Buxus

The genus Boxwood (Buxus) includes about 70 species of evergreen trees and shrubs. Opposite leaves are elliptical to almost rounded, whole-edged, leathery, beautiful dark green color. Flowers are small, unisexual, inconspicuous, without petals, in axillary inflorescences, fragrant; they bloom in April. The fruit is a three-nest box with a spur, which cracks when ripe and scatters black shiny seeds. Boxwood evergreen (Buxus sempervirens) is a densely deciduous shrub or tree with shiny dark green ovate-oblong leaves, and the flowers are greenish, with yellow anthers, fragrant, collected in a brush. It grows very slowly. Decorative forms of this species with white-mottled or golden-mottled leaves: 'Silver' - with dark green leaves with a creamy white border; 'Handwortensis' grows straight at first, becomes spreading with age and is therefore widely used in hedges; 'Broad-leaved spotted' - compact with large leaves with a yellow pattern; 'Pyramidal' is ideal for giving it a geometric shape; 'Semi-shrub' is dwarf, ideal for fringing flower beds and paths. Small-leaved boxwood (B. microphylla) is a compact dwarf shrub species with narrow oblong leaves. Its decorative form 'Compact' is characterized by slow growth and very small leaves, is used in rock gardens and as a potted plant. Small-leaved Japanese boxwood (B. microphylla var. japonica) - spreading, with thick leathery leaves and tetrahedral twigs. Small-leaved Korean boxwood (B. microphylla var. coreana) is also a spreading shrub with dark green leaves with a bronze tint. Other species are less common, such as Balearic boxwood (B. balearica) with large bright green leaves; Harland boxwood (B. harlandii), a dwarf species with a domed shape, leaves oblong-lanceolate, bright green.

The genus Boxwood (Buxus) includes about 70 species of evergreen trees and shrubs. Opposite leaves are elliptical to almost rounded, whole-edged, leathery, beautiful dark green color. Flowers are small, unisexual, inconspicuous, without petals, in axillary inflorescences, fragrant; they bloom in April. The fruit is a three-nest box with a spur, which cracks when ripe and scatters black shiny seeds.

Boxwood evergreen (Buxus sempervirens) is a densely deciduous shrub or tree with shiny dark green ovate-oblong leaves, and the flowers are greenish, with yellow anthers, fragrant, collected in a brush. It grows very slowly. Decorative forms of this species with white-mottled or golden-mottled leaves: 'Silver' - with dark green leaves with a creamy white border; 'Handwortensis' grows straight at first, becomes spreading with age and is therefore widely used in hedges; 'Broad-leaved spotted' - compact with large leaves with a yellow pattern; 'Pyramidal' is ideal for giving it a geometric shape; 'Semi-shrub' is dwarf, ideal for fringing flower beds and paths.

Small-leaved boxwood (B. microphylla) is a compact dwarf shrub species with narrow oblong leaves. Its decorative form 'Compact' is characterized by slow growth and very small leaves, is used in rock gardens and as a potted plant.

Small-leaved Japanese boxwood (B. microphylla var. japonica) - spreading, with thick leathery leaves and tetrahedral twigs. Small-leaved Korean boxwood (B. microphylla var. coreana) is also a spreading shrub with dark green leaves with a bronze tint.

Other species are less common, such as Balearic boxwood (B. balearica) with large bright green leaves; Harland boxwood (B. harlandii), a dwarf species with a domed shape, leaves oblong-lanceolate, bright green.

Cultivation

Boxwood is grown outdoors in single plantings (often used in ornamental gardening), in borders and hedges. It can also be grown in pots: on balconies and terraces. Tolerates urban conditions well. Planted in a permanent place in September-October (in cold winters) or March-April. It does not impose special requirements on the soil. It is recommended to apply organic fertilizers at the rate of 5 kg/m2 when planting. In hedges, plants with a height of 30 cm are used, planting them at a distance of about 50 cm from each other. It is useful to prune young plants, which contributes to better branching. Potted plants are fertilized in the summer once every 15-20 days with complex fertilizers with irrigation water - 10 g per bucket. If possible, do not transplant to a new pot, because the plants suffer from this. It is sufficient to replace the surface layer of the earth when required. Pruning is necessary (even twice a year) not only for plants in hedges, but also for those used in ornamental gardening. Plants of natural origin the forms don't need any pruning at all.

Boxwood is grown outdoors in single plantings (often used in ornamental gardening), in borders and hedges. It can also be grown in pots: on balconies and terraces. Tolerates urban conditions well.

Planted in a permanent place in September-October (in cold winters) or March-April. It does not impose special requirements on the soil. It is recommended to apply organic fertilizers at the rate of 5 kg/m2 when planting. In hedges, plants with a height of 30 cm are used, planting them at a distance of about 50 cm from each other. It is useful to prune young plants, which contributes to better branching. Potted plants are fertilized in the summer once every 15-20 days with complex fertilizers with irrigation water - 10 g per bucket. If possible, do not transplant to a new pot, because the plants suffer from this. It is sufficient to replace the surface layer of the earth when required. Pruning is necessary (even twice a year) not only for plants in hedges, but also for those used in ornamental gardening. Plants of natural origin the forms don't need any pruning at all.

Location

They can be planted both in the open sun and in partial shade.

Temperature

These plants are resistant to fluctuations in air temperature.

Watering

It is necessary only during periods of prolonged drought, for young plants (immediately after planting in the ground), as well as for potted specimens.

Reproduction

Propagate by cuttings, less often-by seeds. The most common method is cuttings. In August-September, semi-woody cuttings about 10 cm long are taken and planted in peat and sand-based soil (1:1) in a closed, unheated room, maintaining high humidity. After the roots are formed, the cuttings are transplanted into pots one at a time. They are finally planted after 2 years.

Diseases

Psylla (especially dangerous for hedges) causes deformity of the leaves, slowing growth and the appearance of sticky waxy formations on the leaves and stems. The affected parts gradually turn red or dry out. You should delete them. Larvae of the beech gallica, developing in the tissues of the leaves, provoke the appearance of blisters, and then yellowing and falling of the foliage. Apply treatment with appropriate insecticides.

Acquisition

Boxwood seedlings are easily found in gardening centers and specialized nurseries. Buy plants that are grown in containers or at least with a lump of earth. Given the extremely slow growth of boxwood, try to evaluate and choose correctly: small plants that will take root more easily in the ground, or older ones that will take root worse, but their size is impressive.