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Ornamentals

Box

Buxus sempervirens

Box
Photo: Juan de Vojníkov · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

A small-leaved evergreen for edging and topiary; the backbone of classic Portuguese gardens. Toxic.

Light
Partial shade
Height
0.3–2 m
Watering
Moderate: 2–3 times a week in summer
Soil
undemanding
Edible?
No: the whole plant is toxic
How to plant
Dig a hole twice the root ball; 30 cm apart. Water well the first summer.
Care
Clip in May and September, never in full sun. Watch for box moth: green caterpillars among webbed leaves.

Calendar by climate

Warm coast
Mild Mediterranean
Southern interior
Continental interior
Cold interior and uplands
Atlantic
Canary Islands (subtropical)
SowPlantHarvestPruneFeedTreat

Dates are for growing outdoors, based on the local climate. In a greenhouse or tunnel everything comes earlier.

Feeding and doses

Mild Mediterranean

  • Organic granular fertiliserMar50–80 g / m²

Pest prevention and doses

Mild Mediterranean

  • CaterpillarsBacillus thuringiensis · Apr, Jul1 g / L

Approximate doses: always follow the product label. Spray in the evening, never in full sun or on flowers visited by bees. No sulphur above 30 °C.

How easy to grow by climate

  • Warm coastNeeds regular careToo warm a climate
  • Mild MediterraneanEasy
  • Southern interiorNeeds regular careExtreme summer heat
  • Continental interiorEasy
  • Cold interior and uplandsEasy
  • AtlanticEasy
  • Canary Islands (subtropical)DifficultNo winter chill

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