Buxus Sempervirens is also known as the common box, boxwood, Box hedging plants All over the New Zealand

Buxus And The Ancient Civilisations – A Quick History Lesson In The Old World

Many people have seen or had a Buxus growing on their property, but only a few know about this plant and its ancient origins. Within the civilizations, it flourished in and still does. A well-known fact is that the ancient Egyptians planted this hedge back some four thousand years ago.

The Early Origins Of Buxus

Buxus was in Asia, the Americas, and even Africa. The popularity of it has increased and is more popular than ever, especially when you plant boxwood in climates suitable for its growth.

A Hedge Fit For Kings And Queens

In the middle ages, Buxus was the kings and queens’ first choice when landscaping their enormous estates and castles. it is one of the few hedges that grow slowly, making it the perfect choice for shaping into topiary designs. It is also great for mini hedge mazes. You will often see European box heavily planted around entranceways, driveways, garden borders, and long stretches under windows.

Buxus – A True Touch Of Class

Buxus gives any property a touch of aristocratic flair that other hedge varieties can not achieve, hence its popularity. For gardeners, it is a quintessential ingredient for up-market-looking landscapes. Landscapes fit for royalty.

It’s All About The Levels

An essential factor in design and functionality is the varying heights of plants planted within a group of plants. Buxus creates a tiered look with larger hedges at the back, and planted in the front. Roses or other flowering plants planted in the middle were pleasing to the human eye. In countries like Poland, it is a gift or gesture of good health and longevity when shared with loved ones. A practice that is still very much alive today in modern Poland.

The Biggest Problems We See With Buxus Hedges

Buxus is a hardy little hedge. However, most varieties are vulnerable to a type of fungus called “Box Blight.”This can damage the fine woody stems of the Buxus and affect the leaves as well causing dead patches and small die offs along your otherwise perfect hedge. This is hard to prevent depending where you property is located and affects all but one variety of Buxus. Approximately 2 years ago we noticed this randomly happening to some of our clients plants and after long deliberation we decided to only sell the fairly new strain of Buxus called Microphillia.

Buy New Disease Free Buxus Hedges

After planting this variety extensively throughout Auckland, we have noticed no problems with our client’s plants being affected by this fungus. As a result, we now only supply and plant the Microphillia variety. We like to plant it once and get it right the first time without returning.

Rising Popularity

Buxus is making a big comeback in modern architecture. Over the past five years, we have been getting more and more inquiries about it from clients. They want something different and more exotic to give a gourmet-looking structure to their gardens and pathways. Homes with extensive Buxus plantings always stand out from the crowd, especially with their wandering formations, especially from the roadside. It goes particularly well with star jasmine as an inside flower bed.

Planted By The Best

Many public botanical gardens use Buxus extensively in their displays as they know it is considered a show stopper. However, it is something different you don’t see every day and looks so good when trimmed/shaped up.

Buxus & Water

One of the most common reasons for Buxus dying is the fact that most people do not supply them with enough water. Also many people lay stone chip around them as it looks good but the stones tend to heat up in the sun subsequently heating up the roots and drying the Buxus out. Buxus surrounded with mulch protects its delicate roots from the sun. Mulch also assists in retaining moisture in the soil for the plant to access when it needs to drink.Please consider these factors when planting Buxus and you will end up with a vibrant hedge that will look great as well as standing the test of time.

The Old With The New

Most homeowners are quite surprised to see what such an ancient plant looks like against an ultra modern home. That mix of moderness and antiquity really really works and provides you with a little hedge that will be the envy of your visitors. Buxus by your front door is also rumoured to bring good luck across the threshold into a home, place of work or play so that is just another reason to plant this amazing little hedge.

Be Prepared Or Be Prepared To Fail

So get into it. Do your soil research properly first and be sure to follow the advice mentioned both here and online. Perhaps even start with a small area first and get to know it. Buxus rocks.