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.
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:
- Susanna Wesley Garden, Lake Junaluska Lake Wall Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Arborescens', 'Aureovariegata', 'Elegantissima', 'Fastigiata', 'Suffruticosa', 'Vardar Valley'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Arborescens', 'Aureovariegata', 'Elegantissima', 'Fastigiata', 'Suffruticosa', 'Vardar Valley'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- 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:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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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).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant 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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Square and winged.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
