genus Buxus — Boxwood(Bux’us ) .
evergreen plant trees and bush , rule barbaric in the temperate parts of Europe and Asia , which belong to to the Box syndicate , Buxaceae . They are of neat habit of growing and have small , leathery leaves . The Box has no time value as a flowering bush because its blooms are small and dingy in color ; but turner and engravers make considerable use of the close - granulate compact and gruelling , yellowish wood , which is well recognise under the name of Box . genus Buxus is the ancient Latin name . These tree diagram and shrubs are also known by the common name of Boxwood .
Because of their liberal appearing and beautiful leaf , the common Box and the edging Box are greatly valued as garden ornamentals and are much planted in Virginia and other component of the upper South . In sheltered locations they are hardy as far north as southerly New York and southern New England . In such comparatively cold climates it is advisable to provide winter protection by building a ventilated wooden boxy structure over the George Walker Bush , or a frame of wood to which gunny is fastened . Exposure to unassailable wintertime sunshine or stale winds is especially likely to be harmful .
The various kinds of genus Buxus thrive in almost any good garden dirt , but are peculiarly utile for set on limestone footing . They are grown as small-scale trees , bushes , hedges , dwarf bordering for beds and paths , and for clipping for topiary employment . Their dandy value lies in the evergreen leave of absence which though sinister in color are not of depressing appearance . They thrive in fond shade and in Lord’s Day .
When to Plant and Prune . When grown as hedge or for topiary work , any necessary clipping is carry out during April or May . by nature grown plants require very little pruning ; but if any is needed it should be done in May . Planting is carried out in saltation or former fall .
When to Take Cuttings . In July , cuttings of short young shoot are dibbled in a bed of arenaceous soil in a cold frame , or in Mary Jane place out of threshold and cover with a bell shape jar , or plunged in a physique . Seeds are sow as soon as good in flat placed in a cold frame until germination direct place , while the dwarf border miscellanea is increased by division in late summer or spring .
For Clipped Trees or Topiary . The small - will kinds of the rough-cut Box , Buxus sempervirens , are proficient for utilisation as clipped tree or topiary . unseasoned , good for you , well - grown plants are chosen , and are first cut down into the close together outline of the object to be represented . Where object of dewy-eyed outline are hope , unvarying press clipping of the young shoot soon bring about the hope effect , but in the face of more ornate subjects , branch have to be clip and trained and sometimes the answer is not attain for many year . When such industrial plant are confined in vat or pots frequent feeding is necessary to keep them healthy .
The Common Box . Buxus sempervirens , the common Box , grows uncivilised through Europe into Asia . There are many form , some of soaked , erect habit , others with semipendent branches ; the latter are the most effective for garden decoration .
Of the many name salmagundi the best are elegantissima , with narrow leaves edged with white ; aurea pendula , with weeping branch and yellowed and cream - colored leaves ; Handsworthii , a dense bushy plant with prominent farewell ; myrtifolia , a dwarf form , about 2 foot . high , with lowly minute parting ; pendula , a small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , 15 - 20 foot . high , with weeping sprig ; rosmarinifolia , with narrow leaves ; and rotundifolia , with broadly oval leaf .
Box for Edging . B. sempervirens suffruticosa , the Edging Box , is naturally dwarf and is kept to a height of a few in by ceaseless clipping . See Box , Edging .
The Hardiest KindsAlthough not quite so liberal as the unwashed Box and its miscellanea , genus Buxus microphylla and its assortment are clearly hardier and better adapt for polish in cold climate .
B. microphylla is a bushy bush that attains a maximal pinnacle of about 3 foot . Its foliage is light in color than that of the common Box . B. microphylla variety japonica is hardy , grow to a height of about 6 ft . , is of looser branching habit and occurs in a number of distinct forms which in gardens are known under fussy names . For example there are : angustifolia , with narrow leave ; aurea , with yellowish leaves ; latifolia , with broader leaves ; and rotundifolia , with expectant , rounded , bluish - green parting . B. microphylla variety koreana grows about 2 ft . high , has downy shoots and is the hardiest variety .
For Warmer Climates . B. Harlandii , a native of China , differs from B. microphylla in have flossy shoots and in other small-scale feature . It is less hardy than B. microphylla and its varieties , but withstands warm summers better than either B. microphylla or B. sempervirens and so may be grown further south .
B. balearica , a indigen of the Balearic Islands and Spain , is a slow - growing kind which , under favorable consideration , attains the dimension of a little tree diagram . B. Wallichiana , from the Himalayas , grows to a height of about 30 foot . but is often much lower in finish . These two mintage are suitable for finish only in soft climates .
