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Broadleaf Evergreen

Boxwood Bonsai

Buxus species

dense evergreen shrub with tiny leaves, rough bark and strong suitability for formal bonsai shapes

Easy to ModerateOutdoor, with shelter from severe frost in shallow potsBeginner-friendly
Boxwood Bonsai

Overview

Boxwood Bonsai (Buxus species) is a dense evergreen shrub with tiny leaves, rough bark and strong suitability for formal bonsai shapes. It is best suited to beginners, formal upright, broom, group plantings and topiary-style bonsai. For UK growers, treat it as: Outdoor, with shelter from severe frost in shallow pots.

Placement

sun to partial shade; protect from scorching wind and very hot afternoon sun

Watering

keep evenly moist but not wet; box dislikes both drought and stale waterlogged soil

Feeding and fertilising

feed lightly through spring and summer

Pruning and wiring

clip new growth often to maintain compact pads; wire young shoots before they harden

Repotting

repot every 2-4 years in spring

Propagation

semi-ripe cuttings root reliably

Pests, diseases and common issues

box blight, box tree caterpillar, leaf scorch and root problems in poor drainage

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