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Shrubs

Buxus microphylla

small-leaved box

A slow-growing, dense, rounded to spreading shrub to 75cm high, with opposite, rounded to elliptic dark green leaves to 2cm long, that turn bronze in winter. Small yellow-green flowers are produced in the leaf axils in spring

Synonyms

Buxus japonica 'Nana'

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Buxaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Buxus can be evergreen shrubs or small trees, with simple, leathery, opposite leaves and clusters of small, pale yellow flowers followed by pale green to brown fruits
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any fertile, well-drained soil, preferably in light shade though will tolerate full sun; in dry soils this can lead to dull foliage and scorching. See box cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, or by grafting in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 8 (evergreens); trim hedges and edging plants in summer. Tolerates hard pruning; this is best done in spring, and followed by feeding and mulching

Pests

May be susceptible to box tree caterpillar, box sucker, mussel scale and red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to a leaf spot, box blight and, rarely, honey fungus

Get involved

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