Woody > Buxus > Buxus 'Green Velvet'
Buxus
'Green Velvet'
Green Velvet Boxwood
Origin: A hybrid between B. sinica var. insularis and B. sempervirens, introduced by Sheridan Nurseries, Glen Williams, Ontario, Canada. Awarded a Plant of Merit by the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Mike's
Opinion
"
An excellent plant for the garden both as a hedge and as a winter foil. Its dull, velvet looking leaves add a richness and texture to the garden that so few other plants are able to achieve. It can be clipped, both tightly and loosely depending on the circumstances. I prefer this treatment for the plant as it helps Green Velvet withstand the winter snows that can crush a loose branched specimen.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Buxaceae |
| Genus |
| Buxus |
| Cultivar |
| 'Green Velvet' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 4 - 6a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -23 - (-29) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -20 - (-10) |
| Height |
| 1.5 m |
| Spread |
| 1 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| A rounded, full bodied shrub. |
| Landscape |
| Hedges, either clipped or unclipped. Massing or as in the picture, a specimen or focal point in a formal garden. Suited to partial shade and hence I often use it as an evergreen foil in the shade garden. |
| Cultivation |
| Easy to grow on most soil types but prefers rich garden loams and heavy soils. Full sun or light shade, protect from drying winds. |
| Shape |
| Rounded |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Dark, dull green foliage, loose rounded form. |
| Pests |
| Spider mites may be an occasional problem in hot summers as well as boxwood leaf miner. 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. |
| Habitat |
| Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Dull grey to light beige, slightly rough. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Small, solitary, sessile, ovoid with 1-2 pairs of visible scales. |
| Leaf Description |
| Small dull dark green leaves, ovate to about 10 mm long and 5 mm wide. |
| Flower Description |
| Yellow cream, fragrant but somewhat insignificant. |
| Fruit Description |
| Three celled capsule, each valve 2 horned, shiny black. |
| Colour Description |
| Little change in winter colour. |
| Texture Description |
| Fine. |
| Notable Specimens |
| The A.M. Cuddy Garden, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. |
| 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. |
References
Widely available.
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