Dee Runk boxwood plants commonly cost $35-$300 each, with many homeowners paying about $90-$150 for a nursery-grown plant in a 3- to 5-gallon container. The Dee Runk boxwood price depends mainly on plant size, container volume, local availability, delivery distance, and whether planting is included.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant only | $35 | $110 | $300 | Approximate nursery price per plant |
| Installed plant | $85 | $225 | $550 | Includes typical planting labor and basic materials |
| Plant by container size | $35 | $110 | $300 | About 1- to 15-gallon nursery stock |
| Delivery | $30 | $75 | $175 | Often charged per order or by distance |
Assumptions: U.S. retail nursery pricing, healthy container-grown plants, and ordinary access; rare sizes and local supply can change quotes.
What Dee Runk Boxwood Plants Cost by Container Size
For a single Dee Runk boxwood, expect about $35-$70 for a small 1- to 2-gallon plant, $60-$130 for a 3-gallon plant, and $90-$200 for a 5-gallon specimen. Larger 7- to 15-gallon plants may run $150-$300 or more, especially when they are tall, densely branched, or sourced from a specialty grower. Container sizes indicate nursery pot volume, not a guaranteed plant height.
Many buyers choose a 3- or 5-gallon plant for an entry, narrow foundation bed, or young privacy screen. A small plant costs less initially but needs more time to reach the intended height. A larger specimen can provide immediate visual impact, but its purchase price, delivery needs, and planting labor are usually higher. A realistic midrange budget is $90-$150 per plant before delivery and installation.
Prices vary by retailer and season, and online listings may show a low price that applies only to the smallest size. A quote should identify the container size, approximate height, and whether the plant is locally grown or shipped. For a row, calculate the plant subtotal by multiplying the per-plant price by the number needed, then add delivery, soil amendments, and labor.
How Nursery Stock, Labor, and Delivery Shape the Quote
A landscape quote separates the plant from the work needed to transport and establish it. Plant costs make up the largest share for a small DIY planting, while labor and delivery become more important with large containers, multiple plants, or difficult access. The ranges below are typical planning figures rather than fixed national rates.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | Typical basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dee Runk plant | $35 | $110 | $300 | Each; size and stock availability |
| Planting labor | $45 | $90 | $160 | Per plant; normal soil and access |
| Soil and mulch | $10 | $25 | $55 | Per plant; basic bed preparation |
| Delivery | $30 | $75 | $175 | Per order; local delivery distance |
| Removal or disposal | $0 | $35 | $100 | Per plant; when old shrubs or roots must go |
Planting labor often adds $45-$160 per shrub. Contractors may charge a minimum visit fee, so one plant can have a higher installed price per unit than a group. Large root balls may require two workers or equipment, while a narrow side yard, compacted soil, buried roots, or stairs can add time.
Basic planting supplies may include compost or other soil amendments, mulch, and watering materials. Not every site needs amended soil; an installer should explain any proposed soil replacement rather than adding it automatically. Ask whether delivery, planting, bed preparation, and cleanup are included before comparing total quotes.
Which Height, Spacing, and Site Conditions Raise the Price
Plant size is the clearest price driver. A 1- to 2-gallon plant generally costs less than half the price of a 7- to 15-gallon specimen, but the larger plant may require more handling. Height varies with growing conditions and pruning, so two plants in the same container class can still have different dimensions and prices.
Spacing also changes the budget. Dee Runk boxwoods have a narrow, upright habit, making them useful where a vertical accent is wanted in a limited footprint. For a screen, spacing plants about 2-3 feet apart may create a more continuous look over time; wider spacing reduces the count but leaves gaps longer. The appropriate distance depends on mature width, the desired appearance, and the landscape plan. A line 20 feet long at 2.5-foot spacing takes about eight or nine plants, while 3.5-foot spacing takes roughly six or seven.
Site preparation is another major variable. A straightforward planting hole in workable soil may take 30-60 minutes per shrub. Heavy clay, rocky ground, buried construction debris, or removal of an established shrub can extend the job to 1-2 hours per location and add disposal charges. If the planting bed needs edging or irrigation changes, those are separate work items.
Regional supply affects availability as well as price. A nursery that stocks Dee Runk locally may charge less for delivery than a retailer shipping plants across several states. Large sizes and specific cultivars are not always available at nearby garden centers, so customers may pay a premium for sourcing or transport. Confirm the cultivar and actual plant dimensions, not just the product photo or pot size.
How Installed Dee Runk Boxwood Prices Vary by Region
Local labor, nursery supply, and delivery routes can shift an installed quote. In lower-cost rural markets, a standard 3-gallon plant installed in an accessible bed may total roughly $120-$220. In many suburban areas, a similar job may land around $160-$300. Dense metropolitan markets with higher labor rates or delivery minimums can reach $220-$400 per plant, even when the plant itself is comparable.
