Common Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens · Evergreen, Broadleaf Shrub
Plant Family
Buxaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental, Hedge, Foundation Shrub
Variety / Cultivar
Green Mountain or similar compact cultivar
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8
About This Tree
Dense, compact, rounded evergreen shrub with fine-textured foliage that responds exceptionally well to heavy pruning and shearing, making it a popular choice for formal hedges and topiary.
Leaf Characteristics
Small, opposite, simple leaves measuring about 0.5 to 1.5 inches long, oval to oblong in shape with entire margins and a glossy dark green upper surface.
Bark Characteristics
Light gray-brown to pale tan bark that becomes slightly rough and ridged on older stems and branches.
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 in late autumn and winter
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade; prefers consistently moist, well-draining soil with moderate watering needs once established, avoiding soggy conditions.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 3 to 8 feet in height and spread depending on the specific cultivar and pruning, with a slow to moderate growth rate.
Special Characteristics
Highly tolerant of heavy pruning, excellent for topiary and formal hedges, deer resistant, and maintains its rich green color year-round.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides dense nesting cover and shelter for small birds and beneficial insects, though its leaves are toxic to deer and most mammalian herbivores.