Boxwood Shrubs are classic additions to the garden

Boxwood (Buxus) shrubs can be found all over the world in gardens and commercial properties worldwide because they last with proper care, for many years. Because they are available in many different shapes and sizes, they are a favourite of specialist gardens who like to ply their hand at Topiary. Weird and wonderful shapes can be made from small box hedges, to animal characteristics like bears and birds. In fact you can use Boxwood shrubs so widely, its easy to see why they are so popular.

Known as "man's oldest garden ornamental plant”, ancient Egyptians used boxwood plants as early as 4,000 B.C. as decorative plants. They need proper planting and care, and in return your boxwood shrubs will thrive for many years to come. There are over 90 different species in boxwood trees and shrubs with some having dark green glossy leaves, others having variegated leaves some round, some more elliptical. No wonder they are so popular and there is a great variation in height with some only growing one foot high, others 20 feet.

Lets have a look at Species and Cultivars

American boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is a common species which includes another well-known variety, English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'), a dwarf form that only grows to 2 feet tall. There's Buxus microphylla which includes varieties of short, small-leaved, compact plants ideal for container topiaries and low small hedging in borders. If you want an extremely hardy variety, then Korean boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. koreana) can survive a wide range of temperatures. When winter takes hold Its foliage tends to turn bronze and chartreuse.

Planting and Care

Foe an easy to take care of plant, nurseries sell potted and bare-root boxwood shrubs or potted shrubs.  Propagation is also easy, say you need a small box hedge, you can take cuttings from your existing plants. The best time to plant boxwood which your new border edging or topiary is in the autumn. The new plants need well-drained, alkaline soil that contains organic matter growing in full sun and partial shade. For pruning and shaping, the best time to prune is in the winter but not if the weather is severe. In the summer, common pests that feed on boxwood foliage include mites called leafminers and psyllids, know as jumping plant lice. Don't worry too much about fungal and nematode diseases that attack boxwoods as these do not usually cause serious damage.

All in all, boxwood shrubs are such a useful plant in the garden and can give another dimension and clever natural art form in your landscape design as seen in the latest episode of Gardeners World on the BBC. Happy Gardening!