|
|
|
![]()
Buxus
|
 |
Buxus, better known as Box, is a very popular plant mainly used for hedging or pruning into pleasing geometric shapes. Possessing a long horticultural history, in ancient Japan and China, where many box varieties originate, the plant was widely used in the garden. The Romans were the first to clip this and other hedge plants into bizarre shapes like columns, pyramids, balls and animal shapes and this art was rediscovered in French Baroque and Italian Renaissance gardens. In gardens of the Baroque period, especially, Box was used for creating spectacularly intricate geometrical shapes, or 'parterres de broderie'. However, it is only recently, that Box has found a place in the modern garden. Today, shaped box and box hedges in particular, have become a firm favourite, able to be applied in even the smallest urban plot or, as a potted plant, on patios and balconies everywhere.
Out of the more than 80 species and hundreds of varieties, the 'Buxus sempervirens' is the best known. This is also the least slow growing, and a strong, hardy plant. The 'Buxus microphylla' is also widely available, but it is more sensitive to frost. Planted in the ground, box can grow up to 15 cm per year, although in this modern, busy world, this is often regarded as too slow. If you are not known for your patience, I would strongly advise you not to plant a 'sempervirens suffructicosa'. This plant is an extremely slow grower. Still, it really does pay off to be patient; a pretty shape, a small hedge or a miniature 'parterre de broderie' is a marvellous base for your garden. In addition to the shiny green small-leafed species, there is also the varigated box or large-leafed box. The easiest and most used box is the B.'sempervirens' and its cultivars, like B. sempervirens Haller, hollandia or Elegantissima (with pale green, white-rimmed leaves). All varieties take well to pruning and all can be expected to live to a ripe old age.
Box is very easy to please, having no particular needs in the way of soil or location. It likes the sun as well as the shade, but the leaves will colour slightly darker in the shade. It does better in loose, limy soil. So when you are about to plant, you could add some bonemeal as a base fertilizer. It is almost impossible to add too much lime to the soil or around the roots as, in its Mediterranean habitat, wild box only grows in limy soil.
If your box grow too slowly, if the rims of the leaves turn white or if the leaves loose their colour altogether, it is almost certainly due to lack of lime or fertilizer. Regular watering is also essential. Do be careful, however, not to over water potted box, as they do not like 'wet feet'.
|
|
|
|