Eggarton Cottages, Eggarton Lane, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DY
Tel/Fax: 01227 730242
Hardy perennial evergreen with small, glossy oval leaves. Pale green, petalless flowers appear in spring. If left to its own devises, Box can grow to 15 ft (5 m) high. However, it is often kept trimmed below that, particularly when used for topiary or as edging in herb and knot gardens. In fact, Box has been used for topiary creations since antiquity. As its name suggests, it wood was once used to make boxes.
The plant has connections with grave decoration and funerals � sprigs of Box were placed outside homes where there was a funeral and mourners would take a sprig and drop it later into the grave.
It is now considered too toxic to be used in herbal medicine, although it is still used in homeopathy to treat rheumatism. Box leaves can be used to make a hairdye and bark can be used to make perfume.
Plant in sun or shade, well-drained soil. If planting a hedge, plant 8 ins (20 cm) apart. Cut back hard to encourage new growth in spring. Trim to shape in summer.
*This sheet is provided for information only and is in no way a prescription for use. Please seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using*