Common Box, European Box (Buxus sempervirens)
The Common Box was the most important plant used for topiary hedges or living sculptures in the baroque period. It has become a favourite once again today, for it can easily be trimmed to any shape. The leaves are extremely poisonous.
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Appearance
The Common Box was the most important plant used for topiary hedges or living sculptures in the baroque period. It has become a favourite once again today, for it can easily be trimmed to any shape. The leaves are extremely poisonous.
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Leaves
Alternate evergreen leaves on short stalks, ovate to oblong-elliptical, cochlear arcuate edge, 1.5-3cm long, dark green above, paler below.
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Leaf upperside
Alternate evergreen leaves on short stalks, ovate to oblong-elliptical, cochlear arcuate edge, 1.5-3cm long, dark green above, paler below.
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Flowers
Flowering period III-IV , yellowish flowers in axillary clusters, 2mm long.
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Fruits
Obovate, 7-8mm long, crumpled-leathery appearance, ultimately turning black-brown.
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Bark
Pale brown bark broken up into sharply delineated patches. Branches are green or brown-grey.
Poisonousness
The leaves and fruit of the plant contain buxus alkaloids and are therefore toxic. There are no known reports of serious poisoning of humans.
Application
Hedges, public areas, parks, container plants, private parks, gardens, front gardens, verandas, wintergardens.
Native regions
Southwestern Europe
Location parameters
Undemanding, sunny or semi-shady conditions, tolerates watering with limy water.
Demands
Few demands, grows in the sun and half-shade, does not like waterlogged conditions. Humus-rich soil.
Growth
Height of growth: up to 6m high as tree, growth habits: spherical or slender crown, often multi-stemmed. Very dense bush.
Leaves
Alternate evergreen leaves on short stalks, ovate to oblong-elliptical, cochlear arcuate edge, 1.5-3cm long, dark green above, paler below.
Flowers
Flowering period III-IV , yellowish flowers in axillary clusters, 2mm long.
Fruits
Obovate, 7-8mm long, crumpled-leathery appearance, ultimately turning black-brown.
Bark
Pale brown bark broken up into sharply delineated patches. Branches are green or brown-grey.
Roots
Heart-rooting, deep-rooting; forms a dense network of branches, expansive.