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Buxus is a genus of over 70 species of evergreen shrubs, with native
habitats ranging from woodlands to rocky hills all over the world. Simple,
smooth edges glossy leaves, borne in opposite pairs. Small greenish or
yellowish flowers in spring are negligible, tight clusters of one female and
several males occurring in the leaf axils. Seed containing fruits are small,
'horned' and will burst later in the year.
Hardiness: Zone 6. Boxwoods are hardy down to just below freezing,
though additional protection would be needed in climates that regularly
stay below that level through the winter. Severe cold and winter winds can
cause yellowing and die back of the upper foliage, it will green back up
come spring. While boxwoods can be kept indoors if given adequate light, They do best when given a period of
dormancy in a cooler room in the winter. They do better outdoors however, and will grow even slower than usual
when kept indoors.
Light: Dappled sun or light shade- too much full, strong sun can cause leaf burn when grown in bonsai pots.
Soil: Pot in a free draining mix, as boxwoods like a lot of water but do not like to have continually soggy roots.
Watering: Water as needed during the growing season when the soil is almost try, but not dried out completely,
never allowing the roots to become water logged. Will tolerate some drought, but not recommended.
Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizer through the growing season, tapering off in late summer.
Pests and Diseases: Mites, scale and leafminers. Boxblight in Europe.
Repotting: Every 2 to 3 years. Boxwoods are tolerant to root pruning and repotting in all but the hottest of
summer weather. Repot in either spring or mid autumn for best results.
Pruning and Styling: In spring or summer, clean out the crown, allowing more air and light into the inner
branches, by removing unwanted secondary branches. Pinch or cut back new growth to one or two leaf pairs to
keep shape. Wire younger shoots, as once wood harden off completely they can be very brittle. Watch wiring
carefully, as the bark can be easily bruised and damaged, and remove before it cuts in. Multiple wirings may be
necessary, depending on the growth habits of the species. Kingsville, being particularly slow growers, may require
repeat wiring over three or more seasons to hold in position. They will respond well to partial defoliation, and
varieties with larger leaves or a lack of good ramifications can highly benefit from it. Do not trunk chop below the
lowest branch. Backbudding is not uncommon, but not usually without keeping some other foliage.
Propagation: Softwood cuttings in midsummer, 2-3 inches of current year's growth. Seeds.
Styles and Forms: Broom, multi-trunk, exposed root, root-over-rock
Species and Cultivars: B. microphylla Chinese Box, Japanese Box and Korean Box. 3/4 inch leaves, slightly thick and
rounded or notched at the tips.
'Compacta' dwarf cultivar with slow growth and dense foliage.
'Curly Locks' pale green leaves and twisted shoots. Spreading habit.
'Cushion' very dwarf cultivar with small round leaves.
'Faulkner' compact growth with red-brown stems and bright green, round leaves.
'Green Gem' Dwarf cultivar with narrow leaves.
"Green Pillow" Dwarf cultivar with a habit of growing no greater than 12 inches high. Crowded, small rounded
leaves.
'Kingsville" Kingsville boxwoods are a much sought after variety of boxwood. A relatively young variation, it was
developed by Henry Hohman, of Kingsville, Maryland just over 50 years ago. It's well known for it's compact
branch network, tiny leaves, and slow growing nature. It's bark takes on a mature look even in youth. Best when
pinching and pruning other than wiring, as the growth is very brittle. Leaves on a Kingsville are around 1/3 of an
inch in length and grow in opposite pairs. Very slow growing, they will put out as little as a quarter of an inch of
growth a year.
'Morris Midget' Low, spreading, mounding habit, no taller than 12 inches high. Slow growing.
'Winter Beauty' Even hardier than most boxwoods. Suitable for colder climates. Neat, fine textures yellowish green
foliage.
'Wintergreen' Remains green in winter, rather than taking on the bronze colouring more typical to the species.
S. sempervirens Common Box or English Box. Multi-stemmed shrubs or small, crooked trees in the landscape. Leaf
apex can be blunt, sharp or slightly notched. Greenish cream flower clusters appear in spring on branch tips.
'Argenteovariegata' Variegated cultivar. Compact habit, delicate grey-green leaves with narrow cream coloured
margins.
'Suffruticosa' Edging Box. Dwarf cultivar. Dense habit with smaller leaves that are broadest at the middle.
Other Information: It's been said that boxwoods will thrive indoors over the winter, but I personally have never
tried this. A period of dormancy seems a better choice with this particular tree, though it very well may survive to
be enjoyed indoors through the winter. Offer indoor boxwoods a period of cooler temperatures if you can, by
keeping them in an unheated, or cooler room in your home.
habitats ranging from woodlands to rocky hills all over the world. Simple,
smooth edges glossy leaves, borne in opposite pairs. Small greenish or
yellowish flowers in spring are negligible, tight clusters of one female and
several males occurring in the leaf axils. Seed containing fruits are small,
'horned' and will burst later in the year.
