Boxwood shrubs (genus Buxus) are among the most popular evergreen landscape plants, frequently used for formal hedges and topiary due to their dense foliage and slow growth habit. They are prized for maintaining their rich, dark green color throughout the seasons. Despite their widespread use, a common misconception persists about whether boxwoods actually produce flowers. This article addresses that question, explaining why the blooms are often overlooked and detailing the unique characteristics and ecological function of these floral structures.
The Definitive Answer: Yes, Boxwoods Do Bloom
The direct answer is that boxwood shrubs are indeed flowering plants, belonging to the genus Buxus. The reason many gardeners remain unaware of this fact lies in the bloom’s morphology, which is inconspicuous and non-showy. These floral structures lack the large, colorful petals that define more noticeable garden blossoms, leading to the common misconception that the plant is strictly foliage.
They are adapted to blend seamlessly with the thick, dark evergreen leaves, making them visually camouflaged. A casual observer will likely miss the blooms entirely because they are small and are typically nestled within the leaf axils of the dense canopy. The thick, small leaves that make the boxwood so valued for formal hedges also serve to hide the tiny floral clusters from easy view.
Describing the Boxwood Flower
A closer examination reveals that the flowers are grouped in dense, small clusters, typically measuring less than half an inch in diameter. Each cluster is architecturally complex, generally consisting of a central female (pistillate) flower tightly surrounded by several male (staminate) flowers. This arrangement means the plant is monoecious, possessing both male and female reproductive parts on the same shrub.
The color of these blooms is often pale yellow, greenish-yellow, or creamy white, further contributing to their lack of visual impact. Since the flowers do not have true petals, their appearance is dominated by the reproductive organs. Much of the visible color comes from the yellowish-green anthers of the male flowers as they emerge to shed pollen.
The flower’s reproductive success relies on a distinctive, strong fragrance that many people find musky or even unpleasant. The smell is frequently reported as malodorous and is a reliable indicator that the shrub is in full bloom. This powerful scent is a biological adaptation designed to attract insect pollinators, compensating for the flowers’ lack of visual appeal.
The Timing and Role of Boxwood Blooms
Boxwoods typically flower early in the growing season, often in late winter or early spring, sometimes before new foliage growth even begins. This specific timing is purposeful, allowing the reproductive process to occur when the shrubs are not yet fully obscured by new leaves and before many other plants are in bloom. Depending on the specific cultivar and the local climate, the bloom period can start as early as February or March, signaling the transition into spring.
The function of the bloom is to facilitate pollination, which is achieved through a combination of insect activity and wind dispersion. The strong fragrance attracts various insects, particularly honey bees, which gather pollen and nectar from the exposed anthers. Once pollination is successful, the fertilized female flowers begin to develop into small, inconspicuous fruits.
These fruits are typically three-lobed, green capsules that take several months to mature over the summer. By mid-summer, the dried capsules split open. This action forcibly discharges the small, shiny black seeds away from the parent plant, completing the boxwood’s reproductive cycle.