Choose Franklin’s Gem Boxwood for a small, tidy evergreen mound where winter color matters; the tradeoff is slow growth, so pick another boxwood if you need height or quick fill.
Buy This If
You want a compact rounded boxwood.
You prefer light pruning.
Winter color matters near the house.
Skip This If
You need quick size.
You want a tall hedge.
You dislike slow-growing shrubs.
PGNE Report Card
Category
Grade
Why
Landscape Impact
B+
It gives clean evergreen structure, but it is more quiet and formal than showy.
Growth Rate
C
It fills in slowly, which helps control size but requires patience.
Maintenance
A-
Its naturally rounded habit keeps pruning needs lower than many formal boxwoods.
Deer Resistance
B+
Boxwood is generally a good pick where browsing is a concern, though no shrub is completely safe.
Small Space Fit
A
Its compact habit works well along walks, entries, and foundation beds.
Screening Value
D
It is too low and slow for privacy or blocking views.
Compare It To
Green Gem Boxwood
Choose Franklin’s Gem Boxwood for a tighter rounded look and strong winter color; choose Green Gem Boxwood if you want a commonly used compact boxwood with a similar small-scale role.
Sprinter® Boxwood
Choose Sprinter® Boxwood if you want faster fill; choose Franklin’s Gem Boxwood if slow, controlled growth and a neat mound are the priority.
Green Mountain Boxwood (pyramidal)
Choose Green Mountain Boxwood (pyramidal) for upright structure; choose Franklin’s Gem Boxwood for low edging and rounded foundation planting.
Our Experience
At PGNE, we’d typically recommend Franklin’s Gem for small formal spots where a slow, dense boxwood is an advantage, not for customers trying to cover space quickly.
Plant Facts
Mature Height
2–3 ft
Mature Width
3–4 ft
Hardiness Zones
4a-8a
Spacing
2–3 ft spacing for hedge
Sun
Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture
Dry to moist
Growth Habit
bushy; spreading; compact
Customers Usually Ask
Will it need shearing?
Light touch-up pruning is usually enough if you like a neat rounded shape.
Is it good for privacy?
No, use a taller boxwood or evergreen if screening is the goal.
Does it hold color in winter?
Yes, it is valued for better winter color retention than many traditional boxwoods.
Why Choose Boxwoods for a Polished Landscape?
Year-Round Evergreen Structure: Dense foliage maintains its rich green color through every season.
Perfect for Hedges & Borders: Easily shaped and maintained for clean lines, formal gardens, or foundation plantings.
Low Maintenance & Hardy: With proper placement, boxwoods require minimal upkeep and offer dependable performance.
Shrubs Grown to Perform in New England
At Pro Growers of New England, our shrubs are grown and maintained locally to perform in true New England conditions. From flowering varieties to evergreen foundation plants, each shrub is properly spaced, pruned, and cared for to develop strong root systems and balanced structure before it ever reaches your landscape.
Unlike large online sellers that ship plants long distances, we invite you to visit our nursery, walk the rows, and inspect the exact shrubs available. You can see the size, health, and fullness in person — ensuring there are no surprises upon delivery.
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Growzone Finder
It helps us recommend plants that are best for your local climate, based on your growing zone. Also, because we ship plants based on when they are best for your local climate, it allows us to give you a more accurate estimate of when your order will ship.