Japanese Boxwood

Botanical Name:

Buxus microphylla var. japonica

Family:

Boxwood Family (Buxaceae)

Origin:

Europe and Asia

At Hearst Castle:

Japanese Boxwood are found all throughout the formal Castle beds. They are used as a low hedge that surrounds the esplanade. Another common use at the Castle are as a parterre, inside of planting beds.

Comments:

Boxwoods are grown for their small, neat, dense, long-lived growth habit. Ideal for training into topiary shaped, formal hedges and mazes. Prune throughout the year to maintain shape.

Description:

Evergreen leaves are _ -1 inch, round-tipped, bright green in the summer and brownish-bronze in cool winter areas. Grows slowly 4-6 feet tall and wide. Small flowers are greenish yellow and appear in small clusters in the leaf axils.