Boxwood Facts
Boxwood Facts
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| Interesting Boxwood Facts: |
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| Boxwood is round or oval shaped shrub that can reach 1 to 15 feet in height. It has several stems with numerous branches. |
| Boxwood produces round, elliptical or oval leaves with smooth edges. They are dark green colored and oppositely arranged on the branches. Leaves are shiny and have leathery texture. Some varieties produce variegated leaves. |
| Boxwood produces small, inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers). |
| Boxwood blooms during the spring. Flowers emit pleasant smell which attracts insects (such as bees), which are responsible for the pollination of this plant. |
| Fruit of boxwood is small capsule filled with seed. |
| Boxwood propagates via seed and cuttings. |
| Ancient Egyptians cultivated boxwood in ornamental purposes (in the form of hedge) 4.000 years BC. |
| Three species of boxwood: 1. little-leafed boxwood, 2. American (common) boxwood and 3. Korean boxwood, are cultivated worldwide as borders, topiaries, screens, hedges or as bonsai. Dwarf varieties of boxwood can be used as groundcovers or in decorative purposes in the rockeries. |
| Boxwood can be seen in the gardens of Versailles (famous royal palace in France), Mount Vernon (plantation home of George Washington) and the White House (residence of the president of the USA). |
| Boxwood has strong wood that can be used for carving and manufacture of chess pieces, decorative boxes, wooden spoons and various pieces (tailpieces, tuning pegs...) for the stringed instruments. |
| Boxwood can be used in treatment of rheumatism and secondary syphilis. Essential oils obtained from the wood can be used in treatment of epilepsy, toothache, fever, to alleviate symptoms of flu or as tonic for stomach. Wood of boxwood produces narcotic and sedative effects when consumed in large doses. |
| Powder made of dried leaves of boxwood can be used to promote growth of hair. This powder is also frequently given to horses to improve quality of their coats. |
| Leaves and bark of boxwood were used for the manufacture of perfumes in the past.. |
| Mixture made of leaves and sawdust of boxwood boiled in strong alkaline solution was used for dyeing of hair in reddish-brown color. |
| Boxwood is perennial plant that can survive from 5 to 600 years, depending on the species. |
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