| General Description | Somewhat loose and open in habit, usually twice as wide as it is high. |
| ID Characteristic | Open habit, leaves turn yellowish brown in winter. |
| Shape | Can be pruned to any shape but is otherwise loose and mounding. |
| Propagation | Propagate in mid-summer by taking semi-ripe cuttings from the current season's growth. Collect in the early morning using a sharp knife to cut pieces 10 - 15 cm in length. Remove all leaves from the lower third and pinch out any soft terminal growth. Dip into a number 2 rooting hormone, insert into trays or pots of cutting compost (50/50 mix of compost and sharp sand or perlite) and water well. Place in a propagator with bottom heat set at 15°C with or without mist; rooting should occur in 4 - 6 weeks. |
| Cultivation | Well drained soils, mulch with peat or leaf mold as roots require cool moist conditions. Plant in full sun or light shade and protect from drying winds. |
| Pests | Spider mites may be an occasional problem in hot summers.
As of late Boxwood blight has become a major problem both in Europe and most of North America. The fungus Cylindrocladium buxicola causes leaf spots, defoliation and even extensive die-back. The disease can be spread by water splash, tools and footwear and can survive for up to six years in the soil. It thrives in moist, humid environments but is killed when exposed to temperatures in excess of 33 °C for at least a week. The disease also affects Pachysandra, Sarocococca and Buxus balearica, sinica, macowanii, microphylla, bodinieri, glomerata, harlandii, sempervirens and riparia. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Small, solitary, sessile, ovoid with 1-2 pairs of visible scales. |
| Leaf Description | Opposite, simple, evergreen, obovate to lance-obovate .8 - 2.5 cm long |
| Flower Description | Apetalous, axillary or terminal clusters,not showy but quite fragrant and attractive to bees. |
| Fruit Description | Three celled capsule, each valve 2 horned, shiney black seeds. |
| Colour Description | Medium green in summer turning yellowish brown in winter. |
| Texture Description | Medium fine. |
