Boxwood ShrubsA genus of about 70 species, boxwood shrubs are a flowering plant commonly grown as hedges or small and compact bushes. Landscapes, formal or non-formal would not be as attractive without the boxwood. The name is given due to its easy characteristic of keeping a box-type appearance. Nonetheless, when grown in the wild, the shrub can display a sprawling pattern. Not all varieties of this shrub can produce pretty flowers. Still, they are favored as privacy hedges or borders. Of all its varieties, four of them are well-known across the globe and bear the name of their native land—England, North America, Korea, and Japan. The English boxwood shrub, with B. sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’, as its scientific name, is the most common cultivar. Its native land was England, and was first cultivated in the 1700s in the United States; this cultivar can reach 3 feet at 1 inch per year. Its appearance is round, resembling a cloud; and classified as non-ornamental because its flowers are not stunning than other varieties. Considered an evergreen, it blooms in the spring. A common boxwood that grows up to 10 feet in height, the American Boxwood Also blooming in the spring, its flowers are small and pale green that are always overlooked. Its foliage, waxy, green and can grow at 1 ˝ inch in length, is the primary reason for its cultivation. Boxwood Shrub Types A type that grows in an open habit, the Korean type is disease-resistant. An explanation to this is the efficient circulation of light in appropriate amount that can reach the inner portions of the shrub. Although it is a winter hardy, its leaves may turn brown when season brings extremely low temperatures. It will resume to its normal green come spring. The leaf of Korean boxwood is oval-shaped that grows at ˝ inch length. It also has petite flowers which bloom in spring and sport green or yellow color. When planted in desirable condition, it can reach its maximum height to 4 feet. The Japanese Boxwood Its foliage is dark green and grows at 1 inch in length. Although considered an evergreen, its leaves may turn yellow or brown in cooler climates. The flowers, though not very attractive, bloom in April. Many gardeners grow the Japanese variety as a border. Similar Posts _________________________________________________________________ Top of Boxwood Shrubs Listed under Landscape Plants |
is also evergreen and tolerant of colder climate. For this characteristic, the American cultivar is a choice for cooler regions in the North. 
shrub was first introduced to the United States in 1890s, and has been considered to be an excellent and adaptable species since. Especially if grown in appropriate condition would the Japanese variety reach 8 feet in height.