Botanical name
Buxus sempervirens
Other names
Common box
Genus
Buxus
Species
- sempervirens– , slow-growing evergreen shrub. The small, glossy oval leaves form a dense mass, with inconspicuous, yellowish flowers in late spring.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Compact
Toxicity
Ingestion may cause stomach upset; contact may irritate the skin.
COLOUR
Flower
Pale-yellow, Insignificant or absent in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
HOW TO CARE
Watch out for
Specific pests
Red spider mite (box and other) , Box sucker , Mussel scale
Specific diseases
Box blights , Leaf spot
General care
Pruning
As an informal hedge, box requires little pruning. Be guided by the natural habit of this plant. Keep plants to the desired size by pruning back long shoots. Hedging plants and topiary can be cut back hard when young to encourage bushy growth.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
WHERE TO GROW
Buxus sempervirens (Common box) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 8m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Banks and Slopes, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Foliage only, Garden edging, Ground Cover, Hedging/Screens, Instant, Mediterranean, Topiary
Cultivation
Plant in well-drained soil in partial shade. Avoid scorch by sun and strong winds. If using for topiary or hedging, plant young plants just below the nursery soil mark to encourage growth from the base.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
