The Buxus microphylla, or Japanese Box, is a top-notch evergreen shrub that’s a cornerstone of formal garden design in Australia. It’s a real workhorse, prized for its dense growth habit and its small, shiny, oval leaves that create a tidy, uniform look. Its ability to be pruned into a variety of shapes makes it incredibly versatile, and it’s a fantastic, low-maintenance alternative to the English Box.
Caring for Your Buxus
- Growing Conditions: This tough little plant is quite adaptable. It thrives in a spot with full sun to part shade and can even handle a fair bit of shade, although it might grow a bit more sparsely there. It prefers well-draining, fertile soil.
- Watering: Water regularly while the plant is young to help it establish a strong root system. Once settled, it’s fairly drought-tolerant, but a good soak during long, dry spells will keep it looking its best.
- Feeding: To encourage strong growth and a dense habit, give it a feed with a slow-release, general-purpose fertiliser in spring and again in autumn.
- Pruning: Pruning is key to maintaining a neat shape. For a formal hedge or topiary, prune it lightly and often during the growing season. This encourages a dense flush of new growth.
Usage in the Garden
Japanese Box is most famously used for creating beautiful, low formal hedges and borders that define garden beds and pathways. Its dense foliage provides an excellent backdrop for colourful flowering plants. It also works brilliantly as a standalone feature plant, a topiary specimen (such as a ball or pyramid), or in a pot on a patio or deck. It’s an essential plant for creating a classic, structured look in any garden.
