Dwarf Box or Edging Box - Buxus Suffruticosa
Buxus sempervirens Suffruticosa or Dwarf Box, is the smallest box available and it's so good at one thing that it is often simply known as Edging Box. Its bright little leaves are dense, evergreen and perfect for neat clipping. Box plants in general have no problem with quite shady sites and will do well in the shadow of deciduous trees where they receive sun in the winter time. Depending on how you trim them, you can get two very different effects from your Dwarf Box hedge. The formal style is to maintain a square or rectangular shape, which brings a satisfying element of order to your garden. The other option is to just let it grow, in which case it will from smooth mounds like green boulders - a wonderful feature in a wild garden. Your Dwarf Box hedging does flower though, as it has no petals, you will probably only notice the bees that it attracts. Commonly used beside paths or around flower beds, Dwarf Box is also suitable for planting in containers. The ideal height for this plant is 30 - 50 cms, 1 - 2 feet, and it does grow slowly. If you are in a hurry or want a taller hedge, we recommend that you go with Common Box.
Pruning your Dwarf Box hedge
Buxus sempervirens Suffruticosa should be trimmed around the end of May and, if you want to keep it looking really smart, again in early September. Don't leave it too late or the plant will have a rough winter. If you are maintaining a formal dwarf box hedge, do not trim the top surface until it has reached the desired height as box grows very slowly. The golden rule with box - and many other plants, for that matter is to trim them on a cloudy day to prevent sunburn damage, which will cause brown or yellow leaves that take a long time to be replaced by new foliage. A simple trick to make your job easier if you are using hand shears is to wet the blade frequently - or spray the hedge with water. You will find it much easier to cut and this will give you more precision.
The easiest topiary effect to achieve is a cloud hedge. This can be done by buying different sized box plants or, if you have the patience, by varying the amount of trimming you give each plant. Simply aim for 3 different sizes of plant and alternate them, allowing the plants to grow in a rounded shape. The final appearance is simple and very pleasing to look at.
Planting your Dwarf Box
Buxus Suffruticosa has no special preferences. Any reasonably well drained soil will do, some people notice more vigorous growth on limy soil and it may have a hard time establishing in heavily compacted earth. Dwarf Box doesn't need a lot of light, although the leaves will darken in relation to the amount of shade. Adding lime and bonemeal to the soil at the time of planting will help ensure a good start. To have a really solid hedge, you will need at least 6 Dwarf Box plants per metre and 8 wouldn't hurt.
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