Balearic Boxwood Buxus balearica
ABOUT
The plant commonly known as Balearic box is an evergreen shrub that typically exhibits a dense, rounded to mounding form. Its appearance is characterized by small, glossy, leathery leaves that are oblong to oval in shape and often feature a slightly wavy margin. These leaves are arranged oppositely along the stems, creating a compact and lush foliage. The Balearic box has a rich green color that tends to remain vibrant throughout the year, providing a constant display of color in garden settings. The plant produces inconspicuous yellow flowers that are small and may be overlooked in favor of the plant's foliage. These flowers tend to grow in the spring and are followed by small, hard capsules that contain the seeds. Overall, the appearance of the Balearic box is one of sturdy, evergreen vibrancy, lending itself to formal garden designs, hedges, and topiaries, where its densely packed leaves can be sheared into various shapes and forms. The plant's hardiness and ability to withstand regular pruning make it a favorite among gardeners looking for reliable and attractive greenery. Its appearance contributes to its popularity in landscaping, offering year-round visual interest without the reliance on showy blooms.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Buxaceae
Synonyms
Balearic Box, Majorcan Boxwood, Balearic Boxwood
Common names
Buxus balearica.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Balearic box is considered to be toxic to humans. All parts of the plant, including leaves and stems, contain alkaloids that can cause poisoning if ingested. The symptoms of Balearic box poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and in severe cases, respiratory failure or convulsions. Direct contact with the skin may also cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals. It is important to avoid ingestion of any part of this plant, and to keep it out of reach of children who might accidentally consume it.
To pets
Balearic box is also toxic to pets, such as cats and dogs. Similar to humans, all parts of the plant contain harmful alkaloids. If pets ingest parts of the Balearic box, they could experience symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and incoordination. In severe cases, the poisoning can lead to seizures, breathing difficulties, or even be fatal. It is crucial to prevent pets from accessing and ingesting any part of this plant to ensure their safety.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
5-15 feet (1.5-4.6 meters)
Spread
5-15 feet (1.5-4.6 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Aesthetics: Buxus balearica, commonly known as Balearic boxwood, has a dense, shrub-like appearance that can be shaped into various forms, making it suitable for hedges and topiaries.
- Drought Tolerance: This plant is resilient to dry conditions once established, which can be advantageous in regions with water restrictions.
- Pest Resistance: Balearic boxwood is relatively resistant to pests compared to other plants, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Shade Tolerance: It can grow well in shaded areas, which makes it versatile for landscaping in various light conditions.
- Soil Adaptability: Balearic boxwood is adaptable to a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils.
- Evergreen Nature: As an evergreen plant, it provides year-round greenery and structure in gardens and landscapes.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care beyond occasional trimming, making it suitable for low-maintenance gardens.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Buxus balearica, commonly known as Balearic boxwood, can be used in carving and detailed woodworking due to its fine grain and hard density, making it excellent for precision work.
- The wood of the Balearic boxwood can serve as a substitute for ivory in inlay work due to its smooth finish and pale color after being polished.
- Intricate musical instruments, like woodwind instruments, often use Balearic boxwood for its acoustic properties and ability to be turned and worked precisely.
- Artists utilize the dense wood of Balearic boxwood to create detailed engravings and printing blocks for printmaking techniques.
- As a particularly heavy and dense wood, Balearic boxwood is used in producing chess pieces that have a substantial feel and durability.
- Landscapers may employ Balearic boxwood as a hedge or topiary plant because of its dense foliage and its ability to be pruned into intricate shapes.
- Within ornamental gardening, the slow growth rate and evergreen nature of Balearic boxwood make it a good candidate for bonsai cultivation.
- Historically, the wood of Balearic boxwood was used for making precise scientific instruments, like rulers and drafting instruments, before modern materials became prevalent.
- Due to its natural resistance to decay, Balearic boxwood is a favored material for creating durable household items, such as knife handles, that require longevity.
- In cabinet making, Balearic boxwood might be used for veneer or marquetry, providing a contrasting color and texture in decorative furniture.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Balearic Boxwood is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Balearic Boxwood is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Everlasting Life: The Balearic Boxwood is an evergreen plant, which often symbolizes immortality or the eternal aspect of the soul because it retains its green leaves throughout the year.