Hardiness: Zone 6. Boxwoods are hardy down to just below freezing,
though additional protection would be needed in climates that regularly
stay below that level through the winter. Severe cold and winter winds can
cause yellowing and die back of the upper foliage, it will green back up
come spring. While boxwoods can be kept indoors if given adequate light, They do best when given a period of
dormancy in a cooler room in the winter. They do better outdoors however, and will grow even slower than usual
when kept indoors.
Light: Dappled sun or light shade- too much full, strong sun can cause leaf burn when grown in bonsai pots.
Soil: Pot in a free draining mix, as boxwoods like a lot of water but do not like to have continually soggy roots.
Watering: Water as needed during the growing season when the soil is almost try, but not dried out completely,
never allowing the roots to become water logged. Will tolerate some drought, but not recommended.
Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizer through the growing season, tapering off in late summer.
Pests and Diseases: Mites, scale and leafminers. Boxblight in Europe.
Repotting: Every 2 to 3 years. Boxwoods are tolerant to root pruning and repotting in all but the hottest of
summer weather. Repot in either spring or mid autumn for best results.
Pruning and Styling: In spring or summer, clean out the crown, allowing more air and light into the inner
branches, by removing unwanted secondary branches. Pinch or cut back new growth to one or two leaf pairs to
keep shape. Wire younger shoots, as once wood harden off completely they can be very brittle. Watch wiring
carefully, as the bark can be easily bruised and damaged, and remove before it cuts in. Multiple wirings may be
necessary, depending on the growth habits of the species. Kingsville, being particularly slow growers, may require
repeat wiring over three or more seasons to hold in position. They will respond well to partial defoliation, and
varieties with larger leaves or a lack of good ramifications can highly benefit from it. Do not trunk chop below the
lowest branch. Backbudding is not uncommon, but not usually without keeping some other foliage.
Propagation: Softwood cuttings in midsummer, 2-3 inches of current year's growth. Seeds.
Styles and Forms: Broom, multi-trunk, exposed root, root-over-rock
Species and Cultivars: B. microphylla Chinese Box, Japanese Box and Korean Box. 3/4 inch leaves, slightly thick and
rounded or notched at the tips.
'Compacta' dwarf cultivar with slow growth and dense foliage.
'Curly Locks' pale green leaves and twisted shoots. Spreading habit.
'Cushion' very dwarf cultivar with small round leaves.
'Faulkner' compact growth with red-brown stems and bright green, round leaves.
'Green Gem' Dwarf cultivar with narrow leaves.
"Green Pillow" Dwarf cultivar with a habit of growing no greater than 12 inches high. Crowded, small rounded
leaves.
'Kingsville" Kingsville boxwoods are a much sought after variety of boxwood. A relatively young variation, it was
developed by Henry Hohman, of Kingsville, Maryland just over 50 years ago. It's well known for it's compact
branch network, tiny leaves, and slow growing nature. It's bark takes on a mature look even in youth. Best when
pinching and pruning other than wiring, as the growth is very brittle. Leaves on a Kingsville are around 1/3 of an
inch in length and grow in opposite pairs. Very slow growing, they will put out as little as a quarter of an inch of
growth a year.
'Morris Midget' Low, spreading, mounding habit, no taller than 12 inches high. Slow growing.
'Winter Beauty' Even hardier than most boxwoods. Suitable for colder climates. Neat, fine textures yellowish green
foliage.
'Wintergreen' Remains green in winter, rather than taking on the bronze colouring more typical to the species.
S. sempervirens Common Box or English Box. Multi-stemmed shrubs or small, crooked trees in the landscape. Leaf
apex can be blunt, sharp or slightly notched. Greenish cream flower clusters appear in spring on branch tips.
'Argenteovariegata' Variegated cultivar. Compact habit, delicate grey-green leaves with narrow cream coloured
margins.
'Suffruticosa' Edging Box. Dwarf cultivar. Dense habit with smaller leaves that are broadest at the middle.
Other Information: It's been said that boxwoods will thrive indoors over the winter, but I personally have never
tried this. A period of dormancy seems a better choice with this particular tree, though it very well may survive to
be enjoyed indoors through the winter. Offer indoor boxwoods a period of cooler temperatures if you can, by
keeping them in an unheated, or cooler room in your home.
Boxwoods (Buxus)
| 50 year old, field grown Kingsville Boxwood Tree from Golden Bonsai Nursery |
Dwarf English Boxwood
Kingsville Boxwood, nursery stock
Kingsville Boxwood, 50 yrs Field Grown
Tree from Golden Bonsai Nursery
Tree from Golden Bonsai Nursery
