Common box is a vigorous evergreen bushy upright shrub or small tree it has small rounded to oblong glossy dark green leaves growing details common name common box genus buxus species sempervirens skill level beginner exposure full sun partial shade hardiness hardy soil type well drainedlight clayheavy acidic chalkyalkaline height 500cm spread 500cm time to take cuttings april to july description the species typically grows on soils derived from chalk limestone usually