General Culture:

Best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers sun-dappled part shade and moist, sandy loams with a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH. Tolerant of pruning and shearing. Avoid cultivating around plants because they have shallow roots. Roots appreciate a good mulch (1-2 "). Thin plants and remove dead/damaged branches annually to improve air circulation. In USDA Zones 5 and 6, this boxwood is best sited in a sheltered location which protects it in winter from strong winds and full sun. Carefully remove heavy snow accumulations from plants as quickly as practicable to minimize stem/branch damage.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

'National' is a Japanese boxwood cultivar introduced by the U. S. National Arboretum. It is an upright, fast-growing evergreen shrub which is typically seen growing as a 3-5' tall shrub. If left unpruned, however, it can eventually grow to 12' tall or more over a period of 25 years. Spring flowers are inconspicuous. Small, elliptic to obovate evergreen leaves.