Buxus sempervirens
common box
A large, evergreen shrub or small tree to 5m tall, with glossy, dark green leaves to 3cm long, and small, yellowish flowers in clusters, produced in the leaf axils during spring
Size
Ultimate height
4鈥�8 metresTime to ultimate height
10鈥�20 yearsUltimate spread
4鈥�8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well鈥揹rained, 奥别濒濒鈥揹谤补颈苍别诲pH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
East鈥揻acing or South鈥揻acing or North鈥揻acing or 奥别蝉迟鈥揻补肠颈苍驳
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Buxaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Buxus can be evergreen shrubs or small trees, with simple, leathery, opposite leaves and clusters of small, pale yellow flowers followed by pale green to brown fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- SW Eurasia, N Africa
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows best in well-drained soil in partial shade; can be scorched by sun and strong winds in dry soils. Susceptible to a number of box problems, see box cultivation
Propagation
Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 8 in summer, renovation pruning can be carried out in late spring. Use mulch and a general fertiliser after hard pruning, ideal for topiary clipping
Pests
May be susceptible to box tree caterpillar, box sucker, mussel scale and red spider mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to a leaf spot, box blight and, rarely, honey fungus
Buxus sempervirens
common box
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