Buxus Species, Common Boxwood, American Boxwood

Buxussempervirens

Genus
Buxus (BUK-sus)
Species
sempervirens (sem-per-VY-renz)
Synonym
Buxus angustifolia
Buxus arborescens
Buxus argentea
Buxus aurea
Buxus caucasica
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Smooth
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Pale Green
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From hardwood cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Bear, Delaware

Keystone Heights, Florida

Albany, Georgia

Laurel, Maryland

West River, Maryland

Lenox, Massachusetts

Uxbridge, Massachusetts

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Versailles, Missouri

Southampton, New York

Martins Creek, Pennsylvania

Watsontown, Pennsylvania

Mosheim, Tennessee

Newport News, Virginia

Roanoke, Virginia

Toano, Virginia

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
R
Downingtown, PA | July 2015 | neutral

I've never seen the straight species. It comes from southern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa; it is not American. I've seen the...Read More

M
M
Lenox, MA | May 2005 | positive

Buxus sempervirens grown fine for me in a protected spot - eastern exposure & protected by the house to the west. It will never grow as ...Read More

S
S
Fort Valley, GA | April 2004 | positive

Location, central GA. The boxwoods at the house we just bought were fairly large..several feet around with apparently very little care f...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

This slow growing evergreen is most commonly found as clipped hedging in formal gardens. Slow growing, it can reach height and width of ...Read More

Featured
Sachem Skipper
(Atalopedes campestris)
Orange Ground Thrush
(Zoothera gurneyi)
Featured
Sachem Skipper
(Atalopedes campestris)
Orange Ground Thrush
(Zoothera gurneyi)