Rounded, dense-branched evergreen shrub native to southern Europe.
Grows up to 15-20 feet tall if left unpruned, but can be kept very short with minimal maintenance.
Leaves are opposite and elliptical, with a slightly blueish tint and shiny character. They may turn gray or orange in the autumn.
Leaves may cause nausea, vomiting, and convulsions if consumed.
Do well in most sun and soil conditions and is particularly resistant to drought.
Hardiness zone 5-8.
Susceptible to diseases including boxwood blight and leaf spot, as well as insects such as leafminer, boxwood mite and boxwood psyllid.
Sentimental and Symbolic Value
Since as far back as the days of Caesar Augustus the boxwood has been considered a plant which projects opulence, wealth, and power. As Rome became more architecturally impressive, shifting from "brick to marble", the box came in as a ornamental in elites' gardens. This reputation was bolstered by its use in Renaissance formal gardens and later in the colonial America on Southern tobacco plantations. All of this gave it the connotation of being a "rich man's hedge" which has an air of elitism.
The box represented immortality in Roman culture, with box twigs often being placed in coffins. The association with death persists today, as it is a common planting in graveyards.
It was sometimes used in place of palm branches for the Christian celebration of Palm Sunday in Medieval times, and it is also a common Christmas decoration.
Specimen photographed found on Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Part of the Urban Ornamental Plants assignment (10/27/2021)
Plant History and Etymology
Buxus is a Latin word of uncertain origin meaning "box", and sempervirens means "evergreen". The boxwood was first used in Egypt as an ornamental around borders and as a trimmed hedge as early as 4000 BC. Pliny the Elder in Naturalis Historia (77 AD) explored its utility as a display plant and a good material to make instruments. The plant's heavy, fine-grained wood has long been used in engraving, instruments, and other fine woodcarving works in the Mediterranean. It was first brought to the New World by the Dutch, who planted it on Long Island in New Netherland. The first documented American planting of it was on Shelter Island in 1652. Many people dislike its faint but foul smell.
Design Considerations
The boxwood is remarkably easy to care for, able to be molded to nearly any shape or size with trimming and pruning. As such it makes a great plant for a border, walkway, or formal garden. Grown taller, it can be used for screening and privacy along the edge of a property. Due to its evergreen nature and resistance to deer, rabbits and drought, it makes a great year-round planting in all environments. There are hundreds of cultivars to choose from which dictate color, shape and growth speed. Some common cultivars include B. sempervirens 'Elegantissima', which has a particularly rounded shape and 'Vardar Valley', a blue-leafed version which is more resistant to the leafminer.
Sources
“Buxus Sempervirens (American Boxwood, Boxwood, Common Box, Common Boxwood, European Box) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.” 2021. Ncsu.edu. 2021. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/buxus-sempervirens/.
Farrar Garden, William, Georgia Photo, and Farrar Boyce. n.d. “October 1982 Boxwood Bulletin a QUARTERLY DEVOTED to MAN’S OLDEST GARDEN ORNAMENTAL.” https://boxwoodsociety.org/uploads/22_2_1982_October.pdf.
“Boxwood | Wood | Britannica.” 2021. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/boxwood-wood.