Important conclusions can be drawn from the origin of the boxwood for purchasing decisions, choice of location and care requirements. You can find out where the most popular boxwood species are native here. Read these interesting notes on the German and botanical origins of names.
Where is the boxwood native?
The boxwood is native to southwest and central Europe, North Africa and western Asia. Popular species include the common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), the Balearic boxwood (Buxus balearica), the small-leaved boxwood (Buxus micorphylla) and the Chinese boxwood (Buxus harlandii).
Where is the boxwood native?
The common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), boxwood for short, is native to southwest andCentral Europe as well as to North Africa and West Asia. Its area of origin extends from the Mediterranean to southern England. From the boxwood genus (Buxaceae), these three species are also of horticultural importance:
- Balearic boxwood (Buxus balearica) Origin: Balearic Islands, southern Spain, Sardinia, north-west Africa.
- Small-leaved boxwood (Buxus micorphylla) Origin: Korea, Taiwan, Japan, varieties in Mexico.
- Chinese boxwood (Buxus harlandii) Origin: China
What do we know about the boxwood name origin?
The German name boxwood is derived fromPyxis, the Greek word for round cans, which were mostly turned fromboxwood. In the Hellenistic period, the wooden containers with lids were primarily used as jewelry boxes and grave goods for women. The German terms Büchse and Buchse are also a linguistic derivation of Pyxis.
The botanical name Buxus comes from the ancient Greek word Pýxos for boxwood. At this point the origin of the name comes full circle, as Pyxis is a direct derivation of Pýxos.
Tip
Boxwood alternatives urgently wanted
The predominantly Asian and tropical origins are the downfall of boxwoods in Central Europe. Boxwood borers introduced from East Asia eat entire boxwood hedges bare. Buxus shoot dieback and other diseases seriously affect the boxwood plant. Resistant boxwood alternatives native to Germany are on the rise, such as the holly Ilex aquifolium, whose premium variety 'Heckenzwerg' looks confusingly similar to a Buxus sempervirens.