Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens
A dense, slow-growing evergreen shrub featuring small, opposite, leathery dark green leaves and a compact, branching habit that responds exceptionally well to shearing and shaping.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal density.
- Water
- Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Once established, water when the top two inches of soil feel dry, reducing frequency during cooler dormant months.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen shrub with a dense, rounded, or upright growth form. Mature height ranges from 3 to 15 feet with a similar spread depending on cultivar and pruning.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade with consistently moist, well-draining soil. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins, and mulch around the root zone to retain moisture and protect shallow roots.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal density.
Watering
Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Once established, water when the top two inches of soil feel dry, reducing frequency during cooler dormant months.
Soil
Prefers loamy or sandy, well-draining soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen shrub with a dense, rounded, or upright growth form. Mature height ranges from 3 to 15 feet with a similar spread depending on cultivar and pruning.
Bloom season
Spring; produces inconspicuous, small, yellowish-green flowers clustered in leaf axils without a prominent fragrance.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken in late summer or early autumn, treated with rooting hormone and placed in a high-humidity propagation medium.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to boxwood blight, root rot in poorly draining soils, and insect pests such as boxwood leafminer and boxwood psyllid. Prevent by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering.
Similar species
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata), which can be distinguished by its alternate leaf arrangement and small berry production compared to the opposite leaves of boxwood.