Korean Boxwood Buxus sinica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Buxus microphylla subsp. sinica
- Buxus microphylla var. koreana
- Phonetic Spelling
- BUK-sus SIN-ih-kah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Korean boxwood is a broadleaf evergreen shrub in the Buxaceae (boxwood) family and native to China and Taiwan. 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.
It can be grown in average garden soil with medium moisture and good drainage in full to partial sun. Its preference is for moist, sandy loam with slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH in partial sun. In colder winters, the leaves may turn bronzy. The variety 'Wintergreen' has improved winter color for northern climates.
Korean boxwood can be pruned as a privacy screen, used as a border plant or in a rock garden, and even grows well in containers.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Blight and leaf spots are occasional foliar diseases. Root rot can be a problem in poorly drained soils.
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 Elisabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- var. insularis
Hardier - var. insularis 'Justin Brouwers'
Green throughout the winter - var. insularis 'Nana'
Low growing - var. insularis 'Sunburst'
variegated foliage - var. insularis 'Wintergreen'
Maintains better winter color
- var. insularis
- var. insularis, var. insularis 'Justin Brouwers', var. insularis 'Nana', var. insularis 'Sunburst', var. insularis 'Wintergreen'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- var. insularis
Hardier - var. insularis 'Justin Brouwers'
Green throughout the winter - var. insularis 'Nana'
Low growing - var. insularis 'Sunburst'
variegated foliage - var. insularis 'Wintergreen'
Maintains better winter color
- var. insularis
- var. insularis, var. insularis 'Justin Brouwers', var. insularis 'Nana', var. insularis 'Sunburst', var. insularis 'Wintergreen'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Buxus
- Species:
- sinica
- Family:
- Buxaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Taiwan
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- 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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Insignificant greenish-yellow separate male and female flowers in spring
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Bright green lustrous oblong leaves 1 1/2" long
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Square stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- English Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
