Common Box
Buxus sempervirens
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Corse, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Libya, Morocco, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Portugal, Sardegna, Spain, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe
Photo (c)2007 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man (en.wikipedia.org) )
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Buxaceae
- Genus:
- Buxus
- Species:
- Buxus sempervirens
- USDA Symbol:
- BUSE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 450 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- green, yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to limestone areas, prefers calcareous soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Germination is slow and erratic. Seeds require cold stratification and may take several months to germinate. Fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI