Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens
A dense, evergreen shrub featuring small, opposite, dark green, oval-shaped leaves and a woody stem structure, commonly used for hedging and topiary.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Moderate watering needs. Water deeply and regularly when newly planted, then allow soil to dry slightly between waterings once established. Avoid waterlogged soils.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen shrub with a dense, branching habit, slow to moderate growth rate, reaching mature heights of 5 to 15 feet and spreads of 3 to 10 feet if unpruned.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, and apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Moderate watering needs. Water deeply and regularly when newly planted, then allow soil to dry slightly between waterings once established. Avoid waterlogged soils.
Soil
Prefers evenly moist, well-draining loamy or sandy soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH range between 6.5 and 7.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen shrub with a dense, branching habit, slow to moderate growth rate, reaching mature heights of 5 to 15 feet and spreads of 3 to 10 feet if unpruned.
Bloom season
Spring; produces inconspicuous, small, yellowish-green flowers clustered in the leaf axils without notable fragrance.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken in late summer or early autumn, treated with rooting hormone.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to boxwood blight, root rot in poorly drained soils, and pests such as boxwood leafminer and psyllids. Preventative pruning for air circulation and avoiding overhead watering helps.
Similar species
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata), which can be distinguished by its alternate leaf arrangement and small black berries compared to the opposite leaves of boxwoods.