Of this somewhat extensive and popular genus, the only ligneous species hardy enough for open-air culture in Britain is chamoebuxus, a pretty dwarf evergreen, found wild in several countries of continental Europe, particularly Austria, where in some districts it occurs in great abundance, growing in mountain forests and on heaths.

It is one of the most useful of our diminutive peat-soil shrubs, its dense dwarf habit of growth, never exceeding a few inches in height, elegant box-like foliage, and thorough hardiness, admirably adapting it for the margins of beds, or as an edging plant in the American garden; while it may be associated in mixed beds with Heaths, Menziesias, and other plants of similar habit, with the happiest effect.

With the ordinary soil and treatment necessary for the other American plants it thrives to perfection, and seldom fails to produce its gay light-yellow flowers profusely during the greater part of the summer.