What family is the boxwood in?
Box familyBox / FamilyThe Buxaceae are a small family of six genera and about 123 known species of flowering plants. They are shrubs and small trees, with a cosmopolitan distribution. A seventh genus, sometimes accepted in the past, has been shown by genetic studies to be included within Buxus. Wikipedia
What is boxwood shrub?
Boxwood shrubs are a genus of around 70 species of the family Buxaceae. They are slow growing evergreen shrub that is typically grown in warmer climates, but newer varieties can handle frost. Boxwood shrubs, otherwise known as Buxus or simply “boxes”, are most often used in landscaping as an edging component.
Are Buxus and boxwood the same?
The most commonly grown boxwoods are the common (or American) boxwood, Buxus sempervirens, and the English variety Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’. While many landscapers refer to boxwood as English or American, that is not really a true difference as the “American” species actually originated in England as well.
Why is it called boxwood?
Scientific Name: Buxus sempervirens – The generic name is from the Latin word buxis, which means box tree. The species name is from Latin semper, meaning “ever” and virens which is the present participle of the verb “to be green.” Sempervirent is an adjective in English meaning evergreen.
What are the different types of boxwood bushes?
Boxwood Shrubs – varieties & characteristics
- There are four basic varieties of boxwoods:
- American Boxwood.
- Japanese Boxwood.
- Small-Leaved Boxwood ~ (Buxus microphylla)
- Japanese Boxwood ~ (Buxus microphylla var.
- Common or American Boxwood ~ (Buxus sempervirens)
- Korean Boxwood ~ (Buxus sinica var.
Is box a tree or shrub?
box, In botany, an evergreen shrub or small tree (genus Buxus) of the box family (Buxaceae), best known for the ornamental and useful boxwoods. The family comprises seven genera of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, native to North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia.
Are boxwood shrubs evergreens?
One of the most versatile shrubs, boxwoods bring year-round color to the garden. Their evergreen foliage brightens dreary winter landscapes, provides structure to both formal and informal gardens, and can be shaped into tightly clipped geometric forms or whimsical shapes.
What is boxwood used for?
Common Uses: Boxwood is well-suited for carving and turning, and the tree’s diminutive size restricts it to smaller projects. Some common uses for Boxwood include: carvings, chess pieces, musical instruments (flutes, recorders, woodwinds, etc.), rulers, handles, turned objects, and other small specialty items.
Which boxwood is best?
If you want a small, compact, low-growing shrub to form a hedge that serves as an accent or border along your walkway, fence line or planting beds, dwarf boxwood varieties are the best pick. The “Dwarf English” boxwood (Buxus sempervirens “Suffruticosa”) creates a border hedge approximately 1 to 2 feet in height.
What is the most popular boxwood?
For centuries, the most popular cultivar grown has been the so-called English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens Suffruticosa), a slow-growing dwarf with small leaves.
What is the scientific name for boxwood tree?
Common Name(s): Boxwood Scientific Name: Buxus sempervirens Family Name (Scientific and Common): Buxacaea Continent of Origin: Europeand Asia Plant Growth Habit: Woody Shrub
How tall do boxwood shrubs grow?
Common boxwood, known for its attractive, billowing or cloudlike form, typically grows from 5 to 10 feet high but can reach heights of 20 to 30 feet. In 20 years, the narrow, upright “Graham Blandy” (B. sempervirens “Graham Blandy”) may grow up to 11 feet high.
What are some common dwarf boxwood varieties?
Dwarf Boxwood Varieties North Star Boxwood grows to only 2 or 2.5 feet tall and wide in sun or shade in zones 5 though 9. Baby Gem Boxwood grows to only 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide, a perfect size for an accent or border in a small garden. Wedding Ring Boxwood, a Korean variety with glossy foliage that has lime-colored edges.
What is boxwood Basil?
Boxwood Basil. The 12- to 16-inch-tall plant has small, aromatic leaves and, like all basil, grows best in full sun on fertile, well drained soil. It tolerates heat well. It can also be shaped into a topiary. Imagine a basil scented animal topiary in your garden. For more on this unique basil variety, go to: Burpee Seeds .