Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls - Evergreen Trees Direct

Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls

$770.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 50cm

50cm 70cm 100L

Current Stock Height Guides

50cm: Enquire within for height guide information.
70cm: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 1m to 3m (approx.)

Mature Width: 1m to 1.5m

Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls

Buxus bodinieri, sold as Shaggy Box, is a dense evergreen shrub clipped here into spherical topiary. The small rounded leaves are a deep matt green and sit closely along the stems, so a clipped ball reads as a solid, even surface. Spring flowers are small and cream, and are generally removed by clipping.

It grows in full sun through to part shade, and afternoon shade is worth having in hot inland gardens. Any reasonable soil that drains will do, and it takes light to moderate frost once established. Growth is slow at 10 to 20 centimetres a year, so a finished ball holds its shape well between trims.

Balls are used to frame doorways and gates, mark the ends of a bed, punctuate a path, or sit as a matched pair in pots. In rows they make a low informal hedge at 80 centimetres to 1.5 metres apart. The slow growth means fewer trims a year than most clipped hedging plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Shaggy Box Topiary Ball

What is Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box?

Buxus bodinieri is a box species from China, sold in Australia as Shaggy Box for its slightly looser, more textured foliage than English or Japanese box. It is an evergreen shrub in the family Buxaceae with small rounded deep green leaves. Here it is grown and clipped as ready formed topiary balls.

How big does Shaggy Box grow?

As topiary it is held at the ball diameter it arrives at, and clipping keeps it there for many years. Left unpruned the plant would slowly reach around 2 to 3 metres tall over a long period. Because growth is only 10 to 20 centimetres a year, size is easy to control with routine trimming.

Does it need sun or shade?

It grows well in full sun through to part shade, which is unusually flexible for a formal clipped plant. In hot inland or western districts, protection from harsh afternoon sun keeps the foliage a better colour. In deep shade the growth thins and the ball loses the density that makes topiary work.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes. Once established it handles light to moderate frost without leaf damage, which is why box is used so widely in cool climate and highland gardens across Australia. Newly planted stock should be watered well going into winter, since dry roots in cold weather cause more foliage burn than the frost itself does.

Can it be grown in pots?

Container growing suits it well, and a clipped ball in a pot is one of its most common uses. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide holds a single specimen for courtyards, entries and balconies. Use a quality free draining mix, water consistently through summer, and feed in spring and again in early autumn.

How far apart should I plant them for a hedge?

For a dense informal low hedge, plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart. For a tighter formal hedge line, bring the spacing in to about 80 centimetres so the plants knit together sooner. Where balls are used as repeated accents rather than a hedge, wider spacing of 1.5 to 2 metres reads better.

How do I care for Shaggy Box topiary?

Trim two to three times a year, in spring, early summer and again in early autumn, taking only light growth each time to keep the sphere crisp. Water consistently, as box dislikes drying out completely. Mulch the root zone, feed in spring, and keep air moving around the plants to reduce the risk of box blight.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Shrubs
Screening or Privacy
Groundcovers
Underplanting
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls Evergreen or Deciduous?

Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 1m to 3m (approx.)

Mature Width: 1m to 1.5m

Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls

Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Slow Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls

Is Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls frost tolerant?

Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls Flower?

Buxus bodinieri produces tiny, pale yellow spring flowers that are largely inconspicuous. While subtle, these blooms offer a small amount of pollen for beneficial insects but are not considered ornamental.

Does Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls an Australian Native Tree?

No

Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls is Native to China, where Buxus bodinieri grows in forested mountain areas.

What is the Wildlife Value of Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls ?

Its compact evergreen structure provides excellent shelter for small insects and ground-dwelling creatures, and its early-season flowers support native bees and hoverflies. The dense growth habit also enhances micro-habitats within formal and cottage-style gardens.

How much Sunlight does Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls need?

Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Buxus bodinieri performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained ground unless improved with organic matter to enhance drainage and reduce compaction. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the plant matures and maintains its strong topiary shape.

Is Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls Drought Tolerant?

Is Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it benefits from regular watering, but once established Buxus bodinieri develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs well in low-water garden settings and maintains its dense, shaggy topiary form with occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Pot or container: A 40 to 50 centimetre wide pot suits a single specimen for courtyards, entries and balconies.

Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (approx.).

Slow Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 3 to 5 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone in the garden, or a thin layer of decorative pebbles in pots, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection for psyllids or scale in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box Topiary Balls in Different Soil

Buxus bodinieri performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I trim the topiary? For a neat appearance, trim 2-3 times a year.
Can they be grown in containers? Yes, these topiary balls thrive in containers, making them ideal for patios and entranceways.