Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Front, middle

Soil

Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Common box, Buxus sempervirens, is a vigorous, evergreen, bushy, upright shrub or small tree. It has small, rounded to oblong, glossy dark green leaves. Its dense habit makes it ideal for hedging or screening and it can be closely clipped into different shapes. It's an excellent plant to make into topiary, as you can leave a smart finish after trimming.

Grow Buxus sempervirens in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost and trim into shape from mid- to late-summer.

Bear in mind that in many parts of the UK, box is prone to two serious problems – box blight and box tree caterpillar.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyes
Take cuttingsyesyesyesyes

Buxus and wildlife

Buxus has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Buxus poisonous?

Buxus can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is known to attract Horses
Horses
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
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