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BUXUS sinica 'Tide Hill'

Image of Buxus sinica var. insularis 'Tide Hill'

Jesse Saylor

Family

Buxaceae

Botanical Name

BUXUS sinica var. insularis 'Tide Hill'

Plant Common Name

Korean Boxwood, Tide Hill Korean Boxwood

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

The robust Korean boxwood is known for its excellent winter hardiness and tolerance to pruning and shearing. It is a dense, rounded broadleaf evergreen shrub native to the mountain forests of the Korean Peninsula and northern China.

Small, oval, deep glossy green foliage covers this shrub all season but may turn yellow or bronzy brown in winter. In spring it offers tiny, fragrant, green-yellow flowers that are visited by bees. The fruit is inconspicuous.

Resilient to a wide range of soils (acid to slightly alkaline), Korean boxwood is also quite tolerant of summer heat and humidity as well as winter cold. It grows best in partial sun and well-drained soils. Full sun exposures are only tolerated where seasons are mild. It benefits from mulching to keep its roots cool and moist. Its primary weakness is a susceptibility to leaf dessication and scald caused by drying winter winds and sun. It may also suffer from fungal blight and leaf spots as well as the three problematic insect pests, boxwood leaf miner, boxwood mite and psyllids. Major pruning is best done early in the season.

Boxwoods have lots of utility in the garden. They are ideal for formal hedges and foundation plantings. They are also excellent plants for bonsai and topiary. Desirable cultivars include the robust 'Winter Beauty' and 'Wintergreen.' Both retain their deep green foliage colors better in the depths of winter.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    4 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Broadleaf Evergreen

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    4'-9' / 1.2m - 2.7m

  • Width

    3'-6' / 0.9m - 1.8m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring

  • Native To

    China, Korea

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Slow

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    Yellow Green, Chartreuse

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Lime Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Lime Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Lime Green, Dark Green, Sandy Brown, Bronze

  • Bark Color

    Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Edging, Foundation, Hedges, Rock Garden / Wall

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No