Gonna need a bit more info to help. Where in Wisc are you? What kind of soil (sandy, clay)? When you say in front of the house do you mean a foundation planting or further out? If a foundation plant, is an overhang keeping rain away? How much sun do they get? Etc, etc.

tj

I have top soil over clay. The boxwoods are planted close to the house near windows without an overhang. The area gets full sun in the afternoon.

Well, I might not give up on them yet. Although boxwood likes full sun, they also like cooler soils. Are they mulched and well watered? It often takes two or more years for shrubs to get their roots established. Depending on the root system when planted they may take longer. Although they're rated for zone 5, some question their durability in the colder parts of zone 5 because they have a shallow root system. Being against your house they should be ok if you are anywhere in zone 5.

tj

Boxwoods grow slow. There are a couple that survive zone 4 just fine and they are very tolerant of abuse, too. I've had 3 of them for 4-5 years and get moved all over the yard, sometimes several times a year because I've had a hard time placing them. I love them, though - so rugged and forgiving.

What do you mean by "not too evergreen"?

"What do you mean by "not too evergreen"?"
What I mean by evergreen is the look of junipers. (I have a couple of those). Hmmm... nothing that looks like a christmas tree. Does that make sense?!

Where are you located in Wisconsin...it would give us a better idea of your climate. Boxwoods are pretty tough. We sell a ton of them in Racine.

Dave
Franklin

I live in Franklin.