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skill rating
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Buxus sempervirens (Common box)
1 hour care
per year
per year
8m
Max height
Max height
8m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Buxus sempervirens
Other names
Common box
Genus
Buxus 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
Habit
Compact
Toxicity
Ingestion may cause stomach upset; contact may irritate the skin.
Flower
Pale-yellow, Insignificant or absent in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Red spider mite (box and other) , Box sucker , Mussel scale Red spider mite (box and other) , Box sucker , Mussel scale
Box blights , Leaf spot 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.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Buxus sempervirens (Common box) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 8m after 20-50 years.
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.
Soil type
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
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Plant alone in pots or in groups.
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Buxus sempervirens
Other names
Common box
Genus
Buxus 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.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Compact
Toxicity
Ingestion may cause stomach upset; contact may irritate the skin.
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Colour
Flower
Pale-yellow, Insignificant or absent in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Red spider mite (box and other) , Box sucker , Mussel scale
Specific diseases
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.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Buxus sempervirens (Common box) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 8m after 20-50 years.
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.
Soil type
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
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Buxus sempervirens (Common box)
Common pest name
box tree caterpillar; box tree pyralid
Scientific pest name
Cydalima perspectalis
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Present (Limited)
Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
Stakeholder organisations may be interested in monitoring spread and damage and investigate possible control measures.
Defra's Risk register #2
Plant name
Buxus sempervirens (Common box)
Common pest name
pink wax scale; red was scale; ruby wax scale
Scientific pest name
Ceroplastes rubens
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Based on its biology and low potential impact continued action on this pest in the UK would not be considered appropriate. It is likely to be of more concern to southern Member States of the EU; as it is an economic pest of citrus.
Defra's Risk register #3
Plant name
Buxus sempervirens (Common box)
Common pest name
Carpenter; worm
Scientific pest name
Prionoxystus robiniae
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Polyphagous North American moth pest; with wood-boring larvae. Import requirements related to other pests reduce the likelihood of introduction to the UK; but statutory action would be taken against any interceptions.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
Buxus hedge
Garden retreat St Neots project April 2018
Box Hedge
Box balls & squares - planting day 31.5.17
By front door
Early October (02/10/2010)
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
Plant alone in pots or in groups.
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Cydalima perspectalis
speed up
leaves yellowing
Box cones turning brown.
Common Box
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