Littleleaf Boxwood Buxus microphylla
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Littleleaf Boxwood:
- Phonetic Spelling
- BUK-sus my-kro-FIL-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Littleleaf boxwood is an evergreen shrub in the Buxaceae (boxwood) family and native to Japan. Buxus is the Latin name for boxwood or box tree. The common name of boxwood refers to the wood used to make carved decorative boxes. Another etymology is that boxwood describes the square stems of its young plants.
Like other boxwoods, littleleaf boxwood prefers moist, cool, well-drained soil and is adaptable to various soil types. Since the roots are shallow, mulch heavily to help retain moisture. Once established this plant is typically quite drought tolerant. Plant in full sun to light shade but provide some protection from wind and winter weather, as foliage tends to turn an orangish-brown with extremes on some varieties. It prunes exceptionally well, but do not prune until after the possibility of a late spring frost to prevent damage to new growth. Propagate by stem cuttings, which root easily. This plant is resistant to damage by rabbits and deer.
Littleleaf boxwood is a versatile slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub that provides landscape interest in all four seasons. It has the smallest leaves of all the boxwoods creating a densely packed surface that is easily shaped into a medium-size hedge, topiary, or bonsai. Small non-showy flowers arrive in the spring and provide a nice fragrance for a short time.
Grow it in a container, along a border, or as an edging or hedge. It also is appropriate as an accent, specimen, placed in small groups, mass planted, or used along a foundation.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to boxwood leaf miner and boxwood mites. Some susceptibility to leaf spot and boxwood blight which causes premature defoliation and dieback. Poorly drained soils may cause root rot. Foliar injury during harsh winters.
For suitable alternatives, see this video created by Charlotte Glen as part of the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens series.
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; smallest; use for bonsai - 'Curly Locks'
Twisted branches with narrow, yellow green, curled leaves - 'Green Borders'
Fine textured, dark green foliage, horizontal branching habit, 2-3' tall - 'Green Pillow'
Dwarf, low-mound, dense, small green leaves, 2-3' tall - 'Sunnyside'
Large leaves good cold hardiness, yellow bronze fall color
var. japonica
- var. koreana
Most hardy of varieties, foliage bronze-colored in winter - 'Winter Beauty'
Mounded form, attractive bronze fall/winter color - 'Winter Gem'
Winter hardy; 4'-6' tall; lighter green foliage; prunes well - 'Wintergreen'
Winter hardy; compact 2'-4' tall; good pest resistance; bright green small leaves, keeps green in winter
Loose, deep green foliage, round evergreen shrub to 6.5' tall - 'Compacta'
- 'Compacta', 'Curly Locks', 'Green Borders', 'Green Pillow', 'Sunnyside', var. japonica, var. koreana, 'Winter Beauty', 'Winter Gem', 'Wintergreen'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Compacta'
Best variety for a low hedge; smallest; use for bonsai - 'Curly Locks'
Twisted branches with narrow, yellow green, curled leaves - 'Green Borders'
Fine textured, dark green foliage, horizontal branching habit, 2-3' tall - 'Green Pillow'
Dwarf, low-mound, dense, small green leaves, 2-3' tall - 'Sunnyside'
Large leaves good cold hardiness, yellow bronze fall color
var. japonica
- var. koreana
Most hardy of varieties, foliage bronze-colored in winter - 'Winter Beauty'
Mounded form, attractive bronze fall/winter color - 'Winter Gem'
Winter hardy; 4'-6' tall; lighter green foliage; prunes well - 'Wintergreen'
Winter hardy; compact 2'-4' tall; good pest resistance; bright green small leaves, keeps green in winter
Loose, deep green foliage, round evergreen shrub to 6.5' tall - 'Compacta'
- 'Compacta', 'Curly Locks', 'Green Borders', 'Green Pillow', 'Sunnyside', var. japonica, var. koreana, 'Winter Beauty', 'Winter Gem', 'Wintergreen'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Buxus
- Species:
- microphylla
- Family:
- Buxaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- 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:
- 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:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- 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
- 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:
- 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 Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Non-showy, male and female flowers. Fragrant an attracts bees.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- 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 soft orange-brown fall color. Foliage has a distinct odor.
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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:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Skin irritation minor or lasting only for a few minutes. If ingested, can cause nausea, diarrhea, dizziness and vomiting. Dogs and cats: vomiting, diarrhea; Horses: colic, diarrhea, respiratory failure, seizures
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Steroidal alkaloids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Leaves
