Box, Common box, American Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens
Family: Buxaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.
Buxus sempervirens is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 5
Where it is found
Beechwood and scrub, usually on chalk and limestone.
Europe, including Britain, south and east from France and Germany to N. Africa and Albania.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The leaves have been used in France as a substitute for hops (Humulus lupulus) in making beer. They cannot be very wholesome, and would probably prove to be injurious.
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Medicine
Rating: 2
Although it has been used medicinally in the past as a sedative and to treat syphilis, box is very rarely used in modern herbalism. The leaves and the bark are alterative, antirheumatic, cathartic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, febrifuge, oxytocic and vermifuge. The leaves have been used as a quinine substitute in the treatment of malaria. The leaves are harvested in the spring, before the plant comes into flower, and they are dried for later use. The bark can be harvested at any time of the year and is dried for use in decoctions. Use this remedy with caution and preferably only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The plant has not been fully tested for its toxic side effects. The wood is diaphoretic, in full dose it is narcotic and sedative, in overdose it is convulsant and emetico-cathartic. A tincture of the wood has been used as a bitter tonic and antiperiodic, it has also had a reputation for curing leprosy. A volatile oil distilled from the wood has been prescribed in cases of epilepsy. An essential oil obtained from the plant is used in dentistry. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is extensively used in the treatment of rheumatism.
Alterative: Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
Antiperiodic: Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.
Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.
Cathartic: A strong laxative but less violent than a purgative.
Cholagogue: Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.
Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.
Epilepsy: Used in the treatment of Epilepsy - a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Homeopathy: A plant used in homeopathic treatments.
Leprosy: Used to treat leprosy - a chronic bacterial infection of the skin and superficial nerves (in the skin) caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
Malaria: Treats malaria - an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites spread to people through the bites of mosquitos.
Narcotic: Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.
Odontalgic: Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.
Oxytoxic: Hastens parturition and stimulates uterine contractions. See also birthing aids.
Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.
Other
Rating: 3
Box makes an excellent hedge from 45cm to 4.5 metres tall according to the variety grown. It is quite slow growing but very tolerant of cutting and is often used in topiary, where the hedge is trimmed into different forms for ornamental effect. The leaves and sawdust, boiled in lye, have been used to dye hair an auburn colour. Wood - hard, close grained, heavy. Although the wood is rather small, it is highly valued on account of its hardness - it is twice as hard as oak (Quercus species). It is used for engraving, printing blocks, bowls, combs etc. The root especially is much liked by turners and cabinet makers.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
Hedge: Hedge
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Container, Foundation, Screen, Woodland garden. Succeeds in almost any soil that is well-drained, preferring light shade and chalky soils. Succeeds in dry shade. Tolerates a pH range from 5.5 to 7.4. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -23°c, though it prefers milder winters. A very polymorphic species, it is a very ornamental but slow growing plant and there are many named varieties developed for their ornamental value. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. A good bee plant. Plants are very tolerant of being trimmed, they can be cut right back to the base if required and will usually resprout freely. The foliage is pungently scented, especially when wet. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - stratification is not necessary but can lead to more regular germination. The seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c but stored seed can take longer. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of short side shoots with a heel, September in a frame. High percentage. Rather slow to root. Nodal cuttings in spring in a frame. Fairly easy.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 6-8
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the leaves and bark.