How to take care of Buxus Plants

Buxus or boxwood is known for its wide variety of species. Highly popular in landscaping, Buxus is commonly preferred for making hedges. We’ve chosen one of its varieties, the Japanese Buxus, as part of our top 6 hedging plants. Buxus is a slow-growing evergreen shrub that typically grows up to 500 cm. This small tree is native to Southern Europe, Northern Africa and Southern Asia. As a hardy plant, Buxus thrive in open woodlands and rocky slopes, tolerating temperatures of at least 18°c. 

Buxus has small, deep green and glossy oval leaves that produce yellow flowers every spring or autumn. Its spread can grow up to 460 cm. With 70 known species, Buxus is classified into three genetically distinct sections according to regions: Eurasian species, African and Madagascan species (except northwest Africa) and American species. 

Popular Buxus varieties

Popular for its good hedging ability because of its compact habit, gardeners and landscapers enjoy clipping and shaping Buxus as decorative pieces in properties while at the same time performing its function as a hedge plant. 

Here are some of the popular types of Buxus: 

• Japanese Buxus
  Height: 122 cm
  Spread: 122 cmThe Japanese cultivars (Buxus microphylla var. Japonica) are drought tolerant and can withstand moderate to heavy snowfall. 
• Buxus Microphyll
  Height: 30 cm
  Spread: 62 cmThis Buxus cultivar has small leaves and the ability to resist pests and fungal diseases. Because of its cute size, it’s ideal to plant in small gardens or as a border plant. This is also used in bonsai projects.
• Faulkner
  Height: 122 cm
  Spread: 91 cmFaulkner is easy to grow and ideal to shape as orbs or cone formation for topiary.
• Korean cultivars
  Height: 61 cm
  Spread: 91 cm
  
  The Korean cultivars have colourful transitions every summer and winter. It’s green during the warmer months and becomes bronze during winter.
• Buxus Sempervirens
  Height: 122 cm
  Spread: 122 cm
  
  Also known as the common cultivar, Buxus Sempervirens can thrive for up to 100 years. The American and English cultivars belong under this variety. The American cultivar is more prominent while the English cultivar is a dwarf variety.

How to keep Buxus healthy?

Buxus is a low-maintenance shrub that’s easy to keep in your garden all year round. Caring for an Buxus is a beautiful and possible task as a result. Here are a few tips on how to take good care of Buxus plants:

Soil and Watering

Buxus grow in moist and well-drained loam soil. It needs watering regularly during the growing season. Don’t overwater but also don’t let the soil dry out completely. A nitrogen-based fertiliser is best to use for this hardy plant to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Feeding it during late autumn stimulates root growth. Repotting should take place every two to three years. 

Light

Placing Buxus in the full sun tends to dry the soil out completely, which should never be allowed to happen. This can cause leaf scorching. Position the Buxus in partial shade. While they can grow in arid and mild tropical climates, less watering is required to make sure that the soil is moist. 

Trimming and Pruning

Whether it’s used for hedging or topiary, Buxus should be pruned once a year to encourage new growth. This also prevents the plant from getting box blight, a Buxus disease that causes the browning of leaves caused by a fungus called Cylindrocladium buxicola. Trimming is required at least four times a year to keep the foliage neat. Because it’s a hardy plant, use an electric hedge trimmer or sharp hedging shears. Uneven trimming can lead to disease and pests.

Common problems

Here are common fungal diseases and pests that harm Buxus plants: 

• Buxus Blight
  As mentioned earlier, Buxus blight (or box blight) is a fungal disease that appears on the leaf. If you see black spots on the leaves and twigs, it’s a sign that your Buxus may be suffering from box blight. Use a specialised fungicide to help the plant heal from this fungal disease.
• Volutella Blight
  Volutella blight is a pale pink fungus that attacks the leaves, which will remain attached to the plant when it dies. This usually happens when the frost damages the leaves. Volutella can be found on the back side of the leaf.
• Spider Mite
  It’s a small spider that causes the silver-coloured stripes on the Buxus leaves.
• Box Tree Caterpillar
  These green caterpillars eat the leaves. Use a specialised insecticide to treat the plant. 

Spring Colours is a plant nursery located in Sydney’s Dural neighbourhood. With over 30 years of experience in garden landscaping and delivering high-quality plants to plant lovers at great prices, we are committed to making the world a greener place and adding new life to your home and garden.

Contact us to find out about our wholesale service delivery or visit our store in Dural to browse our collection of plants!