How can I make my boxwood survive in a flower bed in a zone 5 winter (almost zone 4)?

Question

I live in a zone 5 and I love boxwoods. I have been able to keep 1 alive by putting burlap around it for 2 years. However, I would like a taller boxwood in a raised flower bed (part of my front yard landscaping) and was told by my local garden centre that it’s not possible in a flower bed. I was wondering if this was absolutely true or if there is something I can do to help it survive our winters (sometimes up to -25 Celsius). Thank you!

Answer 1

Unfortunately, unless you intend to keep it in container, and bring it in for the winter, this will be almost impossible.

As you have already probably seen, it can be a bit of a task to keep something alive that it right on the edge of where it can survive. Adding another element against you will result in a quicker death than the previous attempt.

You may want to find another similar shrub to replace it with. This article will offer options that are fully hardy in your area: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-4/zone-4-evergreen-shrubs.htm