Box plant leaves will go a coppery brown colour if the plant is short of nutrients, or if it is exposed to very cold winds, or to prolonged frosty weather. When starting with a small un-trimmed box plant, the initial aim should be to grow a bigger plant; then to make it approximately the right shape; and finally to mould the finished topiary shape.

Standards can be formed by selecting a box plant with a straight trunk already of the desired height, removing the lower branches, and trimming and growing the crown into a sphere. Alternatively, young plants can be 'drawn up' to make long stemmed trees (e.g. growing them close together); supporting the stem with a cane; and then 'stopping' the main shoot when it has reached the desired height and trimming the top to a ball shape. This process will take a number of years. Sadly in recent years box has been affected by box blight disease and more recently a plague of tiny caterpillars that feast on the foliage. The blight that affects boxwood is widespread and feared by gardeners across Europe and the US. Although difficult to control you can help box hedges, topiary and structure plants to resist infection growing them well. There are various, generally fungus related, diseases that can affect buxus plants, especially where the growing conditions are not ideal especially where the foliage tends to stay moist due to poor air circulation. A pair of these tightly clipped evergreen box pyramids is excellent for flanking a set of steps, doorway or path.Happy in any aspect from full sun to full shade although some shelter is recommended as a strong prevailing wind may cause leaf scorch.

The boxes are native to western and southern Europe, southwest, southern and eastern Asia, Africa, Madagascar, northernmost South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean, with the majority of species being tropical or subtropical; only the European and some Asian species are frost-tolerant. Centres of diversity occur in Cuba (about 30 species), China (17 species) and Madagascar (9 species).

Planting/Flowering Calendar

Find sources: "Buxus"– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( November 2011) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) If your Buxus plant turns brown in winter, this is typical of this species. After growing in the summer, their growth rate decreases in the winter months drastically.

If a box plant is short of nutrients, it will only grow very slowly. The leaves will tend to become coppery brown, or will develop cream or yellow tips and margins. Once good growing conditions are restored, the leaves will become uniform green again within a few weeks. Once this is done remove all the cuttings and then carefully remove as much debris as possible from under and around the plants. This not only removes as much infected material as possible but also allows more air to the centre of the plants.

Topiary cones and pyramids make a great addition to any outdoor space whether they’re placed symmetrically outside your front door, as a centrepiece for your garden or along garden paths. Topiary cones and pyramids are popular amongst households. Their unique shape can make your garden feel and look more spacious. But what’s the difference between the two? Buxus sempervirens Buxus sinica foliage Buxus henryi foliage Buxus wallichiana foliage and seed capsules Buxus sempervirens bark Buxus sempervirens bark closeup We are situated in the scenic New Forest in Hampshire near the town of Lymington. Can I visit Top Topiary in person? Buxus hedge plants (known also as box hedges and boxwood shrubs) are ideal for many gardeners; they are tolerant and durable, and they can be easily trimmed into any desired shape. However, if not watered frequently or left unattended, Buxus plants can begin to die or become inundated with disease.

The boxwood pyramid does well everywhere, but it does prefer a spot in full sun or partial shade. Advice & Care As soon as you discover it spray thoroughly with PY bug killer, an effective insecticide which controls caterpillars. Available in a handy ready to use spray it is easy to use and effective if you spray the top and undersides of all foliage and repeat around 10 days later. Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition. Springfield Massachusetts: G. & C. Merrium Company. 2 July 1934. pp.320–321. box 1. …of the genus Buxus, esp. B. sempervirens… boxwood 1. the…wood of the box… 2. the…shrub itself. Suitable for container planting: Yes, most definitely, Buxus are equally happy in a pot as they are in the ground. Keep in mind if pot planted, they will need to be repotted approximately every 3 years in larger pots and fresh compost. Eventual height and spread: Not really applicable as all our buxus plants are for topiary rather than hedging but left untrimmed can reach upto 3 metres with a 3 metre spread.

2. Creating Box Topiary

The spores that cause it can be spread via the wind, birds and animals, planting material, garden tools, footwear or clothing. Box is a very dense small-leaved native evergreen with dark green glossy foliage. It's slow growing and shade tolerant. Traditionally it has been used for formal hedging and topiary work. English Yew cones are available in our nursery up to 300cm high - although as the photos below show,we can get larger ones on request.