Practical
Plants

Buxus microphylla

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Buxus genus in the family Buxaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Buxaceae
Genus
Buxus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
1 m
Spread
1.5 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Bees, Flies

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be grown as low hedges, they are very tolerant of pruning but are slow growing[6]. Wood - hard. Used in engraving[1].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Not known in a truly wild situation[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - stratification is not necessary but can lead to more regular germination[3]. The seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[4]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c but stored seed can take longer[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of short side shoots with a heel, September in a frame[7]. High percentage[10]. Rather slow to root[K]. Nodal cuttings in spring in a frame. Fairly easy[7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in almost any soil that is well-drained[2][7], tolerating light shade and chalky soils[1][5][7]. Tolerates a pH range from 5.5 to 7.4[7]. A very ornamental but slow-growing plant[1]. A polymorphic species[7], there are some named varieties developed for their ornamental value[5][7]. The foliage is pungently scented, especially when wet[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  8. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  9. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

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