One particular variety we prefer is the ‘ Winter Gem‘. This plant is much more resistant to cold than both the Japanese and European boxwood, and it will stay green and healthy all the way down to minus 20 or 25 degrees Fahrenheit. These two names in fact refer to the same plant, but their usage creates a lot of confusion. insularis, but in older material it is often listed as Buxus microphylla var. Today it is correctly known as Buxus sinica var. The second Asian species of importance is the Korean, or Chinese boxwood. It is also known as littleleaf boxwood, and it is the most reliable form for hot areas, growing well in zones 9 and 10, although it is also hardy to zone 6. The first is Japanese Boxwood, Buxus microphylla, which is usually available in dwarf forms, growing slowly to just a few feet in height. There are two main species of boxwood in Asia. With these plants, you may become confused by names, and think there are more of them than there really are. ![]() If you live in colder areas, or hotter ones, then looking across the Pacific to Asia will provide more suitable plants. ![]() If you live in those zones, these are great plants, and you hardly need to look further to choose suitable boxwood. The problem with European boxwood is that it is not especially resistant to either cold or heat, so it grows best in zones 6 to 8. It can also be clipped into small globes. It is the perfect choice for a low hedge, 8 to 18 inches tall, that could edge flower beds or pathways. It has denser growth, is slower growing and takes years to reach 3 or 4 feet in height. The English boxwood is a dwarf variety of the same species, Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’. ![]() This shrub can grow to 10 feet tall, and is a great choice for a taller hedge, or for taller clipped specimens. Perhaps because it was brought to America as long ago as 1653, it is often called American boxwood. ‘Semper-virens’ means ‘always-green’ and this is an evergreen bush with small, round leaves. The first and probably most important is the European boxwood, Buxus sempervirens. There are two main kinds of boxwood used in gardens, as well as hybrids between these two main plants. Choosing the right plant is easy, once you know a little about the main types. Let’s look at boxwood, and bring some order to them. However, for new gardeners the wide variety of boxwood offered by nurseries can leave them confused and wondering what to do, or worse, buying the wrong plant.
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