Korean Box (Buxus microphylla ‘Koreana’) is a hardy evergreen shrub that has become a favourite for low hedges and borders. With its lighter green foliage and naturally soft, slightly weeping growth habit, it creates a more relaxed look than many other box varieties while still responding well to regular clipping.
Although it can be trimmed into neat formal shapes, Korean Box is particularly suited to informal hedges where its rounded growth habit can be appreciated. It is also regarded as one of the hardier box varieties, coping well with drought once established and performing well in both full sun and light shade.
Quick Facts
Botanical Name: Buxus microphylla ‘Koreana’
- Common Name: Korean Box
- Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
- Height: 50–60 cm
- Spread: 50–60 cm
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Position: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Well-drained, improved soil
- Water Requirements: Moderate while establishing, low once established
- Best Uses: Low hedges, edging, borders, formal and informal gardens
Growing Korean Box
Korean Box is easy to grow and performs best in a well-drained soil enriched with compost or other organic matter before planting.
Choose a position in full sun or light shade. While it grows happily in sunny positions, the foliage often remains a fresher green when given some afternoon shade in warmer climates.
Water regularly during the establishment period, then only occasionally during extended dry spells.
Apply a quality slow-release fertiliser in spring to encourage healthy new growth.
Mulching around the plants will help conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Planting a Hedge
For a dense hedge, plant at approximately four plants per metre, spacing plants around 20–25 cm apart.
Where an instant effect is required, particularly in commercial landscaping projects, spacing can be reduced to around six plants per metre.
Water well after planting and apply a general-purpose slow-release fertiliser to encourage strong establishment.
Pruning
Korean Box responds well to pruning and should be clipped from a young age to encourage dense, bushy growth.
Unlike some other Buxus species, its naturally relaxed growth habit lends itself to soft rounded forms rather than very upright formal shapes.
Regular light trimming throughout the growing season will maintain a neat hedge while preserving healthy foliage.
Landscaping Uses
Korean Box is widely used for low hedges, borders and edging pathways.
Its softer appearance makes it particularly useful in cottage gardens and informal landscapes, while its tolerance of clipping allows it to be incorporated into more formal garden designs.
It also performs well in mass plantings and can be grown successfully in large containers.
Common Problems
Korean Box is generally hardy and easy to grow.
Poor drainage can lead to root problems, so avoid heavy, waterlogged soils.
Regular pruning encourages dense growth and helps maintain good air circulation through the plant.
Other Evergreen Hedge Plants
If you’re looking for alternatives to Korean Box, consider:
- Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla japonica)
- English Box (Buxus sempervirens)
- Buxus Sempervirens Graham Blandy – An upright Buxus variety
- Lonicera nitida
- Murraya paniculata for taller hedges
- Westringia fruticosa for a hardy Australian native option.
- Buxus Varieties
Where To Buy
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au
email [email protected]
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au