The Different Types of Buxus Plants

We’ve explored how to take care of Buxus in our previous blog and briefly tackled its popular varieties. As a slow-growing evergreen hardy shrub, here are its characteristics:

• Buxus has 70 species
• It belongs to the family of Buxaceae
• Tropical or subtropical Buxus are native to southern Europe, south and southeast/west Asia, Africa, Madagascar, northernmost South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean
• It grows from 155 cm to 457 cm high 
• It prefers humus-rich loam but can also grow in other soil types

Let’s learn more about types of Buxus and Buxus varieties!

 

Here are some of the common varieties of Buxus

Buxus microphylla (Small-leaved Cultivars)

Popularly called Littleleaf Box or Littleleaf boxwood, this cultivar is native to Japan. It thrives in cool, moist and well-drained soil. The Buxus microphylla grows tall between 7 cm to 10 cm. It has tiny, rounded and leathery leaves. Examples from this cultivar are:

 

Compacta

Compacta is also known as Kingsville dwarf. This is commonly used as small border plants in the garden. It grows only at 1.27 cm each year.

 

Faulkner

Faulkner variety is easy to grow despite its slow-growing characteristics. It’s versatile and can be used as borders or planted in a bed or container. It grows up to 120 cm tall and 90 cm wide.

 

Japonica

Also known as Japanese boxwood, this type grows up to 198 cm. Japonica is popular as a topiary, hedge and foundation. 

 

Buxus sinica (Korean boxwood) 

The Korean boxwood is a cold-hardy type. It has dense, thick branches with evergreen leaves that are finely textured. It grows to a height of 5cm to 15 cm at maturity. Examples of this cultivar are:

 

Nana

Nana typically grows to 60 cm tall and 90 cm wide. It’s often used as a garden fence, foundation plants and low hedges.

 

Justin Brouwers

This type grows 60 cm in height and width. It’s small, compact and rounded. It’s low maintenance and doesn’t need regular pruning.

 

Sunburst

Sunburst is commonly used as an ornamental plant because of its small glossy leaves that turn dark green during winter. It’s a dwarf, conical shrub that grows 121 cm in height and width.

 

Buxus sempervirens

Buxus sempervirens are the common cultivars. They live for up to 100 years or more. This cultivar slowly grows from 457 cm to 609 cm, which can be used as an effective privacy hedge. Examples of this cultivar are: 

 

American cultivar

The American boxwood is a round, upright and large shrub. It’s popular as a privacy border or hedgerow. It blooms in spring and can grow up to 610 cm.

 

Dee Runk

Dee Runk grows in an upright and columnar fashion of up to 243 cm high. Its natural vertical habit makes it a perfect privacy hedge. It grows between 8 to 15 inches per year.

 

Blauer Heinz

Blauer Heinz grows up to 30-60 cm tall and wide. It’s a dwarf variety with blue-green foliage that has waxy white blooms.

 

 

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.

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