How to grow Boxwood

Buxus sempervirens

Given time (decades) Buxus will grow into a small tree, but today it is more usually clipped into a hedge or used in decorative topiary.
They respond well to clipping and break readily from old wood.
Old or snow damaged plants will make vigorous new growth if cut back to 15 to 30 cm of the ground, cutting back any branches that may have layered them selves naturally into the ground
Today in Europe Box is suffering extensively from box blight, this disease causes unsightly dieback on decades and centuries of carefully tended hedges and topiary.
Clip to shape in mid to late summer but reforming should be done in the spring

Growing Boxwood from seed

Box can be grown from seed, and needs a short period of cold to germinate.but the plants are slow growing and it may take four or five years to grow to planting out size.
It is easier and quicker to take semi ripe cuttings in the late summer to autumn. Use a free draining mixture and give protection of a cold frame to speed up the rooting process.
Pinch out the tips to encourage bushy growth, as box is slow growing, it may take three or four seasons to achieve planting out size. During this time it is easier to grow them on in a nursery bed, rather than pots, as a potted plant is always more hard work with regard to watering and feeding

Transplanting Boxwood

Transplant into growing position as bare root plants in the autumn.
Container grown specimens can be planted out at any time of year, but watering must be carefully attended to, particularly during the first growing season

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Boxwood is a hardy plant.

Seed Saving Boxwood

Seeds are a small woody green capsule, collect before it splits in late summer or early autumn

How long does Boxwood take to grow?

These estimates for how long Boxwood takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

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Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Boxwood?
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Days to Maturity How long until Boxwood is ready for harvest / bloom?
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Boxwood Etymology

The botanical epithet is from the Latin sempervirens meaning “evergreen” The botanical epithet is from the Latin virens meaning “green”

Boxwood Folklore & Trivia

Rabbits are supposed to dislike the smell of box
The wood is smooth, yellow and close grained ideal to be used for block engraving

Other names for Boxwood

Common box, Box

Buxus sempervirens L.

Misspellings: Buxus sempevirens

Footnotes


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