Buxus Microphylla var. Japonica
Regular price$14.49
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Tax included.
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Japanese Boxwood / Japanese Box
Botanical Name: Buxus microphylla var. japonica
Family: Buxaceae
Origin: East Asia (Japan, Korea)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub (formal hedging/topiary)
Overview
The go-to formal hedge/edging shrub: dense, small-leaved mid-green foliage, clips cleanly, and stays neat year-round. Handles sun or part shade in SA; best with afternoon shade in hot districts and reliable moisture while establishing.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 1–2 m H × 1–1.5 m W (unclipped; smaller if regularly trimmed)
- Growth Rate: 10-20 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Small, glossy mid-green leaves; lime-green new growth
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Flowers: Tiny greenish-cream blooms in spring; lightly fragrant (bee-attracting)
- Seasonal Interest: Evergreen structure; fresh lime flushes after trims
- Wildlife Value: Spring pollen/nectar for bees & beneficials
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant (with mulch/PM shade), wind-tolerant, second-line coastal-tolerant; frost hardy
- Planting Density: Low hedges (30–60 cm height): plant 4–6 plants per metre for a tight, formal hedge; Medium hedges (60–120 cm height): plant 3–4 plants per metre for good coverage; Borders & topiary: space plants to suit their natural form and desired shape
- Pet Friendly: Toxic to pets (avoid ingestion). Ingestion may cause vomiting/diarrhoea; keep clippings out of reach.
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (avoid harsh reflected heat)
- Soil: Well-drained loam/sandy loam; enrich with organic matte
- Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (weekly in heatwaves); minimal in winter
- Maintenance: Clip 2–4×/yr (little & often). Feed in early spring with slow-release fertiliser; mulch to keep roots cool
- Lifespan: 30–50+ years (very long-lived with care)
- Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA; shelter from extreme coastal exposure
- Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline (tolerates slightly acidic)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Formal edging for paths & parterres
- Neat low hedges to frame beds
- Containers/topiary balls at entries for year-round structure
Why You Will Love It
Classic formal look, tight clip, and year-round greenery—the dependable hedge that makes gardens feel finished