Buxus sempervirens Vardar ValleyBoxwood
科:黄杨科
Family:Buxaceae
属:黄杨属
common name:Boxwood
introduce:Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Buxaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 4 to 5 feet
Bloom Time: April - May
Bloom Color: Greenish yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium moisture
Maintenance: Medium
General Culture:
Best grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, sandy loams. Tolerant of pruning and shearing. In USDA Zones 5 and 6, this boxwood is best sited in a sheltered location which protects it from winter winds. Avoid cultivating around plants because they have shallow roots. Roots a appreciate a good mulch.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
This boxwood cultivar is a dense, compact, many-branched, broad, mounded evergreen shrub. Slow annual growth (to 1.5" per year). Typically grown as a 2-3 tall shrub with a larger spread. Apetalous, greenish yellow flowers (separate male and female flowers on the same plant) appear in spring. Flowers are sparse and insignificant, but fragrant. Small, round to obovate, medium green leaves (to 1 1/8" long) with a blue hue.
Boxwoods can be somewhat temperamental plants to grow in the St. Louis area where foliage tends to bronze (turn unattractive brownish yellow) in harsh winters, particularly if plants are located in open areas exposed to winter winds. Otherwise requires little special care other than annual pruning. Some susceptibility to blight and leaf spots. Root rot can be a problem in poorly drained soils. Vardar Valley shows good resistance to two of the three main insect pests of boxwood (leaf miner and mites), but is subject to psyllid infestations in certain areas of the U.S.
Uses:
Best as a hedge or foundation plant. May be massed, grouped or used as a specimen or accent. Formal gardens or shrub borders.
