Buxus Sempervirens

Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as common box, is a classic evergreen shrub known for its dense, small-leaved foliage and versatile, slow-growing habit. Its dark evergreen leaves provide a lush, continuous backdrop in gardens throughout the year.

Buxus sempervirens is ideal for formal hedges, edging, parterres, and topiary. Its dense growth habit and ability to tolerate heavy pruning make it a favourite for creating structured garden elements, such as balls, cones, or more intricate shapes. It suits a variety of garden styles, from formal to cottage, and can be used in small and large landscapes alike to add evergreen structure and define garden spaces.
Common box prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives in well-drained, slightly alkaline to neutral soil. It is adaptable to a range of conditions, though it requires protection from strong winds and excessive winter wetness. For hedge planting, a spacing of about 20-30 cm is recommended to achieve a dense, seamless barrier.
Can be kept as low as 30cm in height, but will grow to 1m tall if kept untrimmed.

Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as Common Boxwood, is an evergreen shrub that is widely used in landscaping for its ability to be pruned into various shapes and sizes, making it ideal for hedges, topiaries, and borders. Here’s a comprehensive planting guide for this versatile plant:

• Sunlight: Boxwood can tolerate full sun to partial shade. However, it thrives in areas with partial shade, especially in regions with hot summers, where too much sun can cause the leaves to scorch.
• Soil: It prefers well-draining, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Boxwood can grow in various soil types but will struggle in heavy clay or overly wet soils. If necessary, amend the soil with compost or organic matter to improve drainage.
• Spacing: Boxwoods should be spaced at least 18 to 24 inches apart if you’re planting a hedge or border. For individual shrubs, ensure they have enough space to grow without overcrowding.

• Best Time to Plant: The ideal planting time for Buxus sempervirens is during the early spring or fall, when the weather is cooler, and the plant can establish its roots before the heat of summer or cold of winter.
• Prepare the Planting Site: Choose a site with good air circulation and avoid areas where water tends to pool. Loosen the soil around the planting hole.
• Digging the Hole: Dig a hole that is about twice as wide as the root ball and about the same depth. This allows the roots to spread out and establish better.
• Planting: Place the boxwood in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Avoid planting too deep, as this can suffocate the roots. Backfill the hole with soil and gently firm it around the roots.
• Watering: Water the plant well after planting to help settle the soil around the roots. Keep the soil consistently moist during the first few weeks, but avoid waterlogging.

• Watering: Boxwoods need consistent moisture, especially when newly planted. Water deeply and regularly during the first few months. Once established, they are somewhat drought-tolerant but perform best with moderate watering during dry periods.
• Fertilizing: Boxwoods typically don’t require heavy fertilization. In early spring, apply a slow-release balanced fertilizer designed for evergreen shrubs. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive growth or weak foliage. If your soil is fertile, you may only need to fertilize once a year.

• Pruning: Boxwood responds well to pruning and can be shaped easily. Regular pruning helps maintain its compact, tidy appearance. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches and shape the shrub as desired.
• Trimming for Hedges: If using Boxwood as a hedge, trim regularly to maintain the desired shape. For formal hedges, prune several times a year to keep it neat.
• Thinning: Periodically thin out the interior of the shrub to promote air circulation, which helps prevent disease.

• Pests: Common pests include boxwood mites, scale insects, and leafminers. These can be controlled with insecticidal soap or horticultural oils.
  • Boxwood Mites: These tiny pests can cause yellowing leaves. Insecticidal soap or miticides can be effective treatments.
  • Leafminers: They create tunnels inside leaves, and infested leaves should be removed.
• Diseases: Boxwood can be susceptible to fungal diseases like boxwood blight or root rot if conditions are too wet. To prevent disease, ensure good drainage and proper spacing for air circulation.
  • Boxwood Blight: Symptoms include dark, circular spots on the leaves. It’s crucial to remove infected leaves immediately and avoid overhead watering.
  • Root Rot: Ensure proper drainage and avoid planting in heavy, wet soils.

• Protection from Cold: While Boxwood is generally hardy (USDA Zones 5-9), in colder climates, winter winds and freezing temperatures can cause damage. To protect the plant:
  • Apply mulch around the base to insulate the roots.
  • Consider covering the shrub with burlap or using an anti-desiccant spray in extremely cold areas to prevent leaf scorch.
• Winter Sun: In sunny winter climates, Boxwood can suffer from “winter burn” if exposed to intense sun and drying winds. Choose a location with some winter protection, like near a building or a fence, to avoid this.

• Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’ (English Boxwood): A dwarf variety often used for low hedges and formal gardens.
• Buxus sempervirens ‘Arborescens’ (American Boxwood): A taller variety, often used for larger hedges and screens.
• Buxus sempervirens ‘Greeley’: A compact, slow-growing variety ideal for container planting or smaller landscapes.

• Hedges: Buxus sempervirens is a classic choice for formal hedges, especially in traditional gardens.
• Topiary: This plant is often used for creating topiary designs because of its dense foliage and ability to tolerate frequent pruning.
• Borders and Edging: It’s perfect for creating low, neat borders around garden beds, pathways, or patios.