Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)

Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood) Details

Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as Boxwood or Box Hedge, is commonly used in English and formal gardens as a low hedge. This evergreen produces masses of small, dark green leaves which are held densely on short stems. Left untrimmed it will eventually grow to 1 m tall and the same wide but is often trimmed into a hedge about 30-75 cm tall. In NZ it performs best when planted in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained, semi-sheltered site. Boxwood plants are tolerant of frost, cool climates, coastal environments, and most soil types, except the extremes of wet and dry. Buxus sempervirens is commonly trimmed into a small hedge for borders, used for topiary, or maintained in a container. Box hedges are a fantastic feature in high-end gardens across NZ. The ideal spacing for a Buxus sempervirens hedge in NZ is 20 cm apart.