Littleleaf Boxwood Buxus microphylla
Other plants called Littleleaf Boxwood:
- Phonetic Spelling
- BUK-sus my-kro-FIL-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Littleleaf Boxwood is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen drought tolerant shrub. It prefers moist cool soils so mulch heavily around the roots. Plant in full sun to light shade but provide some protection from wind and winter weather. It is easy to transplant due to its shallow roots and tolerates pruning well hence its use in topiary. Grow it in a container, along a border, or as an edging or hedge. Propagate by stem cuttings which root easily.
This plant is resistant to damage by deer.
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 landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Compacta'
Best variety for a low hedge - 'Curly Locks'
- 'Green Borders'
- 'Green Pillow'
- 'Sunnyside'
Large leaves good cold hardiness, yellow bronze fall color - var. 'Koreana'
Most hardy of varieties, foliage bronze-colored in winter - 'Winter Beauty'
Mounded form, attractive bronze fall/winter color - 'Wintergreen'
Bright green small leaves, keeps green in winter
- 'Compacta'
- 'Compacta', 'Curly Locks', 'Green Borders', 'Green Pillow', 'Sunnyside', var. 'Koreana', 'Winter Beauty', 'Wintergreen'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Compacta'
Best variety for a low hedge - 'Curly Locks'
- 'Green Borders'
- 'Green Pillow'
- 'Sunnyside'
Large leaves good cold hardiness, yellow bronze fall color - var. 'Koreana'
Most hardy of varieties, foliage bronze-colored in winter - 'Winter Beauty'
Mounded form, attractive bronze fall/winter color - 'Wintergreen'
Bright green small leaves, keeps green in winter
- 'Compacta'
- 'Compacta', 'Curly Locks', 'Green Borders', 'Green Pillow', 'Sunnyside', var. 'Koreana', 'Winter Beauty', 'Wintergreen'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Buxus
- Species:
- microphylla
- Family:
- Buxaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are attractive to bees.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 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 Description:
- A dehiscent 3-celled capsule that matures to brown
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Non-showy, male and female flowers. Fragrant an attracts bees.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Medium green .3"-1" long, 1/4" wide, broadest in the middle, apex notched. Unattractive yellow-green or brown fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
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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
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
