Buxus microphylla Rococo - Boxwood

Buxus microphylla ‘Rococo’ is a variety of dwarf Japanese boxwood with small, rounded evergreen leaves of a fresh and glossy olive green. Its naturally dense, low and spreading habit is particularly suited for creating border or small trimmed hedges. This decorative shrub, a symbol of French gardens and well-maintained mazes, is timelessly classic. Hardy and easy to grow in moderately dry soil, it grows at its own pace, which is slow, but without requiring maintenance. Whether in mixed, free or trimmed hedges, as a free-standing shrub, as a topiary or as a bonsai, it lends itself to all desires!

Buxus microphylla is native to Japan and was introduced to Europe around 1860. Like our common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), it belongs to the Buxaceae family. The ‘Rococo’ variety, sometimes referred to as B. microphylla ‘Tide Hill’ or ‘Wiertz’, has better resistance to certain fungal diseases. Preferring semi-shade and relatively cool environments, it tolerates dry and chalky soils and responds well to repeated pruning. This extremely dense bushy shrub shows very slow growth, reaching about 1m (3ft 4in) in height and 1.20m (3ft 11in) in width at maturity. Its evergreen foliage, shinier than that of common boxwood, consists of small rounded leaves with a glossy olive green colour. This boxwood is particularly resistant to discoloration during winter frosts. The discreet, nectar-rich and fragrant flowering occurs in clusters of small greenish petals and yellow stamen bouquets in May-June. Each cluster consists of a terminal female flower and several hanging male flowers. This flowering is followed by the formation of small, tough, grey-brown capsules containing numerous ripe seeds in late summer. Their scent attracts ants that disperse them, thus contributing to the plant's multiplication. It is common to see 50-year-old boxwoods in the gardens of family homes, and in very old gardens, individuals over 500 years old can be found.

The ‘Rococo’ boxwood is perfect for creating a low evergreen hedge or an original plant sculpture, if you have patience. It enhances every structure in the garden as well as all neighboring plants. Annual pruning in June allows for abundant and pleasant spring flowering. Boxwood is often used on terraces, in beautiful ceramic or stone pots, and in small gardens for its strong decorative value throughout the year while occupying little space. In herb gardens, it can delineate squares of aromatic plants, different parts of a vegetable garden, or the area reserved for cut flowers. In a slightly wild area of the garden, under large trees for example, it will form beautiful bright bushes all year round, emerging from a carpet of Algerian Bellecour ivy for example.

A legendary tree: boxwood has lemon yellow wood with a very fine grain and is remarkably hard. It is the hardest wood found in the northern hemisphere, second only to ebony, which comes from various species native to the tropical regions of the Old World. As a symbol of immortality, it has been used since antiquity for the quality of its wood: the Greeks and Romans used it to make wax-covered tablets on which they wrote. Highly sought after by turners, engravers, and sculptors, it was also used to make various musical instruments, tool handles, and the mallet of Masonic lodges, where it symbolized firmness and perseverance.