Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens · Evergreen, Broadleaf Shrub
Plant Family
Buxaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental, Hedge, Shrub
Variety / Cultivar
Suffruticosa (English Boxwood)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8
About This Tree
Dense, slow-growing, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a naturally rounded or mounded growth habit, heavily sheared into a low, compact, formal dome shape
Leaf Characteristics
Small, opposite, simple, oblong to elliptic leaves, dark green above and paler underneath, with smooth margins and a leathery texture
Bark Characteristics
Light gray to light brown, smooth on young stems, becoming slightly rough, furrowed, and corky with age
Growing Information
Origin Region
Western and Southern Europe, Northwest Africa, and Southwest Asia
Growing Season
Evergreen with active growth in spring and summer, slowing down during winter dormancy
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to full shade; requires moderate watering when young and establishes good drought tolerance, preferring well-draining soils
Mature Size
Typically 2 to 4 feet in height and spread when maintained as a low hedge, though unpruned species can reach 15 to 20 feet slowly
Special Characteristics
Exceptional tolerance to heavy pruning and shaping, making it a staple for topiary and formal hedges; resistant to most deer browsing due to toxic alkaloids
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides dense year-round shelter and nesting sites for small birds and beneficial insects, though its foliage is unpalatable to most herbivores