Buxus microphylla var japonica - Japanese Box

Japanese Box

The Buxus microphylla var japonica commonly known as the Japanese Box is a beautiful, compact evergreen shrub renowned for its glossy dark green oval-shaped foliage

and exceptional suitability for creating elegant shorter formal hedges and borders.

The naturally dense growth habit makes it fabulous for short box hedges, topiary, and formal garden designs across diverse garden styles.

**For larger pot sizes please contact us for availability/pricing

** Also topiary Buxus Balls and Standards available, please contact us for pricing

Spacing - For a low growing dense hedge use 5 plants every metre (Plant every 20cm apart trunk to trunk). Taller hedges can be planted at 25–30cm.

Growth size: 1-3m h x 1-3m w/

Positioning: Full sun to part shade

Temperament: Frost tolerant, wide range of soils, requires little water but prefers moist soil

Historic Botanical Significance

The Japanese Box showcases small glossy dark green oval-shaped leaves that create an attractive, refined appearance year-round.

The naturally dense, compact growth habit develops beautifully making it perfect for maintaining tight clean hedge lines and formal garden edges.

Perfect Hedging

Plant every 20cm apart trunk-to-trunk for a dense, low-growing hedge (approximately 5 plants per metre).

For taller screening applications, space plants further apart at 25-30cm intervals.

The compact form adapts well to various hedge heights and garden designs, from low borders to medium-height screening.

Topiary & Formal Gardens

The Japanese Box responds beautifully to pruning and shaping, making it ideal for topiary work, geometric forms, and formal garden designs.

The dense growth habit holds shaped forms tightly, perfect for creating patterned gardens and architectural garden features.

Growing Requirements

Full sun to part shade positioning.

Frost tolerant and adapts to a wide range of soils, making it versatile for diverse garden situations.

Requires little water but prefers moist soil for optimal growth.

Once established, low-maintenance with minimal care requirements - simply trim to maintain desired shape.

Perfect For

> Hedges

> Formal gardens

> Borders

> Patterned gardens

> Topiary applications, and ornamental garden edges. 

Why Choose Japanese Box

> Low to medium hedges

> Compact naturally dense growth habit

> Frost tolerance

> Adaptability to diverse soils

> Responsive pruning capability for topiary and formal applications