Buxus semp. sphere 3

BUXUS
If you are looking for a nice, evergreen plant that can be either trimmed to a desired shape or quite the contrary – left to its own devices, look no further.

Box is a plant with medium slow, dense growth. It is a reliable shrub with small, semi-glossy, dark green, ovate leaves. Unlike some other sports whose leaves turn brown in harsh frost, their colour remains green all year round.

It is ideal for shaping. Prune it to encourage branching and later in mid summer (for shaping). It can be used in a mixed border, or as a solo specimen (when shaped), or put in a terracotta pot on your patio.

Buxus sempervirens is the foundation of classical formal gardens and contemporary designs. We use it in pots, we trim it into shapes and we use it as hedges. It features on doorsteps, patios, in window-boxes and balconies. In fact it must be the most widely planted evergreen shrub.

Why is it so popular? Well, it tolerates shade, drought, urban pollution and tough growing conditions. It responds well to trimming and shaping, so when the range of plants available to gardeners was smaller than it is today it was an ideal subject to use to create designs. It has long been used for topiary, the knot garden and parterre throughout Europe, and further afield.

Care tips

Position: Sun, partial shade or shade.

Watering: Water regularly during growing season.

Hardiness: Fully hardy.

Pruning: Prune into shape in late spring/summer. …

Soil: Well-drained.

Feeding: During growing season top dress regularly with organic fertiliser or with slow release fertiliser granules.