Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens · Evergreen broadleaf shrub
Plant Family
Buxaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental hedge
Variety / Cultivar
Common Boxwood
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8
About This Tree
A dense, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a rounded or upright habit, slow growth rate, and fine-textured foliage that responds exceptionally well to shearing and pruning.
Leaf Characteristics
Small, opposite, simple, oval to elliptic leaves measuring about 0.5 to 1.5 inches long, glossy dark green above, paler underneath, with smooth margins
Bark Characteristics
Light gray-brown to pale gray bark, smooth on young stems, becoming slightly rough, furrowed, and corky on older branches and trunks
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 moist, well-drained soils and requires regular watering during dry spells, with moderate drought tolerance once established
Mature Size
Typically reaches 5 to 15 feet in height with a similar spread depending on pruning, growing at a slow rate with a lifespan of several decades to over a century
Special Characteristics
Highly tolerant of heavy pruning and shaping making it ideal for formal hedges, topiary, and border edging; moderately resistant to deer browsing
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides dense year-round nesting cover and shelter for small birds and beneficial insects, though foliage is generally avoided by herbivores due to toxic alkaloids