Common Box

Common Box (Buxus sempervirens) is a slow-growing, dense evergreen shrub or small tree, typically reaching 1–9 metres in height. It is widely used in formal gardens for hedging, topiary, and structured landscape design due to its compact growth and high tolerance for trimming. It produces small, glossy dark green leaves and has grey, fissured bark, with tiny greenish-yellow, strongly scented flowers appearing in spring (around April–May).

Key Characteristics:

• Leaves: Small, oval, leathery leaves arranged in opposite pairs, often with a slight notch at the tip, deep glossy green in colour.
• Stem: Young stems are green and slightly downy, becoming woody, squared, and grooved with age.
• Growth Habit: Very dense, compact, and slow-growing; easily shaped into hedges or formal topiary forms.
• Size: Generally reaches 1–9 metres if unpruned, but commonly maintained below 1 metre in hedging applications.
• Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soil, thrives in full sun to part shade, and is hardy.
• Maintenance: Highly tolerant of regular pruning, making it ideal for precise shaping and structured garden designs.