- Protection: Historically, Boxwood has been used to create borders and hedges, which can symbolize the idea of creating barriers against negative influences or establishing protective boundaries.
- Purity: With its dense foliage and neat appearance, Balearic Boxwood can represent cleanliness, order, and purity, often used in garden designs to provide a sense of tranquility and perfection.
- Stability and Constancy: Due to its hardy nature and consistent appearance, the Balearic Boxwood symbolizes reliability and steadfastness, reflecting a stalwart character that endures over time.
WaterThe Balearic boxwood (Buxus balearica) should be watered deeply and thoroughly to ensure the water reaches the root zone, typically about once a week. Depending on the climate and the season, adjust the frequency to maintain moist but not waterlogged soil. During hot and dry periods, water every 3-4 days, providing about 2 gallons for smaller shrubs and up to 5 gallons for larger ones. In cooler seasons or during rainfalls, reduce watering to every 10-14 days. Overwatering can be detrimental, so always check the soil moisture before watering again.
LightThe Balearic boxwood thrives in bright, indirect light or partial shade. It can tolerate direct sunlight but may do best with some protection from the intense afternoon sun, especially in hotter regions. A spot that receives morning light and afternoon shade would be ideal, ensuring enough light for healthy growth without excessive stress on the foliage.
TemperatureThe Balearic boxwood prefers a mild climate and can tolerate a range of temperatures from about 20°F to 80°F. Hard freezes below 20°F might cause damage to the plant. Ideally, maintain an environment where temperatures remain between 50°F and 70°F for the best growth conditions.
PruningPruning the Balearic boxwood helps maintain its shape and promotes dense, healthy growth. Prune once a year in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Remove any dead or damaged branches, and shape as desired while being cautious not to cut back more than one-third of the plant. Seasonal light trimming can be done if necessary to tidy up the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBalearic Boxwood prefers a well-draining soil mix with a slightly alkaline to neutral pH, generally around 6.5 to 7.5. A good soil recipe would be a blend of two parts garden soil, one part coarse sand or perlite, and one part peat or compost to enrich the soil and retain some moisture. Regular testing and amendment of soil may be necessary to maintain the optimal pH range for this plant.
RepottingBalearic Boxwood should be repotted every two to three years to ensure healthy growth. Young plants may require more frequent repotting if they are growing quickly, while mature plants can be repotted less often. When repotting the plant, ensure that the root system has enough space to grow and that any compacted soil is refreshed with new soil mix.
Humidity & MistingBalearic Boxwood thrives in average ambient humidity levels, typical of outdoor environments. It can also adjust to the lower humidity levels found indoors but would appreciate an occasional misting during dry conditions to simulate a more natural environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Balearic Boxwood in bright, indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant Balearic Boxwood in partial to full sun, sheltered.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleBuxus balearica, commonly known as Balearic boxwood, begins life as a seed, which once germinated, develops into a seedling with a small root system and initial leaves. As it grows, the plant enters the vegetative stage, where it produces a dense, evergreen shrubbery with small, leathery leaves. During its mature stage, typically from spring to early summer, Balearic boxwood produces inconspicuous yellow flowers that are later replaced by small, dehiscent capsules containing seeds. Once pollinated, often by insects, the seeds mature and are released into the soil to perpetuate the species' life cycle. This plant has a slow growth rate but can live for many years, often being used in hedging and topiary due to its ability to withstand pruning and shaping. After many years, the plant will reach senescence, where growth slows, and it may become more susceptible to diseases and pests before eventually dying.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Buxus balearica, commonly known as the Balearic boxwood, is typically propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. The ideal time for taking cuttings of this evergreen shrub is in the late summer. You would take a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) from the current year's growth, making sure it includes several nodes. Strip off the lower leaves, dip the end into rooting hormone to encourage root development, and then plant the cutting into a pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite. The cutting should be kept in a bright, indirect light location and maintained at constant moisture. Roots typically develop within a few weeks to a couple of months, after which it is safe to transplant the young boxwood into the garden.
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