Box (Buxus sempervirens) is one of the oldest plants in English gardening. No surprise then that is was already well established in the 18th century.
Philip Miller on Box (Buxus sempervirens)
Box grows in great Plenty upon Box-hill near Dorking in Surry, where were formerly large Trees of these kinds; but of late they have been pretty much destroyed; yet there are great numbers of the Trees remaining, which are of a considerable bigness.
The Wood of this Tree is very useful for Turners, Engravers, and Mathematically instrument makers, the Wood being so hard, close, and ponderous, as to sink in Water, which renders it very valuable for diverse utensils.
All the Varieties of the Tree or large Box (Buxus sempervirens) are proper to intermix in Clumps of Evergreens, &c. where they add to the Variety of such Plantations.
These Trees are a very great Ornament to cold and barren Soils, where few other things will grow.
The Dwarf Kind of Box is used for bordering of Flower-beds, or Borders ; for which Purpose it far exceeds any other Plant, it being subject to no Injuries from Cold or Heat, and is of a long Duration, is very easily kept handsome, and, by the Firmness of its Rooting, keeps the Mould in the Borders from warning into the Gravel-walks more effectually than any Plant whatever: this is increased by parting the Roots, or planting the Slips ; but as it makes so great an Increase of itself, and so easily parts, it is hardly worthwhile to plant the Slips that have no Roots ; but it is now become so common, that it may be purchased from the Nurseries at a cheap Rate.
The manner of planting this in Edgings, &c. is so well understood by every working Gardener, that it would be needless to mention anything of that kind here.
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