Overwintering guide
How to overwinter franklin's gem boxwood
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills franklin's gem boxwood in winter
Cutting franklin's gem boxwood hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More franklin's gem boxwood care
- Overwintering japanese box — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full franklin's gem boxwood care guide
- Franklin's Gem Boxwood temperature range
- How often to water franklin's gem boxwood
- How to prune franklin's gem boxwood
- Common franklin's gem boxwood problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering franklin's gem boxwood — FAQ
Does franklin's gem boxwood need to come indoors for winter?
Franklin's Gem Boxwood is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Franklin's Gem Boxwood is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move franklin's gem boxwood for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water franklin's gem boxwood in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills franklin's gem boxwood over winter?
Cutting franklin's gem boxwood hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.