Graham Blandy boxwood

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is helpful in hot climates. Shelter from drying winter winds.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, keeping the root zone moist but not saturated. Established plants tolerate short dry spells, but need deep watering during prolonged drought.

Soil

Well-drained loam, clay or sandy soil enriched with organic matter; prefers a near-neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Avoid waterlogged ground.

Height

6-10 ft (1.8-3 m), eventually taller in favourable conditions

Spread

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m)

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, leathery, oval leaves, dark green above and paler beneath, held densely on upright stems. Exposed foliage may bronze in winter.

Growth

Slow

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   2.4 ft (0.74 m)

3. After 2 years

   3 ft (0.98 m)

4. After 3 years

   4 ft (1.2 m)

5. After 5 years

   6 ft (1.7 m)

About 8 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Native to

the UK

Growth rate

Slow

• Plant with the root flare at soil level; do not bury the stem base.
• Water deeply during dry weather for the first two growing seasons, directing water onto the soil rather than the leaves.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or a soil test indicates a deficiency.
• Gently brush off heavy snow before it splays or breaks the upright branches.

Pruning. Lightly trim in late spring or early summer after the first flush of growth, preferably in dry, overcast weather. Remove dead branches and selectively thin crowded shoots; avoid repeated close shearing and late-season pruning.

Late winter

Check for snow damage and broken branches; wait until growth resumes before deciding whether bronzed shoots are dead.

Spring

Plant where the soil is workable, refresh mulch and water thoroughly.

Late spring

Lightly shape after the first growth flush and remove dead or crowded shoots.

Summer

Water during prolonged dry spells and inspect foliage for caterpillars, webbing, leaf spots and sudden leaf drop.

Autumn

Clear fallen leaves from beneath plants, especially where box blight has occurred; avoid feeding or hard trimming.

Late autumn

Water before the ground freezes if autumn has been dry, and check that exposed plants have shelter from winter wind.

• Plant matching columns beside an entrance or at the ends of a path for a formal frame.
• Repeat through a narrow border to add upright structure without using much ground space.
• Use as evergreen punctuation among roses, perennials and lower clipped shrubs.
• Grow in large, well-drained containers for a courtyard accent, protecting roots from severe winter cold.

Garden styles it suits: Formal, Architectural minimal, Modern courtyard, English country, French parterre and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Roses, Catmint, Hardy geraniums, Hellebores, Japanese forest grass and Panicle hydrangeas.

Wildlife: The small spring flowers provide pollen and nectar for visiting insects. Dense foliage offers shelter for small birds, but this is not a major wildlife food plant.

• Box blight: leaf spotting, dark stem streaks and rapid defoliation are warning signs. Remove affected material and fallen leaves, disinfect tools between plants, avoid overhead watering and seek local advice before treating.
• Box tree moth: caterpillars strip leaves and leave webbing, particularly in affected parts of Europe and eastern North America. Inspect regularly, remove small infestations by hand and use locally approved caterpillar controls when necessary.
• Root rot: yellowing, wilting and dieback can follow prolonged wet soil. Correct drainage and avoid overwatering; badly affected plants may need removal.
• Winter burn and snow damage: exposed leaves can bronze or brown, and heavy snow can split the narrow framework. Provide wind shelter, keep roots watered before freezing weather and gently remove heavy snow.

All parts, particularly the leaves and bark, are toxic to cats, dogs, horses and people if eaten. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain; large amounts can cause serious poisoning, especially in livestock. Sap may irritate sensitive skin.

• Common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

  The ordinary species has similar leaves but develops a much broader, rounded or irregular outline; Graham Blandy forms a distinctly narrow column.

• Sky Pencil Japanese holly (Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil')

  It has a similar upright silhouette, but its leaves are alternate and finely scalloped rather than opposite and smooth-edged. Female plants may bear black berries.

• Irish yew (Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata')

  Irish yew also grows upright but has narrow needles rather than broad oval leaves and eventually becomes much larger.

Buxus is the Latin name for box, and sempervirens means evergreen.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and root them in a free-draining medium under humid conditions. Use cuttings rather than seed to retain the cultivar's narrow habit.

Accepted botanical name

Buxus sempervirens

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states.

Native range

Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Corse, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Iran, Italy and Libya.

Measured

Soil pH 7.5 to 8. Average height 338 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.