Boxwood – Buxus sempervirens

Common Name: Boxwood, English Boxwood, Common Boxwood

Botanical Name: Buxus sempervirens, BUC-sus sem-per-VI-renz

Decorative Life: 14 days.

Availability: Year Round

Plants do very well when grown under partial shade but are quite susceptible to nematodes. Regardless, it is a very slow grower. Also, may exhibit winter burn when grown in northern climates and for that reason is often covered in the winter.

• Member of the Buxaceae (boxwood family).
• Native to Europe, N. Africa and Western Asia.
• Related species are Pachysandra and Sarcococca.

• Stiff, oval leaves, up to 1 inch long, occur on woody branches.
• Stems are cut to various lengths.
• Plant is an evergreen shrub, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined.
• May produce an odor that some may not like.

36-41F in water.

• The specific epithet name “sempervirens” means evergreen.
• Very common as a hedge in formal gardens.
• The most common color is green but there are many variegated types.
• Often found as border plants in old, formal garden settings associated with large estates.
• Sometimes may give off what some might describe as a somewhat unpleasant odor. However, this attribute should not hinder its use in the floral industry.