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Buxus sempervirens is often confused with:
Buxus microphylla var. japonica Buxus microphylla var. japonica
Ilex crenata 'Convexa' Ilex crenata 'Convexa'
Ilex crenata 'Hetzii'
Sarcococca confusa Sarcococca confusa
Sarcococca hookeriana Sarcococca hookeriana
Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis Sarcococca hookeriana
Sarcococca orientalis Sarcococca orientalis
Sarcococca ruscifolia Sarcococca ruscifolia
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cephalotaxus harringtonia Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Fastigiata' bark
Ilex vomitoria 'Nana' Ilex vomitoria 'Nana'
Buxus microphylla var. japonica Buxus microphylla var. japonica
Buxus sempervirens has some common insect problems:
Boxwood Leafminer

Common Box Buxus sempervirens

Other Common Name(s):

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

Evergreen shrub to 20', dense, multi-branched and oval-shaped. Drought tolerant; easy to transplant; protect from drying winds.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves opposite, apex acute to obtuse
  • Stems square/ winged with decurrent petioles
  • Leaves with white pubescence along midrib below
  • Leaves about 1" long and half as wide

Foliage green, malodorous; Grows a bit faster than B. microphylla and not quite as heat tolerant; can be used for topiary. 

CULTURE: Slow growth; pH adaptable; Prefers well-drained soils; Takes heavy pruning; sometimes has yellowish-green leaves; pest problems. 

 

Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#shrub#slow growing#topiary#hedges#cpp#fantz
 
Buxus sempervirens
Buxus sempervirens
Buxus sempervirens
Form
Buxus sempervirens
Flower close up Garten_TU_Darmstadt CC BY 2.0
Buxus sempervirens
Whole plant Leonora_Enking CC-BY-SA 2.0
Boxwood leafminer
Boxwood leafminer adult Matt Bertone
Boxwood leafminer
Boxwood leafminer damage
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#shrub#slow growing#topiary#hedges#cpp#fantz
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Buxus
    Species:
    sempervirens
    Family:
    Buxaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe to N. Iran, N. Africa
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Drought
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    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:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Non-showy, creamy yellow flowers in spring; fragrant. Apetalous (no petals).
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Orange
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Opposite, simple, lustrous, dark green leaves; 0.5-1 in. long; light green to yellowish-green below; may develop an orange-green cast in winter. Typically elliptic or ovate to oblong and twice as broad as long, rounded or notched apex; petiole fused to stem (decurrent) with white cottony midrib below.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Square and winged.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, convulsions, respiratory failure; contact with cell sap may cause skin irritation
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Steroidal alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves