Buxus sempervirens Suffruiticosa

Common Name:
English Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa')

Description:
Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa', commonly known as English Boxwood, is a classic, slow-growing evergreen shrub highly prized for its small, rounded leaves and compact, dense growth habit. Renowned for its use in formal gardens, knot gardens, and decorative borders, this variety maintains a naturally rounded shape and responds beautifully to regular clipping. English Box is best known for its refined structure, making it ideal for miniature hedges, topiary, or as edging along garden beds and paths. In Melbourne’s climate, it thrives in full sun to part shade, preferring well-drained soil and protection from extreme heat and drying winds. Though very hardy, it benefits from occasional deep watering during dry spells and mulching to retain soil moisture. The small, yellow-green flowers that appear in spring are subtle and generally hidden within the foliage.

Form:
Shrub - Small
Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

Mature Size:
Height: 40–60 cm (can be maintained lower)
Width: 40–60 cm

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Spring
(Inconspicuous flowers)

Flower Colour:
Pale Yellow
Greenish Cream

Key Attributes:
Suitable for Pots
Low Maintenance
Frost Tolerant
Suitable for Hedging
Suitable for Topiary
Suitable for Formal Borders
Evergreen
Slow Growing
Tolerates Heavy Pruning
Drought Tolerant (once established)

Toxicity:
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested — may cause gastrointestinal upset

Companion Plants:
Lavandula ‘BeeZee White’
Viola hederacea
Salvia ‘So Cool Lilac’
Liriope ‘Evergreen Giant’
Rosa ‘The Fairy’