Buxus balearica

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Buxus balearica
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Hardiness:8
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Evergreen
Height:10'
Width:10'
Speed:Slow
Blooms:Mid Spring-Late Spring
Native to:
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Buxus balearica

Propagation: Seed - stratification is not necessary but can lead to more regular germination[1]. The seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[2]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c but stored seed can take longer[2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cuttings of short side shoots with a heel, September in a frame[3]. High percentage[4]. Rather slow to root[K].

Nodal cuttings in spring in a frame. Fairly easy[3].

Cultivation: Succeeds in almost any soil that is well-drained[5][3], tolerating light shade and chalky soils[6][7][3]. Tolerates a pH range from 5.5 to 7.4[3].

A very slow growing plant[6].

The foliage is pungently scented, especially when wet[8].

Range: Europe - Spain, Balearic Islands.

Habitat: Dry hills.

Usage: Plants can be grown as a small to medium-size hedge. They are very tolerant of pruning but are rather slow growing[9].

Wood - hard, valuable. Used in engraving[6].

Pollinators: Bees, flies

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

In Leaf: Evergreen

Flower Type: Monoecious

Links

References

  1. Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  4. Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
  5. Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  7. Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
  8. Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
  9. Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.