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Buxus microphylla - Siebold.&Zucc.

Common Name Littleleaf boxwood , Littleleaf Boxwood
Family Buxaceae
USDA hardiness 6-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known in a truly wild situation[58].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Buxus microphylla Littleleaf boxwood , Littleleaf Boxwood


http://www.hear.org/starr/
Buxus microphylla Littleleaf boxwood , Littleleaf Boxwood
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sten

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Buxus microphylla is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Bees, flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Wood

Plants can be grown as low hedges, they are very tolerant of pruning but are slow growing[188]. Wood - hard. Used in engraving[1].

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Container, Foundation, Hedge, Superior hedge. Succeeds in almost any soil that is well-drained[11, 200], tolerating light shade and chalky soils[1, 182, 200]. Tolerates a pH range from 5.5 to 7.4[200]. A very ornamental but slow-growing plant[1]. A polymorphic species[200], there are some named varieties developed for their ornamental value[182, 200]. The foliage is pungently scented, especially when wet[245]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - stratification is not necessary but can lead to more regular germination[113]. The seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[138]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c but stored seed can take longer[138]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of short side shoots with a heel, September in a frame[200]. High percentage[78]. Rather slow to root[K]. Nodal cuttings in spring in a frame. Fairly easy[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Buxus balearica Shrub3.0 7-10 SLMHSNM003
Buxus harlandiiJapanese BoxShrub1.0 6-9 SLMHSNM002
Buxus sempervirensBox, Common box, American BoxwoodShrub5.0 6-8 SLMHSNDM123
Buxus wallichiana Shrub2.0 7-10 SLMHSNM013

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Siebold.&Zucc.

Botanical References

1158200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Murat KARA   Mon Aug 9 11:47:37 2004

common name:little-leaf box

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