japanese plum yew (Cephalotaxus) look and behave similar to yews, but they are less winter-hardy.  

Despite its scientific name Thuja, most of us know these plants as arborvitae. The cultivar Green Giant (z. 5-7) is a result of a cross between a species native to the Pacific Northwest, Thuja plicata, and a species native to Japan, hence their common name Western arborvitae. Its pyramidal shape and evergreen branches growing low to the ground make it ideal for privacy hedges and screens. It grows quickly in sun to part sun and in a range of soils conditions. Once established, it can handle periodic drought conditions. Green Giant is vigorous and can reportedly grow over three feet a year in optimal conditions. It does not tolerate salt spray and should not be planted next to roads that are salted in winter. ‘Green Giant’ is particularly notable because anecdotally it seems to be less attractive as a food source to white-tailed deer than our native eastern arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis.  Green Giant can be lightly pruned or sheared when young. It is important to note, however, that Green Giant is ultimately a tree and can grow up to 60 feet tall and 18 feet wide. Homeowners should plant with the ultimate size in mind and plan to remove trees when they outgrow their space.  

Sweetbox (Sarcococca hookeriana). Need an evergreen option for full to partial shade? Sweetbox could be a good option for you. This low-growing shrub is native to the Western Himalayas and China. Its glossy, broadleaf evergreen leaves make it a natural choice for incorporating into shady areas of the garden. It prefers rich, acidic soils with consistent moisture, though established plants have some drought tolerance. Though its white flowers aren’t especially showy, they are fragrant and give way to shiny black fruits during the summer. Plants are hardy to zones 5-6 depending on the variety and although this plant is in the Buxaceae family, it is not fed upon by box tree moth, though it is susceptible to boxwood blight. 

Wall germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) is an evergreen perennial from the Mediterranean. It is commonly used as a hedging plant in herb gardens and knot gardens. Germander (z. 5-9) needs full sun and well drained soils to thrive. It can be allowed to grow naturally into a mounded shape, or it can be clipped and sheared into a small hedge. If allowed to flower, it can be cut back after flowering to encourage a neat, tidy shape. It spreads by rhizomes which can be kept in check by regular removal. Although germander is hardy to zone 5, it can suffer dieback during harsh winters and benefits from being planted in a sheltered location in colder climates. 

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a semi-evergreen subshrub from Eurasia. It performs best when pruned in the spring but can handle light shearing during the summer months. Like wall germander, it is fitting for herb or knot gardens. If allowed to grow naturally, it will become a loose shrub, and bloom with small, blue flowers. Spring pruning helps the plant keep its shape and, as a result, improves overall plant vigor. Hyssop (z. 4-9) prefers full sun but appreciates some shade during the heat of the day. In northern regions, it will over winter more reliably when planted in sheltered locations. It grows best in well-drained, fertile loam, but will do well in a variety of soils, including clay and sandy soils.  

Bayberry (Myrica pennsylvanica) is another interesting option for consideration if you’re working with soggy soil, high salts or a windy site. Native to the eastern United States, bayberry (z. 3-7) is tolerant of a wide variety of soil types and growing conditions including poor soils, wet soils, drought, high winds or salt sprays from road salt. Since Myrica pennsylvanica is a dioecious shrub, it will perform best when at least one male plant is included amongst female plants. Doing this ensures good pollination and fruit-set. Attractive clusters of grayish-white fruits persist into winter and are a valuable food source for birds. Boasting deer resistance as well, this versatile shrub is worth considering for screening, especially along driveways and roadsides. It should be noted that this is one of the larger shrubs we’ve included, reaching 6-10’ tall and wide. 

Compare your options 

*varietals may differ, check the plant label
+not reliably evergreen in northern climates

Wondering if your soil is alkaline, neutral, or acidic? MSU soil test kits have you covered, they can be purchased at homesoiltest.msu.edu or at your local county Extension office. If you would like to know more about your soil type and texture, you can do a simple at-home test that involves mixing soil and water. 

Not recommended for planting in Michigan 

Certain other shrubs might seem like good alternatives to boxwood in some ways but have been found to have the risk of becoming invasive. It’s not recommended to plant Privet, Japanese barberry or Burning bush for this reason. Border Privet, Ligustrum obtusifolium, has a fast growth rate, high rate of fruit production and can form dense thickets that outcompete other native plants. Japanese barberry, Berberis thunbergia, has similar attributes with the added impact of changing soil characteristics and harboring white-footed deer mice which are a host of black-legged ticks. Winged burning bush, Euonymus alatus, also spreads into natural areas where it can establish and outcompete native vegetation. You can learn more about these species and others by visiting the Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative website. It’s up to you to dig a little deeper on each of these shrubs to see if they are the right choice for your garden.  

While boxwood has long been a go-to choice for landscape plantings, emerging threats like box tree moth and boxwood blight have made it necessary for gardeners to explore alternatives. Fortunately, there are several shrubs that can provide similar aesthetic and functional benefits, depending on your specific needs. By carefully considering your local climate, soil conditions, and deer pressure, you can find a suitable replacement that will thrive in your landscape. With thoughtful selection and proper care, these alternatives shrub options can help maintain the structure and beauty of your garden for years to come.