Buxus Sempervirens or Common Box
History
Box has been used in English Gardens since the fifteenth century for hedging and decorative features.Knot gardens were constructed with box as edging and these became such a traditional feature that they are still being created today.
One historical use was that in the grand houses the servants would put the fine linen garments of the lords and ladys - to dry over the knot garden containing box, lavender and rosemary, so the expensive clothing would absorb the scents from the plants as they dried.
Uses.
Box is commonly used as edging and hedges.
Clipped into formal hedging it is an integral part of gardens such as Sissinghurst Castle gardens and Hidcote Manor gardens, where it is used to create a series of small outside rooms.
Another favourite use is to clip it into formal or fantastic topiary shapes and use the dwarf form as tiny threads that make up a knot garden.
Description
Buxus Sempervirens is an evergreen shrub that can grow to 15ft or 5 metres tall if left unclipped.
It has glossy scented leaves with tiny yellowy/green insignificant flowers that appear in spring.
There are several silver and gold tipped varieties.
Buxus Elegantissium has silver tips.
Buxus Latifolia Maculata has gold variegations and grows to six foot.
Buxus Handsworthensis has green leaves with a blue tone.
Buxus Suffruticosa is a dwarf form that has been used since the seventeenth century and is especially suited for use in a knot garden or grown in pots and containers.
Buxus microphylla – Green Pillow is another compact dwarf variety that grows to three foot or one metre.
Buxus microphylla -Curly Locks is yet another dwarf variety but this time with a lovely bronze tinge that develops in winter.
Cultivation
Box will grow in sun or semi-shade.
It must have well drained soil and given these is quite hardy and easy to grow.
You need to plan ahead if you want to create your own box ball or cone as it grows quite slowly taking four to five years to reach the size of a ball two feet across.
But you will be thrilled when it does!
Take cuttings in August and grow on in pots.
Next April or October plant these out in a special box bed/area of your garden that is kept free of weeds and remember to water in dry spells for the next eighteen months.
Do not clip until established at 2-3 years.
Clip in July or early August when the stems are still soft.
Don’t forget to give a slow release fertiliser at the end of winter.
It is very expensive to buy a large specimen of box so it is better to buy a small plant, let it grow on a bit and then take your own cuttings.
Enjoy your garden
