Box
Buxus sempervirens
An ornamental plant, planted September to May, or sown March or September to November.
In September: mulch the box. It can be sown under cover or planted now. Take care handling it: all parts may irritate the skin.
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Box, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none |
| Plant a pot-grown box. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Plant a bare-root box. | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Feed the box. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Mulch the box. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Trim the box. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Handle it with care
Take care handling it: all parts may irritate the skin.
Weaker source: Woodland Trust.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover March, and September to November. Moderate source: RHS.
Plant a pot-grown box March to May, and September to November, 30 to 40cm apart. Moderate source: RHS.
Plant a bare-root box December to February, 30 to 40cm apart. Moderate source: RHS.
Feed the box
Use a general-purpose fertiliser, then mulch the base with rotted manure or garden compost.
Usually March to May. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Mulch the box
Spread a thick layer of well-rotted garden compost over the root zone.
Usually March to May, and September to November. Moderate source: RHS.
Trim the box
Trim to shape once new shoots have hardened and growth has slowed, so it stays neat through winter.
Usually August. Moderate source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.Weaker: a blog, a forum, a small website or a page from outside the UK. Treat it as a guide.
What not to do
Don’t trim box early in summer
An early trim brings a flush of soft growth that the weather can damage. Trim in late summer.
Moderate source: RHS.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Box” comes from.