Shrub
Common Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens
Features
Evergreen leaves
Culture
Full sun to partial shade; mulch to keep root system cool and moist; does well in alkaline soils; the evergreen foliage needs to be protected from drying winds in winter.
Cultivars
- 'Suffruiticosa' - Compact, slow growing, 3-4 feet tall
Hybrids between Buxus microphylla var. koreana and Buxus sempervirens:
- 'Glencoe' (Chicagoland Green®)- Maintains good color in winter, 2-3 feet tall.
- 'Green Gem' - Maintains good color in winter, mounded habit; 2 feet tall.
- 'Green Mountain' -Foliage turns bronze in winter, habit is more upright than other hybrids.
- 'Green Mound' - Mounded habit, 3 feet tall.
- 'Green Velvet' - Rounded habit, 4 feet tall.
Mature Height
15-20 Feet
(Some cultivars smaller)
Size
Small
Medium
Large
Mature Width
15-20 Feet
(Some cultivars smaller)
Mature Form
Rounded to broad rounded; evergreen.
Native To:
Southern Europe, Asia and Africa
USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
Soil Conditions
Moist, Well-Drained
Tolerance
Alkaline Soil
Exposure/Light Requirements
Full Sun
Partial Sun/Shade
Uses
Hedge
Screen
Specimen
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Pests and Problems
Environmental Damage
Fungal Disease
Insect Damage
Insect Relative Damage
Additional pests and problems that may affect this plant:
Canker, leaf blight, leaf spot, mites, scale, leaf miners, mealy bugs and webworms are possible problems.
Success in growing boxwood in zone 5 depends on careful selection of winter hardy cultivars; winter injury and sun scald are common injuries seen on this evergreen shrub.
Additional Notes
Related Resources
Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
The Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook (ICLT) is written for professional applicators and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations as well as application timing information for all major pests of turf, woody ornamentals and herbaceous ornamentals. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "ICLT").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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