About
Buxus sempervirens 'Variegata' is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree characterized by its rounded form and compact growth. Its foliage features bright green leaves with yellow edges that transition to cream or pale yellow as the season progresses.
About the genus
Buxus consists of evergreen shrubs or diminutive trees characterized by simple, leathery leaves arranged oppositely. These plants produce clusters of small, pale yellow blooms, which are succeeded by fruits that transition from pale green to brown.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
- Toxicity
- Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in any fertile, well-drained soil. Prefers light shade, full sun may result in dull or scorched foliage in dry soils. Water regularly while establishing. See box cultivation for more detailed advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 8 in summer, renovation pruning can be carried out in late spring. Use mulch and a general fertiliser after hard pruning
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to box tree caterpillar, box sucker, mussel scale and red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to a leaf spot, box blight and, rarely, honey fungus