Balearic boxwood

Balearic boxwood or Buxus balearica is a pretty, evergreen shrub holidaymakers used to be able to enjoy admiring at our four-star campsite Les Jardins de La Pascalinette ® in Londe-les-Maures. However, it sadly fell victim to pests and can no longer be found at the campsite or even in the region.

Originating from the Balearic Islands, it still grows in Andalusia, as well as North Africa, Turkey and Sardinia.

Balearic boxwood grows straight and erect. It has many branches, embellished with flat, oval leaves. It can tolerate cold winter temperatures as low as -10°C (although you rarely find such freezing temperatures in the Var area of course!). Its growth is slow and it blooms between May and June. We loved its creamy yellow flowers that exhale a delightful perfume throughout summer.

Its fruits resemble little brown capsules with three prominent little horns, each containing two black seeds.

Very melliferous and producing large quantities of pollen, it is a genuine pantry for bees! It is therefore a vital plant for this precious little insect we strive to protect as part of our eco-friendly policy. But beware, every part of this pretty bush is unfortunately toxic to humans!

As part of our environmental commitment, our gardeners used to use the leaves of the Balearic boxwood as a green fertilizer, which can be worked into the soil once it has been ground up.

Boxwood is reputed for its medicinal properties and, in particular, its anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antidiarrheal and sudorific benefits. It was prescribed for many years to treat syphilis and malaria.

In Christian faith, it bears the name “Blessed wood” as it is traditionally used in Palm Sunday ceremonies in place of olive wood.