Common Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BUK-sus sem-per-VEE-renz
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
The species specific epithet means always green. The American Boxwood is a broadly rounded, multi-branched evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 15'-20' tall at maturity though it can be kept much shorter through pruning. The dense foliage has leaves that are a glossy dark green on top with a yellow green underside.
The American Boxwood is considered a low maintenance plant. It is shallow-rooted and adapts to a wide range of light and soil conditions. Avoid planting too deeply or in soils that are not well-drained. Add a few inches of mulch to protect the shallow roots from getting dry and hot. Protect from winds and full winter sun by placing in a location where these conditions are limited. Winter winds and full sun can cause dehydration and bronzing. Remove any accumulated snow to protect the branches. Thinning plants annually will assist with light and air circulation.
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 and less troubled by insects than B. microphylla but 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:
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- 'Angustifolia'
Larges leaves, tree like habit
'Arborescens'
- 'Dee Runk'
Narrow, conical form; up to 8' tall 2.5' wide
'Elegantissima'
- 'Fastigiata'
Conical form; up to 8' tall and 3' wide - 'Highlander'
Fast growing upright conical form
'Suffruticosa'
Lustrous dark green leaves 'Aureovariegata'
Variegated leaves
Upright oval form; white leaf margins; 2.5' tall
Dense, compact, slow growing, leaves fragrant, considered to be least tolerant to box leaf miners. 'Vardar Valley'
Bluish hue leaves, 2'-3' tall; resistant to leafminer - 'Angustifolia'
- 'Angustifolia', 'Arborescens', 'Aureovariegata', 'Dee Runk', 'Elegantissima', 'Fastigiata', 'Highlander', 'Suffruticosa', 'Vardar Valley'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Angustifolia'
Larges leaves, tree like habit
'Arborescens'
- 'Dee Runk'
Narrow, conical form; up to 8' tall 2.5' wide
'Elegantissima'
- 'Fastigiata'
Conical form; up to 8' tall and 3' wide - 'Highlander'
Fast growing upright conical form
'Suffruticosa'
Lustrous dark green leaves 'Aureovariegata'
Variegated leaves
Upright oval form; white leaf margins; 2.5' tall
Dense, compact, slow growing, leaves fragrant, considered to be least tolerant to box leaf miners. 'Vardar Valley'
Bluish hue leaves, 2'-3' tall; resistant to leafminer - 'Angustifolia'
- 'Angustifolia', 'Arborescens', 'Aureovariegata', 'Dee Runk', 'Elegantissima', 'Fastigiata', 'Highlander', 'Suffruticosa', 'Vardar Valley'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Buxus
- Species:
- sempervirens
- Family:
- Buxaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- 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:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- 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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Globose, 1/3 inch dehiscent capsule that matures to brown.
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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:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Orange
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- 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:
- Opposite, simple, lustrous, light blue to blue-gray leaves; 0.5-1.5 in. long; light green to yellowish-green below; may develop an orange-green cast in winter. Salt spray in winter worsens foliage discoloration. 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 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:
- Container
- Lawn
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
