Buxus microphylla var. japonica
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BUK-sus my-kroh-FY-lah vah-RY-eh-tee jah-PON-ih-kah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
The Japanese boxwood is a fine-textured, loose and rounded evergreen shrub that grows to 6.5' tall. In the landscape, it works well as a low hedge, foundation plant, edging, or shrub border. It is very tolerant of pruning and sheering but do not prune before the last spring frost date or new growth will be damaged. Propagate by stem cutting or the plant will self-seed in optimum growing conditions.
This boxwood prefers moist cool soils so mulch heavily around the roots. Plant in well-drained soil with slight acidity to slight alkalinity and dappled to partial shade. It can be grown in full shade but will become leggy and sparsely foliated. Full sun may cause foliage to turn a reddish color. This is a slow growing shrub and sensitive to over-fertilization. New growth may be injured by frost. Once established, it is very drought tolerant.
This plant is drought, deer, rabbit, and nematode resistant.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves opposite, apex rounded or notched
- Stems square and winged (decurrent petiole)
- Midrib with white cottony pubescence below
- Leaves about one inch long and often as broad
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant can be challenging to grow. Boxwood mites and leaf miners can affect stressed plants. Blight and leaf spot can affect plants. Root rot occurs in poorly drained soil. Foliage burns in hot summer suns or harsh winter winds.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- English Garden Terrace View English Garden Boxwood Parterre Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Borderline'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Borderline'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Buxus
- Species:
- microphylla
- Family:
- Buxaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The extremely hard wood was used to make boxes, hence the common name.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Inconspicuous and not showy
-
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, green to cream, fragrant, insignificant flowers in axillary clusters, 4-parted. Apetalous (no petals).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Small ~1", opposite, simple leaves, broadest above the middle. Typically obcordate and just as broad as long, rounded or notched apex; petiole fused to stem (decurrent) with white cottony midrib below. Foliage green, but sometimes has yellowish-green leaves, malodorous.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- New stems green, mature to brown, square shape.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Security
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Causes low toxicity if eaten. Skin irritation minor or lasting only for a few minutes. Dogs and cats: vomiting, diarrhea; Horses: colic, diarrhea, respiratory failure, seizures
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Steroidal alkaloids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Leaves
