The Compact Boxwood Alternative That Is Much More Heat-Tolerant

Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) are a favorite among evergreen hedges, with low-maintenance care and an overall eye-catching appearance. Despite their easygoing nature, boxwoods are not especially heat-tolerant. As a result, gardeners in warmer, sunnier climates may struggle to grow them successfully. Fortunately, there is still a way to add year-round visual appeal to your yard while boosting privacy through landscaping, and it's with this compact alternative to boxwoods.

Pyracomeles 'Juke Box' is a hybrid plant developed from Pyracantha and Osteomeles. It can grow to be up to three feet in height and width, making it the perfect choice for adding a bit of greenery to your garden while making the most of small spaces. Although it doesn't flower, it does stay green year-round, which helps it remain visually relevant in your space. Most notably, it is hardy in USDA growing Zones 6 through 9. As a result, it can hold up to the warmer, sunnier conditions that boxwood may not thrive in.

If that sounds like the exact plant your yard has been missing, the first step is to familiarize yourself with the proper care and maintenance routine for 'Juke Box'. After all, while it is considered easy to grow, a little TLC goes a long way in ensuring that this boxwood alternative reaches its full potential in your garden.

'Juke Box' can be grown year-round in USDA Zone 6 and warmer. One important caveat is that prolonged cold temperatures can damage it. After all, this plant is adapted to warmer weather, and so it may need an extra hand if you experience chilly winters. If that's not a deal-breaker for your garden, the next factor to consider is sunlight. The shrub performs well in both full sun and partial shade. It also sports a notable tolerance to drought, which can be beneficial if you do choose a full sun spot.

As far as day-to-day care goes, the 'Juke Box' is fairly hands-free, with no special needs or preferences to account for. You can leave it to grow freely without pruning, making it popular for those looking for plants that don't need pruning, or you can opt to treat it like boxwood and trim it to your desired silhouette. On the chance you do decide to prune your 'Juke Box' shrub, doing so in the spring provides an easier time. This is because any new growth is still tender rather than firming into woody branches. Because it is drought-tolerant, overwatering should be avoided. Instead, choose soil that maintains medium moisture with ample drainage to help prevent any waterlogging that could lead to root damage.