Common Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens · Evergreen, Broadleaf Shrub
Plant Family
Buxaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental Shrub
Variety / Cultivar
Standard Buxus sempervirens
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9
About This Tree
A dense, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub featuring a rounded to upright oval form with a slow growth rate, commonly used for hedging, topiary, and foundation plantings.
Leaf Characteristics
Small, opposite, simple leaves that are elliptic to oblong, 0.5 to 1.5 inches long, glossy dark green above and paler yellowish-green below, with entire margins.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth, light gray to brown bark on young stems, becoming rough, furrowed, and corky on older stems and trunks.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Western and Southern Europe, Northwest Africa, and Southwest Asia
Growing Season
Evergreen with new growth appearing in spring; foliage remains green year-round.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Adapts well to full sun to full shade; requires moderate moisture and well-draining soil, with good drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 5 to 15 feet in height and width at maturity, though it is frequently pruned much smaller.
Special Characteristics
Highly tolerant of heavy pruning, shearing, and shaping; deer resistant, excellent for formal hedges and topiary.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides dense nesting cover and shelter for small birds and insects, though foliage is toxic to most browsing mammals.