Overview
Buxus is a bushy shrubs in the genus Buxus, part of the Buxaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Buxus grows best in full sun, partial shade and full shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, patio and container plants and hedging and screens. It is native to Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Assam, Austria, Bahamas, Baleares, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Borneo, Cape Provinces, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Colombia, Comoros, Corse, Cuba, Djibouti, DR Congo, East Himalaya, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Hainan, Haiti, Iran, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, KwaZulu-Natal, Laos, Lebanon-Syria, Leeward Is., Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Morocco, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, North Caucasus, Northern Provinces, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Panamá, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Sardegna, Sierra Leone, Socotra, Somalia, Spain, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Turks-Caicos Is., Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Himalaya and Windward Is..
About
Buxus, commonly known as box or boxwood, is a genus of evergreen shrubs or small trees with simple, leathery leaves arranged oppositely. This bushy plant produces clusters of small, pale yellow flowers followed by fruits that change from pale green to brown. It thrives in a variety of soil types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, and can grow in full sun, partial shade, or full shade. Suitable for hedging, screens, and container planting, Buxus is hardy in the UK (H6) and is well-suited to city gardens, wildlife areas, and informal settings.
About the genus
Buxus is a genus of about seventy species in the family Buxaceae. Common names include box and boxwood.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Buxus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade, Full shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Buxus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Patio and container plants, Hedging and screens
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Assam, Austria, Bahamas, Baleares, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Borneo, Cape Provinces, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Colombia, Comoros, Corse, Cuba, Djibouti, DR Congo, East Himalaya, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Hainan, Haiti, Iran, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, KwaZulu-Natal, Laos, Lebanon-Syria, Leeward Is., Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Morocco, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, North Caucasus, Northern Provinces, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Panamá, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Sardegna, Sierra Leone, Socotra, Somalia, Spain, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Turks-Caicos Is., Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Himalaya, Windward Is.
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Buxus
- Propagation
- Semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Box tree caterpillar, Box sucker, Mussel scale, Red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- Leaf spot, Box blight, Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Buxus?
Buxus prefers full sun, partial shade and full shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Buxus need?
Buxus is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Buxus hardy in the UK?
Buxus has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Buxus?
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
More in the Buxus genus
- Buxus microphylla 'Compacta'
- Buxus sinica var. insularis 'Winter Beauty'
- Buxus sempervirens clipped bird