American Boxwood
From PlantWiki
| American Boxwood |
|---|
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| Species |
| Buxus |
History
American Boxwood was introduced to North America from Europe in the mid-1600s and soon became a popular plant in formal gardens and hedges.
American Boxwood can be found in parts of Asia, Africa, South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Madagascar. Some, like the European and Asian species, are tolerant to frost, and the others are sub-tropical or tropical.
Characteristics
American Boxwood, Buxus sempervirens, is a wide-spreading shrub or small tree with very dense evergreen foliage. The leaves are oblong to oval in shape, 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long and are broadest at or below the middle. Leaves are usually shiny, dark green on the upper surface and pale green on the lower surface. Flowers, borne in early spring, are pale green.
American Boxwood commonly grow 5 to 10 ft tall. Older shrubs may attain a height of 20 ft. This species and most of its cultivars are tolerant of cold weather. American Boxwoods will grow in full sun, but they prefer a partially shaded site. Fertile soil is not essential but the soil should be limed to a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. A well-drained soil is essential to avoid root disease problems. They should never be planted near downspouts, under the drip line of a tree, or in any area that stays wet.
The American Boxwood is easily the most versatile and useful Boxwood when it comes to creating outdoor plants. It is a slow-growing shrub that is evergreen. It grows very densely and can be very easily pruned into shape. During mid or late spring, you will see small, light yellow or cream blossoms appearing that are scented but are without petals.
Uses
Boxwood Shrubs can be used as individual plants, in hedge form to provide instant privacy, in foundation plantings, to separate, define, enclose, or screen areas; for homes and public buildings. This shrub can also provide background for other plantings, outline a terrace, parking area, flower border, or walkway and can be incorporated into a topiary garden as a framing hedge.