BCU - Earth
Garden Entrance
Plantepedia Index
Use the 'Back' button on your browser to return to previous page.
Contact B.Howe
Common Boxwood
What I know:
� Evergreen shrub with small leaves and compact growing habit.
� Well suited to pruning.
� Very slow growing.
� Likes its light. It can tolerate shade, but always grows toward the light. Even the shade from nearby plants can be enough to thin the growth of a boxwood hedge (learned this when I planted Sage in front of one hedge and had a nice sized hole grow into the hedge by fall).
� Easy to shape for year-round interest in beds.
� Birds use them as condominiums in the winter. The dense leaves at the edge offer protection from the elements and predators, while the crisscross of branches inside offer ample perch space. Entire flocks of finches and sparrows will disappear into my center hedge in the backyard, and by the end of the winter there are small openings around the hedge where they have most frequently entered and exited. These holes close up quickly when the growth starts.
� There are no berries, or flowers to speak of (at least none that I've seen)
� Very well suited to pleaching. Breaches in a hedge can be mended quickly, but it's slow growth rate means that it will be a long time before you see the results of more complex endeavours.
� Hardwood cuttings root easily when taken in spring/early summer.
Visitor Suggestions:(If you disagree with something on this page, have a different personal experience, better information, or other constructive criticism, we would all love to hear about it. I will post all appropriate comments on the page to share with all the viewers. Please cite sources wherever available. Thank you, Brett)
Disclaimer: The information and comments on this page are presented with the hopes that it may help you on your own search for details. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide. We encourage you, for your garden's sake, to get a second AND third opinion before believing anything on my site.
Brett