Boxwood

Info

Boxwood (Buxus) is a genus of about 70 species in the family Buxaceae. Boxwood are slow-growing evergreen shrubs and small trees, growing to 6-10 feet tall. The leaves are opposite, rounded to lanceolate, and leathery; they are small in most species, typically 1.5-5 cm long. The flowers are small and yellow-green, monoecious with both sexes present on a plant. The fruit is a small capsule 0.5-1.5 cm long, containing several small seeds.

Boxwood are commonly used for hedges and topiary. Due to the relatively high density of the wood (it is one of the few woods that is denser than water), boxwood is often used for chess pieces. Boxwood is also used for high quality violin and viola fittings (pegs and tailpiece), and formerly for wooden combs.

Varieties

  • Japanese

    Low-growing shrub. Small leaves are round tipped and bright green in the summer; brownish-bronze color in the fall and winter. Prefers partial to full sun. Mature height can reach up to 4 feet.

  • Wintergem

    Very cold hardy and densely branched shrub. Retains its green foliage through the winter making it an attractive landscaping hedge. Moderate grower. Prefers partial to full sun.

  • Wintergreen

    Upright, broad-leaf, evergreen shrub. Medium to dark green foliage. Moderate growth rate. Prefers partial sun to partial shade. Very compact, dense growth habit.

Care and Maintenance

  1. Preparing the Hole

    Dig the hole as deep as the root ball, and as much as three times as wide as the diameter of the root ball. Breaking up the soil around the tree provides the newly emerging roots room to grow into loose soil to hasten establishment.

  2. Placing Your Tree

    Place the tree carefully in the center of the hole after removing it from the container. The tree's root collar (the bulge right above the root system) should be just above the top of the soil. Don't dig the hole too deep. It is better if the root collar is slightly (1 to 2") higher than ground level because of possible setting.

  3. Filling the Hole

    Carefully fill the hole with soil when the tree is positioned and straight. Fill the hole about 1/3 full and lightly push the soil around the base of the root ball. Fill the remainder of the hole taking care to gently but firmly pack soil to eliminate air pockets that may cause the roots to dry out. Don't plant the tree too deep. Back fill the soil to the height just below the root collar.

  4. Mulching

    Place 2 to 4 inches of mulch in a 2 to 3 foot circle around the tree. Keep the mulch from touching the trunk to keep fungus from growing on the trunk. Mulch can be aged wood chips or bark. Mulch helps keep roots moist and insulates them, and prevents weed growth. It is not recommended to apply fertilizer at the time of planting.

  5. Watering

    Water the tree well as soon as you plant it. Water the tree at least once a week for the first year after planting. A slow, root-saturating, one-hour trickle once a week is recommended for a new tree. The watering schedule should be adjusted accordingly if it rains or is very dry.