On the bright side, there was decent snow cover, though the tops of the boxwoods still showed above the snow.

==>> snow is one of the best insulators .... and being buried is perfect ... keeps things out of winter sun and wind ... which is the cause of most of the damage ... plus the roots are kept dormant .. as compared to bare soil.. that might freeze and thaw over a warmish winter ... of which.. surely this one wasnt.. lol ...

i would GUESS the exposed tips will be dead ... and i use the word guess .. because you are 6 to 8 weeks early ... to be deciding what part of the plants are viable ... just because you have spring fever.. doesnt mean its time for the plant to show you whats dead ... you need your soil to thaw ... and warn enough.. to get the roots out of dormancy.. and for buds to start growing.. and once that happens.. the plant will tell you whats dead .... in my cold z5 MI .. near ann arbor.. i would expect to know ... around mid to late may .... and i suspect... your should be about the same ...

ken

ps: pix in sun are hard to define on the computer ... but in the first pic.. it SEEMS.. like you can see more properly green leaves down low.. compared to yellower above ... and that MIGHT tell us.. .that it will recover ... even if it ends up losing part of the tops ... but again.. there is a lot of time for things to go downhill ... or hopefully... uphill ... patience ...

'Winter Gem' is a type of Korean boxwood and these are known for discoloring in winter....usually something in the yellow-orange-bronze tones. In fact, this is a common issue with many different types of box and IMO, one of their many less appealing features. You may get some tip dieback as well but most of that foliage looks very viable, if off colored, and should green up rapidly once warmer temperatures resume. Generally the discoloration and exposure to winter sun go hand in hand.

Although newly planted and not yet established, 'Winter Gem' is also one of the more cold hard varieties of box so should do well in your location. But it is hard to predict how first year plants will behave :-)

Nicholsworth, your green boxwoods may be warmer weather or more shade.

I would likely wait until at least June since sometimes plants regrow from the roots even if the top has died back. The base leaves look fairly green to me.

NHBabs..I thought of that too..yes I am in a warmer zone than Pete..I wonder if boxwood's a good choice in Wisconsin?..if they get a lot of die back every year I wouldn't want it..in my experience boxwoods are slow growing (as compared to say an arborescens hydrangea)..I wouldn't want to see a stubby plant growing back slowly..especially if they're under warranty..

Boxwoods are used extensively in cold winter climates as they are one of the very few broadleaved evergreen shrubs that will tolerate colder zones.

As babs suggested, I wouldn't do anything with these plants for the time being. Just wait to see what happens when the weather warms. And don't be too hasty even then for removal or cutting back. The resumption of normal coloring takes some time to develop. It may very well be that the only pruning necessary is the trimming of any damaged tip growth.

gardengal..I guess I'm not as patient as you and NHBabs!..I cut back a couple of boxwoods intending to rip out the stumps later..they've started growing but I hate the look..I WILL rip them out when it's warmer and the soil's dryer..I would rather see "nothing" than something unattractive..but of course I'll buy something pretty to plant there Lol..

To me, it looks like they are badly winterburned to the snowline. In my part of the world, box planted where it gets winter sun gets badly burned most winters. Planted where it gets shade, it's fine. So they will probably recover, but get bashed again next year, unless they are given shade somehow.

Thanks to all who took the time to respond. I'm going to give my boxwoods some time to show their hand. I do believe they're still alive since there is some normal, green foliage below the winter-burned foliage. If it turns out they made it through this winter then I'm probably home free because this really was a brutal winter here. If they survive and I keep them, maybe I'd be wise to give them some protection with a burlap wrap or screen in future winters.

I think Justin Brouwers is known for staying green all winter. Mine do even in sun, but I am warmer than you.