When it comes to creating a perfect and manicured garden, two evergreen shrubs are consistently in the top wish list of gardeners: boxwood and holly varieties like Soft Touch Holly. Both promise year-round greenery and the ability to be shaped into stunning hedges.
Choosing between them can indeed feel overwhelming, especially since the two plants appear quite similar when cultivated for ornamental use. However, a closer look reveals they are not exactly the same. In this blog, we will explore the key differences between these popular options to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Boxwood as the Classic Choice
Boxwood has earned its reputation as one of the iconic garden plants. Boxwood is the common name for plants in the Buxus genus. They belong to the Buxaceae family group, which is also known as the box family.
The Buxus genus includes approximately 70 different species of evergreen shrubs, each with dense and small leaves. Their naturally compact growth makes them ideal for neat, well-shaped garden designs. Coming from regions as diverse as Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, boxwoods have a global reach.
Boxwood's Growth Pattern
Boxwood grows at a leisurely pace, about 20 centimeters (8 inches) per year under ideal conditions. This is part of their charm and a big reason why gardeners love them, especially those who enjoy tidy hedges. The steady growth pattern makes boxwood suitable for creating structured gardens, which require less frequent trimming and allow for more precise shaping. However, they can also reach heights of up to 30 centimeters if left alone.
Growing Concerns About Boxwood Blight
This shrub also comes with its own set of challenges. What is concerning for modern gardeners is the increasing prevalence of boxwood blight. It is a devastating fungal disease that has spread across the United States over the past decade. Black spots on the leaves and stems, followed by defoliation, are the clear signs of boxwood blight. There's no effective cure, and once one plant is infected, the fungus can quickly spread to others nearby.
Soft Touch Holly or Its Alternative
Large gardens are replacing their boxwood with holly alternatives. Het Loo Palace, a famous restored 17th-century garden, replaced all their diseased boxwood with holly alternatives. The holly varieties serving as boxwood alternatives come primarily from two species: Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) and Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra).
Soft Touch Holly
Soft Touch Holly is a cultivar of Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata), part of the Aquifoliaceae family, which includes roughly 560 species worldwide. As the name suggests, Soft Touch Holly has smooth and glossy leaves that lack the sharp spines of traditional hollies.
Inkberry Holly
Inkberry holly is the closest look-alike to boxwood, especially certain varieties bred to mimic its appearance. These have small, soft, oval-shaped leaves that resemble boxwood more than traditional holly. It grows a bit faster than boxwood but doesn't handle drought well. These varieties usually grow 2 to 3 feet tall and prefer moist or acidic soil.
Soft Touch Holly vs Boxwood: Leaves, Flowers, Berries & Soil
Leaves
Boxwood bears smooth, medium-green, oval-shaped leaves (0.5–1.5 inches long). Over winter, they can be slightly pale or yellow.
Soft Touch holly has glossy, dark green oval-shaped leaves (0.5–1.25 inches long) that feel delightfully soft.
Flowers
Boxwood's blooms are tiny, yellow-greenish in colour. They are star-shaped and monoecious in nature, meaning both male and female flowers are on the same shrub.
Soft Touch Holly, in contrast, has small white flowers and is dioecious in nature, meaning male and female on separate plants.
Berries
Boxwood develops small, round brown capsules that split to reveal shiny black seeds. They are a food source for birds, but can be toxic to humans.
Female Soft Touch Holly can produce glossy black berries about ¼ inches in diameter. While birds may eat them, they are harmful to pets and humans.
Soil Preferences
Boxwood prefers neutral to slightly acidic and well-drained soil. They do not prefer too wet or too dry soil as they both cause problems. Consistent watering is important during dry periods, but it is just as crucial to avoid overwatering.
Soft Touch Holly prefers slightly acidic and organically rich soil. It can tolerate humid heat and is not fond of wet or badly-drained soil. Both plants seem to prefer slightly acidic soil, but holly is more adaptable to various soil types.
Soft Touch Holly vs Boxwood in a Nutshell
| Features | Boxwood | Soft Touch Holly |
| Leaves |
Smooth Medium-green Oval shaped |
Glossy Dark green Oval shaped |
| Flowers |
Tiny Yellow-green star-shaped Monoecious in nature |
Small white flowersDioecious in nature |
| Berries | Small brown capsules with shiny black seeds | Glossy black berries (¼ inches in diameter) |
| Soil Preferences | Neutral to slightly acidic Well-drainedAvoid overly wet or dry conditions | Slightly acidicDislikes poorly drained soil |
Conclusion
The decision between Soft Touch Holly and boxwood ultimately comes down to your specific circumstances and priorities. Boxwood suits low-maintenance gardens in disease-free regions. But, holly alternatives definitely offer compelling advantages: faster establishment, better disease resistance, and broader climate adaptability!
