Welcome to our Colorful History of Boxwoood! We've been blessed to have a young research assistant who works in Special Collections at the Museum of Boxwood History prepare this very "colorful" history of boxwood.
She writes: "Anyone can do a simple search and learn that boxwood has many symbolic values such as:
Longevity: Boxwood is a slow-growing plant, and can take five years or more to reach a height that can be trimmed into a topiary hedge.
Solidity, loyalty, and class: Boxwood is often seen in castles and palaces, and symbolizes these qualities.
Resilience: Boxwood is a testament to resilience and longevity.
Honor: In the Middle Ages, boxwood's dense foliage and robust nature made it a symbol of honor in heraldry, often featured on coats of arms.
Eternal life: Boxwood is an evergreen, and has long been considered a symbol of eternal life.
Resurrection: In the Christian faith, boxwood is associated with the resurrection and was central to Palm Sunday ceremonies.
Holidays: Boxwood is also used in holiday traditions, such as making wreaths and small trees to decorate for the Christmas season
But my research in the archives at the Special Collections of Museum of Boxwood History led to previously unknown facts about the colorful history of boxwood which I present in the timeline below."
A Colorful History of Boxwood Timeline
1962: The Holiday Magic Boxwood Tree Company creates "The Golden Dove" boxwood tree. The tree is loved by customers for its lovely dove topper and becomes the best seller for two decades. The tree was retired in 1985 and is now enshrined in the New England Boxwood Tree Hall of Fame.
1969: The “Christmas Cardinal” boxwood tree is onstage at Woodstock during Janis Joplin’s performance.
1978: The Studio 54 nightclub in New York City gives the “Blue Blizzard” boxwood tree at Christmas to its annual members.
1985: The Holiday Magic Boxwood Tree Company creates "The Christmas Bluebird" boxwood tree. The tree was renowned for a lovely bluebird beginning to take flight at top of the tree. Customers loved this tree so much it became a legendary champion of Christmas Cheer. The tree was retired in 2005 and is now enshrined in the New England Boxwood Tree Hall of Fame.
1985: A special edition of Pac-Man features the little robot eating the “Dazzling Delights” boxwood trees.
1991: The “Merry Mistletoe” boxwood tree is featured in the Rugrats Christmas special.
2000: In a wild celebration over Y2K not ending the world, the “Traditional” boxwood tree was presented to Britney Spears on her "Oops!... I Did It Again" tour.
2005:The Holiday Magic Boxwood Tree Company creates "The Christmas Joy" boxwood tree. Students of boxwood tree history were astonished when this unconventional tree with its silver ribbon, pink and silver ornaments and white flocked pine cones became a pop culture icon for several years. The tree's path to Hall of Fame glory is controversial since its days as a best seller were fleeting. The tree remains in the Holiday Magic Boxwood Tree catalog and has been nominated for consideration in the New England Boxwood Tree Hall of Fame for 2025.
2008: An infamous scene from the movie Iron Man where Virginia "Pepper" Potts gives Tony Stark a “Yuletide Treasures” boxwood tree after an overly amorous moment together is left on the cutting room floor.
2010:The Holiday Magic Boxwood Tree Company creates "The Holiday Magic" boxwood tree, the greatest selling tree in boxwood history. Loved by all, this traditional tree has been the top seller for 14 years and looks to challenge the "Golden Dove" as the longest best seller for the company. The tree is a sure bet to be enshrined in the New England Boxwood Tree Hall of Fame.
2018: The Miss America pageant ends the swimsuit competition and replaces it with a poetry contest based on writing the best poem about the “Christmas Cappuccino” boxwood tree
2024: The Holiday Magic Boxwood Tree Company introduces the "Candy Cane Celebration" boxwood tree. Graduate students doing research on market trends believe this tree will surpass the “Holiday Magic” in sales over the next five years. Seasoned observers of boxwood tree history remain skeptical.
We Hope you Enjoyed This Touch Of Light-Hardheartedness!
Happy Holidays From,
Our Family at Holiday Magic to You and Yours