I have some winter gem boxwoods planted as babies nine years ago.

I've trimmed twice a season, spring and fall, and managed to keep them -- now at the 9 year mark -- to anywhere from 18-22 inches wide and 22-24 inches tall. Which is the size I'd like them to stay.

The max size for these are supposed to be 2-3 feet wide by high.

-- Will these ever 'stop growing?' If so how long does it take them to reach their max? and is that the same as what's called mature height, or can a plant reach mature height at a certain AGE, but still keep growing.

-- At this nine year mark, it seems they are still slowing growing. If I hadn't been trimming them all this time they'd be much bigger than they are.

-- They have nice thick foliage and leaves. trimmed into neat, balls. Will there come a time that they won't get BIGGER -- that' ill only have to trim to keep the SHAPE, but not the SIZE.

quote:

Originally posted by clbselah:
-- Will these ever 'stop growing?'

When they die they'll stop growing. Otherwise they'll continue to grow and need trimming.

I'm asking this out of ignorance....

If the max size is supposed to be 2-3' by 2-3', then shouldn't it stop growing at about three feet. If it keeps growing ... then that's not a max of three feet.

....or is is "mature size" is 2-3 feet, and it keeps growing after that.

I have noticed some places say max size, others say 'mature' size, but I thought for sure these things would MAX OUT at 2-3 feet.

Also I'll see references to slow, medium or fast growth rate....I think I saw somewhere there's a rule of thumb for knowing that rate....

....like if the mature height is (pick any height/width)...then a slow grower will take x amount of time to get half that height, and x mount of time to get to that mature height.

Like mature height after five years...or will reach mature height in 9 years, etc. Is there a way to know what this 'rule of thumb" is so I can calculate for plants for future reference?

I must not be using the right search term, many places refer to the "mature size" but I haven't found one yet the tells you what it means or when it gets there. My guess is mature size is what you can expect in X number of years probably 5-10 but the plant will continue to grow after it reaches mature size.

Dwarf bushes tend to be very slow growing and don't need a lot of pruning to keep their shape.

Thanks, Sparky.

here's a web page I did find: http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/l...002041917017880.html
It's called" How big is this shrub going to get and how quickly? Quick growers and good hedges."

I don't remember if winter gems have a dwarf variety. But I specifically picked them because their mature size is only about 2 feet (maybe three).

As I said after nine years, which I guess in the life of landscaping isn't that long, mine are still only 2 feet (w/d) and I'm going to trim hard to keep them that size!

They were the smallest boxwood I could find!

Oh, also found this on theplantfarm.com so maybe I am close to it's quote/unquote max size: (here's hoping.)

Buxus m. j. ‘Winter Gem’ – Winter Gem Boxwood
If you are looking for a hedge that will reach 2 - 3 feet and stop, Winter Gem Boxwoods are the perfect match for your garden. Unlike the Dwarf Boxwood, its faster growing, dense structure is more upright and square. It’s small tight dark green leaves makes a beautiful background to help define your yard, garden or even a flower bed. It also does great as a central focus point for container gardening.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: clbselah,