Pollinator plant

Common box

Buxus sempervirens

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Common names

40 names · 29 languages
EnglishYour language
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (28)
Dutch
French
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Arabic
  • شمشاد دائم الخضرة[6]
Basque
  • Ezpel arrunta[6]
Belarusian
  • Самшыт вечназялёны[6]
Bourbonnais
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 锦熟黄杨[6]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 匙葉黃楊[6]
  • 錦熟黄楊[6]
Czech
  • zimostráz vždyzelený[6]
Danish
Estonian
  • harilik pukspuu[6]
Finnish
Galician
German
Hungarian
  • Örökzöld puszpáng[6]
Italian
Japanese
  • セイヨウツゲ[6]
Lithuanian
  • Paprastasis buksmedis[6]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Bukszpan wieczniezielony[6]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Самшит вечнозелёный[6]
Slovak
  • krušpán vždyzelený[6]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
Ukrainian
  • Самшит вічнозелений[6]
Sources & name notes (6)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Buxus sempervirens — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Common Box — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Boxwood — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Common Boxwood — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Buxus sempervirens.
  • European Box — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Buxus sempervirens.
[2] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • common box — Page 1, column 2, row top 652 pt; common-name cell after Buxus sempervirens.; Buxus sempervirens.
[3] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • common box — Page 2, column 1, row top 712 pt; common-name cell after Buxus sempervirens.; Buxus sempervirens.
[4] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • common box — Page 2, column 1, row top 412 pt; common-name cell after Buxus sempervirens.; Buxus sempervirens.
[5] Buxus sempervirens — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • common box — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buchsbaum — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Box — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • boxwood — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • European box — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Boj — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Bois béni — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buis commun — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buis sempervirent — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buis toujours vert — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Bosso comune — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buksboom — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buxus — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Palmboompje — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buxo — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
[6] Buxus sempervirens — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • common box — results[5].names[1]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buchsbaum — results[5].names[4]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Box — results[5].names[5]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • boxwood — results[5].names[3]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • European box — results[5].names[2]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Boj — results[5].names[9]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Bois béni — results[5].names[32]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buis commun — results[5].names[10]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buis sempervirent — results[5].names[31]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buis toujours vert — results[5].names[30]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Bosso comune — results[5].names[8]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buksboom — results[5].names[34]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buxus — results[5].names[15]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Palmboompje — results[5].names[16]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buxo — results[5].names[6]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • boix — results[5].names[7]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • zimostráz vždyzelený — results[5].names[11]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Самшит вечнозелёный — results[5].names[12]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Örökzöld puszpáng — results[5].names[13]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • شمشاد دائم الخضرة — results[5].names[14]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • buksbom — results[5].names[17]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Paprastasis buksmedis — results[5].names[18]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Buksbom — results[5].names[19]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • セイヨウツゲ — results[5].names[20]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Bukszpan wieczniezielony — results[5].names[21]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • buxbom — results[5].names[22]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • 锦熟黄杨 — results[5].names[23]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • harilik pukspuu — results[5].names[24]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • 錦熟黄楊 — results[5].names[25]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Rameau — results[5].names[26]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Bouis — results[5].names[27]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Самшыт вечназялёны — results[5].names[28]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Самшит вічнозелений — results[5].names[29]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Şimşir — results[5].names[33]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • isopuksi — results[5].names[35]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • krušpán vždyzelený — results[5].names[36]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • Ezpel arrunta — results[5].names[37]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • 匙葉黃楊 — results[5].names[38]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
  • buxe — results[5].names[39]; taxon id 133397; Buxus sempervirens.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Botanical family
Buxaceae

Genus-level classification for Buxus; this does not confirm the complete catalogue name.

Sources [1]
Taxonomy
NC State Extension publishes a profile under Buxus sempervirens.

Profile-name match; no accepted-name status is asserted.

Sources [2]
Mature height
1.52–6.1 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
1.52–4.57 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Dense; Multi-stemmed; Rounded

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Slow

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Wet

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Buxus sempervirens in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3] [4] [5]
Native range
Europe to N. Iran, N. Africa.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [6]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Plant profile

About this plant

Common box (Buxus sempervirens) is a shrub. It flowers from March to April.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Buxus — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1889840; ID 62HXK; rank genus; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Buxus sempervirens — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: TaxonomyMature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering season
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Main botanical heading (h1)
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Wildflowers

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Buxus sempervirens (top 712 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Buxus sempervirens (top 412 pt)

    Source checked on .

  5. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Plants Of The World

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 1, column 2, entry Buxus sempervirens (top 652 pt)

    Source checked on .

  6. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Buxus sempervirens — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 1332915; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1226149, 1226150, 1226151, 1226152, 1226153, 1226154, 1226155, 1226156, 1226157, 1226158, 1226159, 1226161, 1226162, 1226164, 1226165, 1226166, 1226167, 1226168, 1226173, 1226174, 1226175, 1226176

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.