Buxus sempervirens
An evergreen shrub or small tree with dense foliage and small leaves, widely used for hedges and topiary, tolerant of heavy pruning and adaptable to a wide range of soils and light conditions, with fragrant white-yellowish flower clusters and hardiness in zones 5–9.
Common Names
Common Box, Common Boxwood, Boxwood, European Box, American Boxwood, Box
Summary
Common boxwood is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia, with densely packed glossy dark green leaves and a compact habit; it is widely used for hedging and topiary, and in spring it bears small clusters of fragrant yellowish flowers.
It grows best in well-drained soil and tolerates sun to partial shade, adapting from acidic to alkaline conditions; regular watering and pruning to maintain form are recommended, and propagation is by cuttings (softwood, semi-hardwood, or hardwood); hardiness ranges to USDA zones 5–9, supporting use in borders, architectural shapes, and formal planting schemes.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3-26 ft 3 in
Spread
3-26 ft
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5-8
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to full shade; also tolerates partial sun and partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained, moist loamy soil
Soil Drainage
Moist, well-drained soil
Soil pH
6.5-7, slightly acidic to neutral, tolerates a wide range
Bloom Color
Insignificant
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
No fall color change.
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Slow-growing
Seasons of Interest
Spring
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees and other pollinators
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- L.
- Publication
- Sp. Pl. : 983 (1753)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Buxales
- Family
- Buxaceae
- Genus
- Buxus
Synonyms
Buxus angustifolia Buxus arborescens Buxus argentea Buxus aurea Buxus caucasica Buxus colchica Buxus crispa Buxus cucullata Buxus fruticosa Buxus hyrcana Buxus marginata Buxus mucronata Buxus myrtifolia Buxus rosmarinifolia Buxus salicifolia Buxus sempervirens var. angustifolia Buxus sempervirens var. arborescens Buxus sempervirens var. grandifolia Buxus sempervirens var. myrtifolia Buxus sempervirens var. rotundifolia Buxus sempervirens var. suffruticosa Buxus suffruticosa Buxus tenuifolia Buxus variegata Buxus vulgaris Buxus elegantissima Buxus handsworthii Buxus macrophylla Buxus sempervirens subsp. hyrcana Buxus sempervirens var. rosmarinifolium