Buxus wallichiana

Buxus wallichiana, or Himalayan box, belongs to the box family, Buxaceae. This evergreen shrub comes from temperate parts of Asia. Kew gives its range as eastern Afghanistan to northern Thailand. Plants For A Future lists Afghanistan, Nepal and Pakistan. In the wild, it grows in steep, shaded, rocky ravines. Plants often grow together in these sites. Its recorded habitat lies at elevations of 5,906–8,858 feet [1,800–2,700 metres].

In gardens, the shrub reaches about 6.6 feet [2 metres] tall. Its spread also reaches about 6.6 feet [2 metres]. Growth is slow, so a hedge takes time to fill. The leaves stay on the plant throughout the year. They give off a strong smell, most marked when wet. Flowers appear from April to May. Each plant bears separate male and female flowers. Bees and flies carry pollen between the flowers.

This shrub grows in sun or light shade. It suits woodland gardens, shaded edges and hedges. It prefers moist ground that lets excess water drain away. It accepts sandy soil, loam and clay when drainage is good. It also grows in chalky ground. Reported soil tolerance spans pH 5.5 to 7.4. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 7–10. It reports cold tolerance near 14°F [−10°C]. The same source describes it as hardy across much of Britain.

Himalayan box tolerates pruning well, which supports its use for hedges. Its wood is hard, durable and fine-grained. Craftspeople use it for engraving, detailed carving and mathematical instruments. Seed and cuttings offer ways to raise new plants. Fresh seed can go into a cold frame after ripening. Stored seed may take longer to sprout. Cold treatment can make germination more even, but is not essential. Young seedlings need greenhouse shelter during their first winter. Both heel cuttings and spring nodal cuttings can prove difficult.

Plants For A Future records no known food uses. It also reports no known hazards; this does not establish safety. Its medicinal account describes historical uses of wood, leaves and bark. These include treatments intended to cause sweating or reduce fever. It also records purgative use of the leaves. These reports do not establish safe or effective home treatments. The source does not flag the species as weedy.