Habitat

• native to southern Europe, western Asia, northern Africa
• zone 5 with use of proper cultivars
• long used in cultivation

Habit and Form

• evergreen shrub
• 15' to 20' tall with an equal spread
• dense and multibranched
• most often develops a gumdrop shaped form

Summer Foliage

• opposite leaves, leathery
• elliptical, 0.5" to 1" long half as wide
• leaves broadest below the middle
• dark green above, lighter yellow green below
• foliage gives off a distinct fragrance/odor
• underside of leaves has a white line from apex to base

Autumn Foliage

• evergreen, no fall color
• foliage tends to "bronze" in the winter due to cold and exposure

Flowers

• blooms in April to May
• Male and female flowers
• fragrant, but not showy
• attractive to bees

Fruit

• dehiscent 3 chambered capsule
• not of any ornamental importance

Bark

• new stems are greenish and slightly 4-angled
• older stems are brown, but hidden by foliage

Culture

• prefers moist, cool soil with mulch around roots
• best in site with full sun or light shade, but protect from winter winds, sun and cold.
• can be easily and readily pruned
• do not prune late in season as this enhances winter injury
• best transplanted form containers
• in summary, does best in an environment free from extremes
• shallow rooted so avoid cultivation beneath plants

Landscape Use

• hedge plant
• foundation plant
• mass plantings
• topiary
• formal plantings
• generally agreed to offer good deer resistance

Liabilities

• lack of cold hardiness in all sites of zone 5
• boxwood psyllid, boxwood leaf minor, boxwood mite , nematodes and phytophthora root rot can be problems as well as other insects and diseases
• foliar burn in exposed sites or during harsh winters
• foliage produces a distinct fragrance some dislike

ID Features

• opposite leaves distinguish it from Ilex crenata which has similar appearance, but alternate leaves
• elliptical dark green, small leaves
• distinct "boxwood" odor
• dense evergreen habit
• notched leaf apex
• gumdrop shape
• slightly squared stem
• white line on underside of leaf

Propagation

• cuttings root readily

Cultivars/Varieties

There are dozens of cultivars, but many are not cold hardy enough for use in zone 5. the cultivars discussed below have merit for use in zone 5 and 6.

'Argenteo-variegata' - A varigated white cultivar, very striking with its fine-textured leaves. Other variegated forms include 'Elegantissima' and 'Variegata'. Most grow to 6' tall. May not be as hardy as other types.

'Inglis', 'Northern Beauty', 'Northern Find', 'Northland', and 'Welleri' - These forms posses sufficient cold-hardiness and good form to be considered for for use in New England.

'Graham Blandy' - A very unusual fastigiate form becoming more prevalent in the industry. Grows as a narrow column of deep green leaves, to 9' tall but only 2' wide. May not be as hardy as other types.

'Pendula' - A type with weeping branches that forms a small 6' tree in time. Not widely available and perhaps not as hardy.

'Suffrutiosa' - A dense, compact slow-growing form ideal for low hedge use. Believed to be less susceptible to boxwood leaf miner. An old and commonly used cultivar, widely available.

'Vardar Valley' - A low growing form reaching 2' to 3' tall and 4' to 5' wide. Probably cold hardy to -15^o F without injury. Slow-growing and mounded, this form is very popular and widely available.