General information about Boxwood
Boxwood has been called the ‘Plant of many surprises’. It is a very plain, quiet shrub with an elusive fragrance and comforting familiarity. It is unsurpassed in its ability to be smoothly topiarised into firm shapes, neat hedges or baroque flourishes, so says one of our most respected EBTS authors.
Buxus sempervirens , the common box, is present throughout out Europe and is eminently suitable for shaping and topiary.
There are many other types of box around the world and the scientific analysis and identification of these various species has been the subject of many expeditions to exotic and remote places. The establishment of various ‘collections’ of box in Cuba, China, USA and the UK is further evidence of its unique nature and popular appeal.
Our magazine Topiarius has been one of the methods of transmitting scientific information to our members by publishing articles of scientific and horticultural interest to our readership.
Specifically the following articles in the EBTS magazine Topiarius merit further reading:
‘Box-home and abroad’ a review by Richard Hobbs of some of the more important features of buxus – Volume 11 Summer 2007
‘Boxwood- the plant of many surprises’ by Elizabeth Braimbridge, a fascinating description of boxwood in all its forms- Volume 9 Summer 2005
‘Cuba-The National Collection of Native Buxus species in Cuba’ by Professor Egon Kohler describing a famous Collection of box- Volume 7 Summer 2004
‘Boxwood Expedition to the Republic of Georgia’ by Charles T Fooks then President of the American Boxwood Society- Volume 5 Winter 2002/2003
