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Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Baby Gem' (Japanese boxwood 'Baby Gem')

Other names: Small-leaved boxwood 'Baby Gem', Buxus microphylla subsp. asiaticum 'Gregem', Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Gregem'

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Variety or Cultivar
'Baby Gem' is a rounded to mound-forming, evergreen shrub with small, ovate, mid- to dark green leaves, bright green when young, and insignificant, greenish-white flowers in spring. Read more...
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1.2 m 1.2 m 5-10 years
3 ft 3 ft 5-10 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Shade
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant in well-drained soil, ideally in partial shade. Avoid scorch from sun and strong winds. If using for topiary or hedging, plant young plants just below the nursery soil mark to encourage growth from the base.

Suggested uses

Containers/Patio, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, City, Drought Tolerant, Hedging/Screens, Garden edging, Instant

UK hardiness

H6

USDA zones

Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

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

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Moderate/Medium
Central Valley = Moderate/Medium
South Coastal = Moderate/Medium
South Inland = Moderate/Medium
High and Intermediate Desert = Moderate/Medium
Low Desert = Moderate/Medium

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Cushion or Mound Forming, Rounded

Native to

Garden origin

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Ingestion may cause stomach upset. Contact may cause skin irritation.

Plant care

Pruning

As an informal hedge, box requires little pruning. Formal hedges and topiary can be cut back hard when young to encourage bushy growth and then trimmed in late spring and late summer each year.

Propagation methods

Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings

Pests

Box sucker

Mussel scale

Red spider mite (box and other)

Diseases

Box blights

Leaf spot

Prune out unsightly shoots only (only when needed)

Take softwood cuttings

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Plant in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soils

Pruning topiary shapes

Plant in partial or full shade (autumn or spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Buxus

Companion plants (1)

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Narcissus asturiensis
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Narcissus asturiensis Pygmy daffodil
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Related content

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