Buxus sempervirens - Box

Common Box is a handsome native evergreen with a dense habit and small dark green oval leaves. It is most often seen as a closely clipped hedge, or trimmed into topiary shapes, but in woodlands, where it is allowed to grow freely, it makes a good small tree. It is valuable as one of the few native broad-leaved evergreens found in Britain.

Site and soil

Box does well on any well-drained soil, including acid sands and limestone, and is very tolerant of shade.

Height and spread

Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;

After 10 years: 2m x 1m
After 20 years: 3m x 2m

Leaf and bark

The small ovate leaves are dark green and glossy and notched at the tip. They are strongly scented. The bark is rough and greyish in colour.

Flower, seed and fruit

The small creamy-yellow flowers open in the leaf axils in April, male and female in the same cluster. The seed capsules are about 0.8cm long, with distinctive horns, and they ripen, split and fall from the tree in September.

Uses

Woodland, specimen tree, hedging, topiary. Although Common Box is generally used for tall hedges (around 2m) it can also be used for dwarf hedges to replace B.suffruticosa, which has been decimated by Box Blight. Common Box appears to have good resistance to the disease. The wood is very hard, dense and heavy and has been used for engraving blocks and the best mathematical instruments. The wood is yellow in colour and is much used in wood-turning. The boxwood used in marquetry and cabinet making is from the roots. Box has also been used medicinally, as a hair dye and to promote hair growth.

Wildlife

Pollen for insects, shelter and roost sites for birds.