Woody > Buxus > Buxus microphylla > Buxus microphylla var. japonica
Buxus microphylla
var. japonica
Japanese Boxwood
Origin: Naturally occurring in Japan.
Mike's
Opinion
"
A well-suited accent plant when left to grow naturally as it has a pleasing mounded shape. It makes a wonderful hedge or low border around walkways or courtyards, but it requires constant maintenance to keep its form.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Buxaceae |
| Genus |
| Buxus |
| Species |
| microphylla |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| Variety |
| japonica |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 6 - 9 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 5 - 9 |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H4 - H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -23 - (-6) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -10 - 20 |
| Height |
| 1 - 3 m |
| Spread |
| 1 - 3 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| A mid-sized shrub that is well-suited for controlled urban landscapes that require colour year round. |
| Landscape |
| Topiaries, border hedges, and is well suited to becoming Bonsai. It is also commonly used to cover/hide building foundations. They can make an excellent specimen/accent plant when used alone or in a small grouping. |
| Cultivation |
| In Canada, most boxwood can handle being planted in full sun but prefer to be planted in partial-shade, and need to be semi-sheltered or else they are susceptible to dessication in the winter months. Due to being very shallow rooted, they require a good mulching (2-4cm) and watering when the soil dries out. |
| Shape |
| A loosely pyramidical shrub that is well-suited to whimsical training. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| A dense shrub that responds well to shearing and hard pruning and thus is suited to being shaped into topiaries and hedges; particularly because of its sharply quadrangular branchlets. |
| Pests |
| During the winter months they are very susceptible to dessication unless planted in an area protected from full-sun and wind. Boxwood Leaf Miner and Boxwood Mites can cause serious problems with the livability of this variety and subsequent cultivars. It is known for being deer and rabbit resistant. |
| Habitat |
| This species is naturally found in mountainous areas of Japan, most commonly on the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| New shoot growth is a ripe green colour, while older growth of the bark is a pale grey-brown colour. |
| Leaf Description |
| Bright green glossy foliage with shape varying between ovate, obovate, or elliptic that are about 2cm long. |
| Flower Description |
| Terminal clusters with a single pistillate flower surrounded by several staminate flowers. Though not fragrant, they are known for attracting bees. |
| Fruit Description |
| 3-celled capsules with shiny black seeds. |
| Colour Description |
| A deep lustrous green with new growth being a brighter green shade which turns yellow or brown depending on winter conditions. |
| Texture Description |
| Medium- or fine-textured year round. |
| Propagation |
| Cuttings are fairly easy to root using semi-new grow cuttings: trim the bottom leaves off and place in a moist potting medium after dipping in Rooting Hormone. Be sure to keep cuttings under either a light mist or a cover/tent. When propagating by seed they require 2-4 months of chilling before they will begin to germinate. |
References
Dirr, M.(1998). Manual for Woody Landscape Plants: their identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation, and uses. Champaign, IL: Stripes Pub.
top