Buxus sempervirens
common boxwood, American boxwood

Notes:

Despite the common name, this species is not native to the Americas.

No longer guaranteed by local nurseries due to boxwood blight; only listed here because of its ubiquity. Not actually recommended for Sunset zone 37 (stops at 34 and 39), except for 'Vardar Valley'. Generally not as cold hardy or heat tolerant as B. microphylla and B. sinica var. insularis.

Intolerant of sandy soil (without irrigation) or dry heat. Not for massing or specimen use (except as a topiary?). Flower/foliage scent is divisive.

'Inglis', 'Northern Beauty', 'Northern Find', 'Northland', and 'Welleri' are recommended by UConn for use in New England due to superior cold hardiness without sacrificing form. 'Vardar Valley' is also notably hardy, as mentioned above.

Sources: UFL, Sunset, Stoecklein, Dirr, UConn, AHS.

Buy the species, 'Aureo-variegata', or 'Suffruticosa' (dwarf English boxwood) at PlantingTree.com (affiliate link; supports this website)

Tags:

acidic soil preferred
aromatic foliage
attracts:bees
deer resistant
dense canopy
dry shade tolerant
easy to grow
exposure:full shade
exposure:full sun
exposure:part shade
fine texture
form:multi-trunked
form:shrub
form:trainable to single trunk
form:tree
fragrant flowers
habit:mounding
habit:rounded
malodorous flowers
malodorous foliage
persistence:evergreen
pest/disease sensitive
rich soil preferred
root disturbance intolerant
roots:low damage potential
roots:shallow
salt intolerant
slow-growing
type:broadleaf
use:border
use:container
use:foundation
use:hedge
use:mass planting
use:screen
water:regular
wind tolerant


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