Overview:
The Buxus sempervirens L. is a species of evergreen shrubs or small trees belonging to the family Buxaceae. It is an ornamental plant and commonly used for hedging and topiary due to its small leaves and dense growth.Origin:
The plant is native to certain parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is commonly found growing in woodlands, hedgerows, and rocky hillsides in regions such as the Mediterranean and Caucasus.Common Names:
The plant is commonly known as common box, European box, boxwood, or box tree. Its scientific name, Buxus sempervirens, is derived from the Latin words buxus, meaning boxwood, and sempervirens, meaning evergreen.Appearance:
The Buxus sempervirens L. is a slow-growing plant that can reach up to 20 feet tall, but is often kept much smaller through pruning. It has small, glossy, dark green leaves that are lance-shaped and range from 12 to 25mm in length. The plant produces small, yellow-green flowers that grow in clusters in the spring. Its bark is smooth and greyish-brown in color.Uses:
Boxwood is widely used for decorative purposes, such as for hedges and topiary. It can also be used as a specimen plant in a garden, or as a border plant alongside other perennials. In addition to its ornamental uses, boxwood has practical applications as well. It is known for its dense, hard wood, which is used in woodworking and carving. Historically, boxwood was also used for medicinal purposes, such as to treat gout and rheumatism.Growth Conditions of Buxus sempervirens L.
Buxus sempervirens L. is an evergreen shrub that belongs to the Buxaceae family. It is commonly known as the boxwood plant and is native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. It is a slow-growing plant with a dense and compact growth habit. The plant stays green throughout the year, making it a popular choice for hedges and topiaries.
Light Requirements
The boxwood plant prefers partial shade to full sun exposure. It grows well in a location that receives direct sunlight for a few hours a day. When planted in full shade, the plant may not thrive, resulting in sparse growth and fewer leaves. In contrast, too much sunlight can damage the leaves, causing them to turn yellow and brown.
Temperature Requirements
Buxus sempervirens L. grows well in a temperature range between 5 and 28 °C (41 and 82 °F). The plant can tolerate cold temperatures as low as -20 °C (-4 °F) but prefers a milder winter climate. High temperatures in summer can cause stress, leading to leaf burn, which causes the plant's leaves to turn yellow and die.
Soil and Water Requirements
For optimal growth, the boxwood plant requires well-drained soil. The soil pH should range between 6.0 and 8.0, and the soil should be rich in organic matter. The plant prefers moist soil and requires regular watering, especially during the summer months. Watering should be done deeply to promote an extensive root system. However, the soil should not be waterlogged as it can lead to root rot.
In summary, Buxus sempervirens L. requires partial shade to full sun exposure, temperature range between 5 and 28 °C (41 and 82 °F), well-drained soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 8.0 and rich in organic matter, and regular watering with deep watering during the summer months. Following these growth conditions will result in a healthy and attractive boxwood plant.
Cultivation Methods
Buxus sempervirens L. is cultivated through cuttings, which are typically taken from the plant in early summer. The cuttings should be placed in a well-draining substrate and kept moist until roots develop. The plant prefers a well-draining, acidic soil mixture and should not be subjected to heavy or compacted soils.
Watering Needs
Buxus sempervirens L. needs a moderate amount of water to thrive, especially during the growing season. The plant should be irrigated regularly, but not to the point where it is waterlogged. It is also important to avoid watering the plant during the evening as this can lead to fungal diseases.
Fertilization
Buxus sempervirens L. should be fertilized twice a year, in the spring and fall. A slow-release, balanced fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is ideal. It is important not to over-fertilize as this can lead to burnt or damaged foliage.
Pruning
Buxus sempervirens L. requires regular pruning to maintain its desired shape and size. The best time to prune is during the growing season, before the plant has hardened off for winter. The plant should be pruned with sharp shears to avoid damaging the foliage, and it is important to avoid pruning too aggressively as this can lead to damage and dieback.
Propagation of Buxus sempervirens L.
Buxus sempervirens L., commonly known as boxwood, is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub that has been cultivated for centuries as a hedge plant, topiary, and specimen plant. There are several methods of propagating Buxus sempervirens L., including seed propagation, cutting propagation, layering propagation, and micropropagation.
Seed Propagation
Buxus sempervirens L. can be propagated from seeds, although this method is less common than vegetative propagation methods. The seeds should be collected in fall or winter when the fruit capsule has turned brown. The seeds need to be stratified for several months to break their dormancy. After stratification, the seeds can be sown in a seed tray or directly in the field. Germination can take several months under ideal conditions.
Cutting Propagation
The most common method of propagating Buxus sempervirens L. is through stem cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is in late summer or early fall when the plant is actively growing. The cuttings should be taken from softwood or semi-hardwood shoots that have not yet become woody. Cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and should include at least one node. Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone and insert them into a rooting medium, such as vermiculite or perlite. After a few weeks, roots will form, and the new plants can be transplanted into containers or directly into the field.
Layering Propagation
Layering is a propagation method that involves bending a low branch of the parent plant down to the ground and holding it in place with a U-shaped wire or a piece of bent wire coat hanger. The portion of the branch that is under the soil will eventually root and can be separated from the parent plant and transplanted into a pot or directly into the field. Layering can be done anytime in the growing season, but early spring or late summer is best.
Micropropagation
Micropropagation, also known as tissue culture, is a propagation method that involves growing plant tissue in vitro, or in a controlled environment. Micropropagation is used to produce large numbers of uniform plants that are disease-free. The Buxus sempervirens L. tissue culture process involves taking a small sample from the parent plant, then growing it on a nutrient-rich gel under controlled conditions in a lab. After several months, the small plantlets are removed from the gel and transplanted into soilless media. After a few weeks, the new plants can be transplanted into containers or directly into the field.
Disease and Pest Management for Buxus sempervirens L.
Buxus sempervirens L., commonly known as common boxwood or European boxwood, is a popular ornamental plant due to its compact and dense growth habit. However, this plant is prone to several diseases and pests that can cause significant damage if not managed properly.
Common diseases affecting Buxus sempervirens L.
Boxwood blight: Boxwood blight is a fungal disease that causes the leaves to turn brown and fall off. It can also cause stem cankers and defoliation. To manage this disease, it is recommended to prune away infected areas, increase plant spacing for better air circulation, and apply fungicides in early summer.
Boxwood leafminer: Boxwood leafminer is a pest that causes yellow discoloration and blotching on the leaves. The larva of the leafminer burrows tunnels into leaves. Infested plants can experience severe leaf loss. Management of this pest can involve the application of insecticides in the spring.
Common pests affecting Buxus sempervirens L.
Boxwood mite: Boxwood mite is a tiny pest that feeds on the bottom surface of the leaves. Infested leaves turn yellow and can drop prematurely. To manage boxwood mites, it is suggested to apply appropriate acaricides and remove infested leaves.
Boxwood psyllid: Boxwood psyllid is a small insect that causes extensive damage through curling of leaves, resulting in stunted shoot growth. To manage this pest, it is recommended to apply insecticides before bud break during the spring.
Boxwood spider mite: Boxwood spider mite is another mite that feeds on the leaves, causing a stippled appearance. The leaves can turn yellow and drop during infestations. Management of this pest can involve the use of acaricides in the summer.
By following these disease and pest management strategies, it is possible to keep Buxus sempervirens L. healthy and attractive. Regular inspection and proactive measures can help prevent the spread of diseases and the infestation of pests.