These are broad regional comparisons, not fixed geographic price bands. A high-cost city may have a nearby wholesale nursery, while a rural property may require a long delivery trip or a contractor’s minimum charge. For large orders, delivery can be spread across multiple shrubs, lowering the per-plant transportation expense. For a single large specimen, delivery and handling can be a substantial fraction of the bill.
Ask contractors to specify whether the estimate assumes a 3-gallon or 5-gallon plant and how far the crew must carry it. A quote for a plant set beside a driveway is not necessarily comparable to one that includes hand-carrying materials through a narrow gate. Compare installed totals for the same size, access conditions, and cleanup scope.
Three Dee Runk Planting Quotes With Different Scopes
A small entry planting could use two 3-gallon plants at $75 each, with one hour of labor per shrub at $65 per hour and $35 in shared soil and mulch. With a $45 local delivery charge, the estimated total is $355, or about $178 per plant. The estimate assumes clear access, no old shrubs to remove, and ordinary soil.
A short, six-plant screen might use 5-gallon plants at $125 each, with 45 minutes of labor per plant at $70 per hour. Add $120 for delivery and $120 for shared bed preparation and mulch. The estimated total is about $1,035, or approximately $173 per plant. The quoted spacing and plant height should be checked against the intended screen design.
A single 10-gallon specimen could cost $240, with two workers spending 1.5 hours at a combined $140 per hour. Add $75 for delivery and $40 for planting materials, bringing the estimate to about $565. Difficult access, root removal, or a lifting requirement could add $75-$250 or more. These examples illustrate how labor and delivery change the total even when plant prices are similar.
What Planting Time, Delivery, and Removal Add
A landscaper may plant a small container shrub in about 30-60 minutes when the bed is ready. Larger plants, multiple shrubs, or challenging soil can raise the time to 1-2 hours per plant. Hourly labor commonly falls around $45-$90 per worker, while established companies may quote by the plant or project and include travel, tools, and overhead.
Delivery fees often range from $30-$175 per order. Some nurseries waive or reduce delivery above a purchase minimum, while others charge more for long distances or large stock. Same-day or scheduled delivery may have limited availability, particularly for a specific cultivar or oversized plant. Confirm whether the fee includes unloading at the planting area or only curbside drop-off.
Removing an existing shrub can add $35-$100 per plant for ordinary digging and disposal. A mature root system, heavy soil, or a need to haul debris off-site can raise the charge. Stump grinding, irrigation repair, and rebuilding a damaged bed may be priced separately. Request a written list of exclusions so later site charges do not surprise the budget.
When Smaller Boxwoods or Repair Work Cost Less
Choosing a smaller container is the simplest way to lower the purchase price. A 1- to 2-gallon plant may cost $35-$70, compared with $90-$200 for many 5-gallon specimens. The tradeoff is a longer wait for substantial height and greater need to protect young plants from drought or damage during establishment.
For an existing Dee Runk planting, check whether only one or two shrubs need replacement. Replacing healthy plants simply to create a uniform row can turn a limited repair into a much larger expense. If a plant is sparse or damaged, a nursery or qualified landscaper can assess whether pruning, watering changes, or improved drainage could address the problem before removal is considered.
Alternative upright evergreens may cost less or be easier to source locally, but they can differ in mature width, growth rate, maintenance, and suitability for the site. Compare the mature dimensions and care needs, not only the container price. A cheaper plant that outgrows the available space can create future pruning or replacement costs. Keep the desired mature size and planting purpose fixed before comparing alternatives.
How to Lower the Dee Runk Boxwood Bill
Get at least three local quotes that identify the plant’s container size, approximate height, delivery fee, labor, materials, and cleanup. Retail listings can help establish a plant-only baseline, but they may exclude freight or installation. If one quote is substantially lower, check whether it includes the same size and healthy, correctly labeled stock.
Reduce costs by grouping plants into one delivery, choosing a smaller size where time allows, and preparing an accessible planting area before the crew arrives. Removing loose debris and clearing the route can reduce handling time, but digging should be left to the contractor when buried utilities or irrigation lines may be present. Ask the utility-location service about underground lines before any excavation.
Schedule flexibly when possible. A nursery may have more size choices during its main planting season, but demand and local weather can affect delivery dates and labor availability. The best timing depends on the region and the plants’ care requirements; avoid choosing a date that leaves new shrubs without reliable watering. Control the scope first, then compare plant quality and installed price.
Clarify payment, replacement policies, and warranty terms. A plant warranty may cover replacement only under specific conditions, such as correct planting and watering, and may exclude weather damage or neglect. An inexpensive plant without a clear return policy is not automatically the lowest-cost option if it arrives damaged or fails soon after installation.