‘Suffruticosa’ is a slow growing true dwarf cultivar of English boxwood in the Buxaceae (boxwood) family. These easy to grow densely woody evergreen rounded shrubs reach 2 to 3 feet tall, 2 to 4 feet wide. It grows best in evenly moist, well-drained loamy soil in full sun to part shade. Though it can grow in a range of soil types and survive in close to full shade, it will be less vigorous and have decreased foliage than if grown in optimal conditions. Growing in full sun is likely to cause the foliage to scorch in winter. Morning sun is best as well as protection from strong winds. English boxwood is tolerant of pruning; however, pruning should be done after the last frost. Pruning will lead to tender new shoots which can be damaged by cold temperatures. Its shallow roots should be protected with a layer of mulch. Limit cultivation around these shallow roots as it can damage the plant. Protect from winds and full winter sun by placing in a location where these conditions are limited. Winter winds can cause dehydration and bronzing. Remove any accumulated snow to protect the branches. Thinning plants annually will assist with air circulation. This shrub is resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits. In the landscape, use it in a mass planting along walkways, foundations, or as a low hedge. It can be grown in a container or as a specimen. Being evergreen, it makes a nice addition to a winter garden or a cottage garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Box red spider mite, box sucker, and mussel scale are occasional insect problems. Leaf spot and boxwood blight are occasional disease problems. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common boxwood insect pests and diseases. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Buxus sempervirens .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheBuxus 'Green Velvet'Buxus sempervirens 'Vardar Valley'Rhododendron impeditum
Similar, less problematicDistyliumViburnum obovatum 'Raulston Hardy'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Mounding; Rounded
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Orange
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Undulate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Soft
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Lustrous, soft dark green ovate leaves, light green to yellowish on the underside of the leaf. May develop an orange-green cast in winter.