The herb box is so classified because the woody parts, leaves, and roots have been used in different ways for millennia. All varieties are evergreen trees, but very slow-growing. If left un-pruned, several varieties can grow to heights of between 6 and 23 feet (2-7 m). The hard center stem and branches of boxwood are copper-colored until, as the plant ages, they become overlaid with gray bark. The small, pungent, spicy leaves are oblong, smooth, and densely packed together on many branches. When small, it is hard to believe that this diminutive tree has the capacity to grow so tall (with the exception of dwarf box). There are variations in foliage color, depending on the variety. As box grows taller, it spreads branchlets which eventually touch those of its neighboring plants; this makes it a popular choice to plant as a hedge. Tiny clusters of pale yellow flowers open in mid-spring to early summer, becoming seed-bearing pods in autumn (fall). The root of box is “yellow and harder than the timber,” according to John Gerard, the eminent 15th-century herbalist. Today, box is planted for its charm in garden compositions, although as a herb its usefulness in different ways is often overlooked or forgotten. Now that Buxus has become widely appreciated, both in private gardens and in municipal areas, available varieties have increased and there is often some confusion in their botanical nomenclature. A specialist boxwood nursery has grown over 40 kinds of box in the middle of a wood in Hampshire, England. A few of them are described in the June 1992 issue of the British magazine The Garden. They include an unusual weeping box; a pale luscious-looking kind with new leaves the color of a golden delicious apple; and yet another that looks like a Lombardy poplar. However, the five kinds of box described in this chapter are easily identified by their markedly different foliage color.
English box, like all varieties of box, is evergreen as mentioned earlier. Looking like a miniature tree to begin with, it can reach a height of 6-23 feet (2-7 m) if un-pruned. Once established, it becomes taller and broader more quickly. The woody stems are closely packed with small leaves that are smooth, dark green, and pointed. When the new young shoots appear in spring, it is completely covered in a mantle of fresh lime green. English box is used extensively for hedges and for all types of topiary.
Dwarf Dutch box is a miniature species, growing approximately 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) high, depending on the amount of clipping it has. Its leaves are a little larger than those of English box, oval, and greenish gold, while the new shoots are lemon-colored. This box is excellent for making Lilliputian hedges.
Japanese box grows 6 feet (2 m) or more in height. It has larger, rounder foliage than English box; it also has a dense habit and grows quite rapidly once established. This box is used extensively for topiary. Planted as a hedge, when the new pale yellow leaves are sprouting, gold-tinted Japanese box looks spectacular, especially in sunlight.
Variegated box (B. marginata) grows about 6-23 feet (2-7 m) high and has oval leaves edged with gold. It is ornamental, and can be used as a hedge or as an accent plant singly among green box. It is often trained into standards, made into pyramids or other topiary shapes that appeal. The golden leaf edges are an ornamental feature, while new shoots are entirely golden.
Variegated box (B. argentea) also grows approximately 6-23 feet (2-7 m) high and has green leaves outlined in silver, the new leaf shoots being entirely silver-white. This form of box looks equally as attractive as B. marginata and is often treated in a similar manner to B.marginata. A remembered delightful planting was an example of B. argentea used as a long, curving hedge about 3 feet (1 m) high around a rock garden; it inspired much admiration. An interesting specimen of topiary using two kinds of box is found in the Japanese Garden in San Francisco’s Botanical Garden. In a replica of Japan’s Mount Fuji, green English box was clipped into a broad sloping “mountain” at least 6 feet (1.75 m) high, and growing through the center, green and silver variegated box B. argentea made a striking contrast to the rest, being artfully trimmed at the top into a snowy peak with an uneven snowline just below.
History and mythology
Box is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Ancient civilizations domesticated box from the wild for their various needs, growing it around their dwellings. Later, box was clipped and shaped into neat hedges for marking boundaries in “physic” gardens, while it was also gathered for medicinal purposes. This accommodating small tree featured in landscape designs, was fashioned into a diversity of shapes models of animals, birds, urns, pyramids, spirals, balls topiary being the name given to the craft of clipping and training trees and shrubs into standards. A story is told that the aroma of box was disagreeable and “fox-like” to 17th-century gardeners, who turned against box for a time: but it was back in favour before long. The very hard, rigid timber was valued for using as printing blocks, engraving plates, weaver’s shuttles, nutcrackers, and for making mathematical and musical instruments. In bygone days the roots of mature box were used by French cabinet-makers, being prized for its beautiful yellow color and extra hardness.
Cultivation
There are several ways of cultivating box plants oneself. The slowest method is to sow seed, but the resulting seedling does not always come true to the parent. A more successful and a quicker way is to choose the best specimens of the desired variety in spring or early autumn (fall), take cuttings with a leaf node, trim the cuttings, insert into a pot of river sand, and keep moist. Another method is to trim off firm cuttings, once again in spring or early autumn (fall), from established plants, then dip the pruned stems into cutting powder (optional) and put them straight into the ground at a minimum of 2 inches (5 cm) apart, where they remain green while making roots. An even easier method for the home gardener is to bury three-quarters of a well-grown box plant in soil, including leafy branches and trunk, for approximately six months. The covered parts will make roots which can be cut off and planted. If buying potted box from a nursery, space them further apart. Box grows best in limy or chalky soil or planted in a well-drained position in full sun to part shade. It has been known to thrive in both these conditions.
Harvesting and processing
Although box timber is still sometimes used in the manufacture of chess pieces and turned boxes, it is not suggested that the home gardener should do this, unless the craft appeals, in which case the tree should be large enough to cut the wood into suitable sizes. If wishing to gather the glossy black seeds, collect them from spent flower- heads when ripe and sow in a prepared seed tray in spring or early autumn (fall).
Various uses
Culinary
Box is not a culinary herb.
Medicinal
Box was once a therapeutic herb, but nowadays does not have a wide medicinal use. Although some herbalists say that the bark and leaves are successful as a purgative, their use for this purpose should only be considered on the directions of a well-trained therapist. Extreme caution is advised. Animals have died from eating the leaves.
Cosmetic
Box is still employed today in treating the scalp for dandruff. Place 1 oz (30 g) of box wood shavings in a jar in enough cider vinegar to cover, then close the lid tightly for two weeks. Dampen some cotton wool in the mixture and rub thoroughly into all sections of the scalp. Dry the head then rinse in water. Massage the scalp but do not wash. This treatment should be carried out every 10 days, washing the hair in between. At one time the leaves and sawdust were prepared as a dye for turning hair auburn.
Companion planting
In companion planting some maintain that roses do not like the spreading woody roots of Buxus. The answer lies in chopping away any encroaching culprits, as box hedges around rose gardens are especially decorative. The vast roseraie within Salzburg’s splendid Mirabelle Gardens is composed of low box mazes surrounding beds of flourishing roses; glittering pathways of crushed white marble define the maze’s complex pattern and are a striking contrast to the green box hedges.
