Plant DetailShow Menu

Elegans Boxwood Buxus sempervirens 'Elegantissima'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
BUK-sus sem-per-VEE-renz
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

'Elegantissima' or elegans boxwood is a mid-sized, compact, variegated boxwood cultivar in the family Buxaceae (boxwood). It is a woody, evergreen, perennial shrub with a somewhat rounded growth habit, maturing to roughly 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. The boxwood common name may refer to use of the wood to make boxes in the past. 

This plant grows best in part shade or morning sun in well-drained loamy soil of near-neutral pH. Growth is less vigorous in full shade and leaves may scorch in full sun. Pruning to maintain shape and air circulation may be done after the last frost. The plant has shallow roots, so cultivation near the trunk should be minimized, and a good layer of organic mulch would be beneficial. The plant is easily propagated by stem cuttings.

The ‘Elegantissima’ boxwood makes a striking accent plant, given its small bright green leaves with broad, irregular creamy white margins. From a distance, the shrub can appear almost white.

This plant works well in a mass planting or in small groups in formal English or cottage gardens, in small spaces along walkways and foundations, or in a courtyard planting.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to boxwood blight and leaf spot diseases. Insect pests include boxwood leafminer, boxwood mite, and boxwood psyllid. Nematodes may be of concern in the deep south.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common boxwood insect pests and diseases.

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.

More information on Buxus sempervirens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#specimen#shrub#cottage garden#topiary#deer resistant#foundation planting#formal garden#English garden#courtyard garden#walkway planting#small group plantings#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#shearing#hedge#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#specimen#shrub#cottage garden#topiary#deer resistant#foundation planting#formal garden#English garden#courtyard garden#walkway planting#small group plantings#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#shearing#hedge#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Buxus
    Species:
    sempervirens
    Family:
    Buxaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Dehiscent capsule that matures to bown.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Non-showy, apetalous flowers in clusters are pale green to yellow to creamy white. Fragrant flowers for the brief time they are present.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Dark glossy green leaves with irregular white-cream margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    New stems green, mature to brown, square shape.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    English Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Dogs and cats: vomiting, diarrhea; Horses: colic, diarrhea, respiratory failure, seizures
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No