Buxus sempervirens, also known as the common boxwood, is an evergreen shrub that has been used in landscaping for centuries. It is a hardy plant that is easy to care for and can be used in a variety of ways.
It is an excellent choice for hedges, topiary, and other garden features. Buxus sempervirens is also very tolerant of a wide range of conditions, making it a great choice for both experienced and novice gardeners. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of using Buxus sempervirens in the garden, how to care for it, and some creative design ideas.
So, if you’re looking for an attractive and low-maintenance plant to add to your garden, Buxus sempervirens is an ideal choice.
Benefits of growing buxus sempervirens
The buxus sempervirens, commonly known as common boxwood, is a well-known evergreen plant that many gardeners opt for when creating an attractive garden. With its ability to grow rapidly in almost any type of soil, and its dense root system, it provides a great addition to any backyard.
As well as being a staple choice for gardeners looking to create a beautiful green space, it boasts a range of benefits too. The buxus sempervirens is low maintenance and easy to shape, making it ideal for many types of gardening project. From a statement hedge that stands tall and trimmed, to a low, bushy shrub that gives a garden a more varied look, the buxus sempervirens can be tailored to fit any landscaping job.
What’s more, as an evergreen shrub, it requires very little pruning to keep it looking neat and tidy all year round. Despite its ability to grow in a range of soils, the buxus sempervirens is highly drought resistant and can survive even prolonged periods of dry weather. It’s also resistant to salt sprays and ozone pollution, making it a great outdoor plant.
This makes it the perfect choice for coastal gardens or those in cities or towns located in areas with high dust or pollution. Its dense foliage also makes it beneficial to wildlife, offering birds and small animals a protective shelter for nesting.
The range of benefits that the buxus sempervirens offers make it an attractive choice for any keen gardener looking to add a bit of green to their outdoor space. With its easy to maintain nature and tough resilience, it’s an ideal addition that can provide year-round colour and texture to any garden.
Tips for planting and caring for buxus sempervirens
If you’re looking to add a brilliant, evergreen presence to your garden, then buxus sempervirens, also known as boxwood or box, is the perfect choice. Buxus sempervirens is a slow growing evergreen shrub which is native to Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. It produces glossy and vibrant dark green foliage which can be used in a variety of ways.
When planting Buxus sempervirens, you should look for a spot in a sunny location, with well-draining soil. They grow well in acidic soils, and don’t have high nutrient requirements, so it should be easy for them to thrive.
When planting, you should use a mixture of soil, compost and manure to ensure that the soil stays well moist but doesn’t get waterlogged. It should be noted that Buxus sempervirens prefer moist soil, so if you’re planting in a dryer location you may need to implement a watering regime to ensure that the roots don’t become dry.
To care for Buxus sempervirens you should water regularly when there’s minimal or no rainfall. Make sure to give them an occasional feed of a balanced fertiliser. Once planted, you can prune the shrubs to achieve whatever desired shape you’d like.
As they keep their foliage in the winter too, they provide a bit of extra interest during the colder months of the year. They’re also a popular choice for creating hedges, and their tight and dense foliage makes it the perfect choice, although it must be noted that they won’t grow as fast as some other evergreens.
Overall, Buxus sempervirens is a great choice for a garden. With the correct planting and caring techniques, you can ensure your shrubs will thrive and provide your garden with a glorious and vibrant evergreen presence.
Common diseases and pests of buxus sempervirens
Buxus sempervirens is one of the most popular and widely planted hedging shrubs in UK gardens. It’s a hardy evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green foliage and small yellow flowers in the spring. As with any plant though, it’s susceptible to a range of common diseases and pests.
In terms of common diseases, Buxus sempervirens can suffer from powdery mildew, Phytophthora root rot, scales, honey fungus and leaf spot. Powdery mildew is a white, powdery coating caused by fungi which affects the new growth, reducing leaf size and causing leaves to fall prematurely.
It can be prevented by avoiding overcrowding and maintaining a good level of air circulation. Phytophthora root rot, caused by soils that are too waterlogged, can cause the bark to split and the leaves to turn yellow, eventually leading to the death of the shrub. It’s important to make sure the soil is well-drained and never waterlogged.
Scale, caused by small parasites which feast on plant sap, can appear as small bumps on the leaves, reducing the plant’s vigour. Regular pruning and horticultural oil sprays are effective controls.
Honey fungus is a very common problem in Buxus and other plants, causing the base of the stem to rot and dark strands around the roots. The affected plants should be removed and discarded with the destroyed part of the root system. Finally, leaf spot is a fungal disease which causes sunken patches with yellow borders on the leaves, which can later turn brown.
Keep the plant well pruned and mulched and make sure it’s not overwatered. In terms of common pests, whitefly, mealybugs, aphids, scale and thrips are all potential problems for Buxus sempervirens.
Whitefly, small white bugs which fly around when disturbed, can cause the foliage to yellow and eventually drop off. Mealybugs, small white bugs with a cottony scale, can cause the same problems. These can be spotted on the undersides of leaves where they feed on sap. Aphids are small green bugs which can cause the leaves to curl and blisters to form on the stems. Natural predators like ladybirds are good for insect control, as well as horticultural oil sprays. Scale, as mentioned, is a pest which sucks the sap from the plant and can cause damage if left unchecked. Finally, thrips are tiny black insects which feed on the flowers and leaves, reducing the vigour of the plant. These pests can be managed with regular applications of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil sprays. In conclusion, Buxus sempervirens is a widely planted hedging shrub which is susceptible to a range of common diseases and pests. These problems can be managed with regular pruning and mulching, suitable soil drainage, and the use of insect or fungicide controls as needed. With due diligence, you can keep your Buxus in good health for many years to come.
Conclusion
Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as boxwood, is an evergreen shrub that is popularly used for hedging and topiary work. It is easy to grow and maintain, and can be used to create a variety of shapes and sizes.
Boxwood is also very versatile and can be used in a variety of settings, from formal gardens to informal landscapes. It is also very tolerant of a wide range of soil types and climates, making it a great choice for gardeners of any level.
FAQ
What are the common uses of Buxus sempervirens?
Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as common box, is a popular evergreen shrub often used in landscaping and gardening. Common uses include hedging, topiary, edging, and foundation plantings. It is also used as a ground cover, in containers, and as a specimen plant.
What are the benefits of planting Buxus sempervirens?
The benefits of planting Buxus sempervirens include providing dense evergreen foliage, creating a formal hedge or border, providing a windbreak, and providing a habitat for wildlife.
How long does it take for Buxus sempervirens to reach maturity?
Buxus sempervirens typically takes 3-5 years to reach maturity.
What is the ideal climate for growing Buxus sempervirens?
The ideal climate for growing Buxus sempervirens is one with mild winters and cool summers, with temperatures ranging from -10°C to 25°C. It prefers full sun to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil.
What are the common pests and diseases of Buxus sempervirens?
Common pests and diseases of Buxus sempervirens include boxwood leafminer, boxwood mite, boxwood blight, and volutella blight.
How often should Buxus sempervirens be pruned?
Buxus sempervirens should be pruned twice a year, once in late winter and once in mid-summer.
