Schaefferia frutescens Florida Boxwood

Schaefferia frutescens Florida Boxwood1 Edward F. Gilman2

Introduction

Florida boxwood is usually found close to the tidewater area on sandy soil and hammocks (Fig. 1). Although large specimens can grow to 30 feet tall, most are seen as small to medium-sized shrubs. Smallish leaves borne close together make the plant look similar to the well known boxwood famous in English gardens. Leaves are yellow-green and rolled over slightly along the margins. Small, greenish white flowers are borne in the leaf axils in compact clusters. Fruits turn from green to yellow then bright red. The bark is smooth grey or brown. The yellow wood is used in boxes and for carving when it becomes available.

General Information

Scientific name: Schaefferia frutescens

Pronunciation: sheff-FEER-ree-uh froo-TESS-senz Common name(s): Florida boxwood

Family: Celastraceae

Plant type: tree

USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Fig. 2)

Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round

Origin: native to Florida

Uses: reclamation plant; superior hedge; near a deck or patio; espalier; recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; screen; border

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

Figure 1. Florida boxwood

Description

Height: 15 to 25 feet Spread: 10 to 15 feet Plant habit: oval Plant density: dense Growth rate: fast Texture: fine

1. This document is FPS540, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date September 1999. Revised September 2007. Reviewed June 2011. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean

Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: elliptic (oval) Leaf venation: pinnate

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no fall color change

Fall characteristic: not showy Flower

Flower color: greenish-white

Flower characteristic: spring flowering

Fruit

Fruit shape: round

Fruit length: less than .5 inch

Fruit cover: fleshy

Fruit color: yellow

Fruit characteristic: persists on the plant

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping stems; not particularly showy

Current year stem/twig color: green

Current year stem/twig thickness: thin

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun Soil tolerances: well-drained; alkaline; sand; loam; clay Drought tolerance: high

Soil salt tolerances: good

Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches Other

Roots: usually not a problem

Winter interest: no special winter interest

Outstanding

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