Boxwood ‘Babylon Beauty’

Boxwood ‘Babylon Beauty’ (Better Boxwood® Series)
A graceful classic reimagined for Southern gardens

At Wrights Market, nestled in our 1938 cottage where stories bloom alongside vegetables and flowers, we hold a deep love for plants that stand the test of time. ‘Babylon Beauty’, a refined selection from the Better Boxwood® series, carries the old-world charm of traditional boxwoods—but with the strength and beauty needed for today’s Southern gardens.

This elegant evergreen was bred in Europe with a simple mission: to bring boxwood back—better, stronger, and more disease-resistant. It’s part of a new generation of boxwoods, developed specifically to resist blight, while still offering the compact shape and classic look we all know and love.

Where it grows best:
Thriving in USDA zones 5–9, ‘Babylon Beauty’ loves full sun to part shade, making it right at home in Southern landscapes—from formal walkways and cottage gardens to foundation beds and parterre-style hedges. It grows in a naturally rounded shape, reaching about 2–3 feet tall and wide, making it easy to tuck near porches, paths, or picket fences.

What it means:
Boxwood has long symbolized eternity, peace, and quiet strength—fitting for a plant that’s been gracing gardens since ancient times. ‘Babylon Beauty’ brings those same sentiments to life, but with a fresh resilience—reminding us that beauty and strength go hand in hand, especially in community and in nature.

Bloom time:
Though boxwoods do bloom with small, pale green spring flowers, their blooms are subtle and understated—valued more for fragrance and pollinator support than showy color. It’s the evergreen foliage—dense, rich, and finely textured—that makes this variety truly shine, especially through the winter months.

Care instructions:

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil

• Water: Regular water during the first year; once established, it's drought-tolerant

• Pruning: Minimal—naturally tidy; trim in late spring or early fall if shaping is desired

• Bonus: Highly blight-resistant, deer-resistant, and tolerant of pruning and shaping

This is a low-maintenance shrub with high style, perfect for gardeners who love order, softness, and tradition all in one plant.

Pairs beautifully with:
Frame ‘Babylon Beauty’ with blooming Southern favorites like hydrangeas, camellias, or daylilies. Tuck it beside lamb’s ear, hellebores, or autumn ferns for year-round texture. In more formal designs, pair with other structured evergreens like holly or Loropetalum for contrast and color.