Buxus sempervirens (Common box)
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Beginner skill rating |
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8m max. spread |
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8m max. height |
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20-50 years to maturity |
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1 hour care per year |
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This plant is toxic! |
Botanical name: Buxus sempervirens
Other names: Common box
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Genus: Buxus
Species: B. sempervirens - B. sempervirens is a large, but slow-growing evergreen shrub. The small, glossy oval leaves form a dense mass, with inconspicuous, yellowish flowers in late spring.
Buxus sempervirens is: Evergreen
Flower: Insignificant or absent, Pale-yellow in Spring
Foliage: Dark-green in All seasons
Fruit: Pale-green in Summer
Habit: Compact
Toxicity: Ingestion may cause stomach upset; contact may irritate the skin.
Companion planting: Plant alone in pots or in groups.
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Watch out for
Specific pests: Red spider mite (box and other) , Box sucker , Mussel scale
Specific diseases: Box blights , Leaf spot
General care
Pruning: As an informal hedge, box requires little pruning. Be guided by the natural habit of this plant. Keep plants to the desired size by pruning back long shoots. Hedging plants and topiary can be cut back hard when young to encourage bushy growth.. REGISTER to read more...
Propagation methods: Semi-hardwood cuttings. REGISTER to read more...
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Buxus sempervirens (Common box) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 8m after 20-50 years.
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Suggested uses: Architectural, Banks and Slopes, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Foliage only, Garden edging, Ground Cover, Hedging/Screens, Instant, Mediterranean, Topiary
Cultivation: Plant in well-drained soil in partial shade. Avoid scorch by sun and strong winds. If using for topiary or hedging, plant young plants just below the nursery soil mark to encourage growth from the base.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) |  |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | |
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Box cones turning brown.
Question from
On our return from holiday in September, the 2 Box cones I have in pots had turned brown. I'm certain this was due to lack of water. I took them out of the pots and gave them a good soak but they didn't revive. Once they get to this state are they likely to recover and is there anything I can do to improve their chances? Jane
- Views: 98
- Replies: 1
- Posted: Sun. 11th November 2012 17:09
- Last reply: Tue. 13th November 2012 17:13
- Views: 318
- Replies: 1
- Posted: Sun. 23rd January 2011 15:15
- Last reply: Mon. 24th January 2011 19:42
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Gardens with this plant
Natasha Bondy
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