Botanical Name: Buxus microphylla var. japonica āFaulknerā
Common Names: Faulkner Boxwood, Faulkner Japanese Box, Japanese Boxwood, Box Hedge
š Product Description
Buxus microphylla var. japonica āFaulknerā is a dense, compact evergreen shrub prized for its fine-textured foliage and naturally rounded growth habit. Its small, glossy green leaves and tidy form make it one of the best choices for neat hedging, formal borders, and clipped topiary in the garden.
This hardy boxwood is highly versatile and works beautifully in formal landscapes, courtyard gardens, low hedges, edging, and container planting. Its naturally dense branching responds well to trimming, allowing it to be shaped into crisp lines or decorative forms with ease. In South African gardens, it is valued for its year-round structure, evergreen colour, and low-maintenance appeal.
Neat, dependable, and elegant, Buxus microphylla var. japonica āFaulknerā is an excellent choice for gardeners wanting a refined evergreen shrub for formal structure and long-lasting garden definition.
š Size When Fully Grown
Height: 1ā1.5 m
Spread: 1ā1.5 m
Growth Habit: Dense, rounded, compact evergreen shrub
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
š± Best Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil enriched with compost
Water:
⢠Water regularly during establishment
⢠Keep soil moderately moist but not waterlogged
⢠More drought tolerant once established
⢠Benefits from occasional deep watering during prolonged dry periods
Feeding: Feed in spring with compost or a balanced slow-release fertiliser to support dense, healthy foliage.
Maintenance:
⢠Clip lightly as needed to maintain shape
⢠Ideal for hedging and topiary
⢠Remove dead or weak inner growth if needed
⢠Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and keep roots cool
š¦ļø Planting & Growing Season (South Africa)
Best Planting Time: Spring or autumn
Active Growth: Spring and summer
Climate Suitability: Suitable for most South African regions, especially temperate and mild inland areas
Frost Tolerance: Tolerates light to moderate frost once established
Wind Tolerance: Best in sheltered to moderately exposed positions
š¼ Additional Benefits
⢠Dense evergreen foliage
⢠Excellent for formal hedging
⢠Naturally neat rounded habit
⢠Suitable for topiary and clipping
⢠Low maintenance and long-lived
šæ Ideal Uses
ā Low hedges and borders
ā Formal garden design
ā Topiary shapes
ā Courtyard planting
ā Patio containers