English Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens · Evergreen Broadleaf Shrub
Plant Family
Buxaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental Shrub
Variety / Cultivar
Suffruticosa
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8
About This Tree
Dense, slow-growing evergreen shrub with a naturally rounded or pyramidal form, commonly pruned into formal hedges or topiary shapes. Features extremely dense foliage and fine branching.
Leaf Characteristics
Small, opposite, simple leaves that are elliptic to oblong, glossy dark green above, paler underneath, with entire margins and a notched tip.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth, light gray-brown bark on young stems, becoming slightly rough and ridged with grayish-brown tones on older main stems.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Western and Southern Europe, Northwest Africa, and Southwest Asia
Growing Season
Evergreen with year-round foliage; small, inconspicuous flowers appear in spring
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers partial shade to full sun and moderate, regular moisture with well-draining soil; drought tolerant once established.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 3 to 5 feet in height and spread, with a very slow growth rate and a long lifespan exceeding 100 years.
Special Characteristics
Excellent tolerance to heavy pruning and shaping, deer resistant, highly valued for formal gardens and foundation plantings.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides dense nesting cover and shelter for small birds and insects, though foliage is toxic to deer and most mammalian herbivores.