Common Boxwood

Buxus sempervirens
Buxaceae
Podcast script

Boxwood as a whole.	Boxwood Bark.
Common Boxwood leaf close up.	Common Boxwood flowers. http://oncampus.richmond.edu

Monocot or Dicot:

Angiospern, Dicot, evergreen

Size:

.Growth rate is fairly slow.
.Height can range from 15 to 20 ft.
.Width can range from 10 to 15 ft.
.Annual growth rate per year is less than 12 inches.

Identifying Features:

.Boxwoods take on a rounded form.
.Hardiness zone ranges from about a 6 to an 8.
.Commonly said to be a shrub or a small tree.
.Known as a dense but solid plant.
.It has an entire leaf margin.
.It is multi-stemmed.

Location/Habitat:

.They are usually present in northern landscapes.
.Boxwoods are not native to North America.
.Origin: Mediterranean region
.Distribution Map

Flower/Fruit/Reproduction:

.Has an irregular fruit shape.
.The fruit is usually about less the .5 inches big.
.It's fruit cover is dry and hard.
.The flower color is green; in the spring it has non-showy creamy yellow frangrant flowers.
.The characteristic of the flower is spring flowering.

Water/Sun Requirements:

.This plant grows partly both in the shade and the sun.
.The evergreen foliage needs to be protected from drying winds in winter.
.Must have cool and moist roots.
.It needs to be watered regularly.

Special Adaptations:

.Can be planted year around.
.Soil tolerances: slightly alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam
.It's tolerance to droughts are moderate.
.It's tolerance to soil salt is poor.

Other Info:

.Boxwoods are not affected by pests and usually have really good health.
.It is an easy to transplant.
.All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.
.Plant Diseases

Reference Sources/Links:

.http://web1.msue.msu.edu
.http://www.gardenguides.com
.http://landscaping.about.com
.http://www.backyardgardener.com
.http://oncampus.richmond.edu

CREATED BY RICHA S. 2007