American or Common Boxwood

(Buxus sempervirens)

It's one of the largest boxwoods, growing to more than 15 feet tall and wide, and it's long-lived. Plant on a well-drained site. It can grow in the Upper, Middle, and Lower South.

Best for accents and tall hedges: 'Dee Runk' is 8 feet tall, 2 feet wide, upright, grows faster than 'Fastigiata,' and needs little pruning. 'Fastigiata' is 8 feet tall and 3½ feet wide.

Best for foundations: 'Vardar Valley' grows 2 to 3 feet tall and twice as wide or wider. It has blue-green foliage in spring, has no leaf miner problems, and is very cold hardy.