Common Box (Buxus sempervirens)

Common Box

(Buxus sempervirens)

Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: Nova | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Buxus_sempervirens_'Suffruticosa'_2019-06-01_03.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description ={{en|1=Location taken: Brookside Gardens, Maryland. Names: Chionanthus virginicus L., Amerikansk Sneflokketræ, Arbre à neige, Fringetree, Grancy Gray Beard, Old Man's Beard, Śniegowiec wirginijski, White

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as Common Box or Boxwood, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to open woodlands and rocky hillsides in Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia. It typically grows to 1-9 m (3-30 ft) in height and features a trunk up to 20 cm (8 in) in diameter. The plant has a dense, rounded to broad-rounded form with small, glossy, dark green leaves. The inconspicuous but highly scented, greenish-yellow flowers bloom in spring and are followed by a three-lobed capsule fruit containing 3-6 seeds.

Common Box is valued for its dense foliage and ability to withstand heavy pruning, making it ideal for topiary and hedges. It is also used in parterres and knot gardens. The plant’s small leaves and evergreen nature contribute to its popularity in formal garden design. It is tolerant of a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained, and can grow in full sun to part shade. However, it is susceptible to box blight and box tree moth, which can cause significant damage. To prevent these issues, good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering are recommended.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrubs
Height: 5-15 feet
Width: 5-15 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Hedges, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Open woodlands and rocky hillsides in Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia

Other Names

Common Names: Caucasian Boxwood , European Box , Persian Boxwood , Turkish Boxwood , Boxtree , Boxwood , Boxwoodtree , Box , Common Boxwood , French Boxwood

Scientific Names: Buxus sempervirens , Buxus variegata , Buxus suffruticosa , Buxus elegantissima , Buxus argentea , Buxus colchica , Buxus nana , Buxus hyrcana , Buxus sempervirens var. suffruticosa , Buxus sempervirens var. arborescens

GBIF Accepted Name: Buxus sempervirens L.