Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Borderline'

Korean Boxwood

Plant Type:

SHRUBS

Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Borderline' - Beautiful variegated Japanese Boxwood sports glossy rounded leaves with warm golden yellow margins upon emergence. Developing leaves are a rich, saturated green. As they mature the gold halo ages to cream-white. This is a larger growing shrub, not to be confused with the magnificent dwarf Morris selections or Kingsville ('Compacta'); 'Borderline' harbors the potential to stretch to 6 to 8 feet tall and as wide as 10 to 12+ feet slowly over a long period of time. But, it's a boxwood and takes well to pruning, shaping and any god-forbidden contortion the control freaks can and will muster because madness manifests in many forms... just sayin'; I know I'm in trouble here. Okay okay - aesthetics are subjective and I'm an old hippy. All Buxus microphylla demonstrate good resistance to boxwood blight. This will make a fetching specimen and will definitely find utility as a hedge or hedged element in a formal garden scheme (a concession)... the control freaks have the last word. Fertile, draining soil in half to full, open shade. Probably best to avoid blazing afternoon sun is our guess. And in the northern tier of its range shelter from desiccating winter wind is likely wise. Established potted boxwood from cutting.


Height:

6-8 ft

Spread:

10-12 ft

Zone:

(5b)6 to 9
What is my hardiness zone?
Item Description Price  
BUXBOR Buxus microphylla v. jap. 'Borderline' (true 5-inch Squat Square) $22.00


Characteristics and Attributes for Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Borderline'

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Four Seasons

Nature Attraction

  • Deer Resistant

Light

  • Sun Tolerant
  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Full Sun

Attributes

  • Shrub Border
  • Hedge
  • Formal Garden
  • Border
  • Foundation
  • Evergreen
  • Screen
  • Cutting Garden

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Moist
  • Acid
  • Fertile

Origins

  • Garden Origin

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown

Genus Overview: Buxus

The Boxwoods are a very useful group of broadleaf evergreen shrubs having, depending upon ultimate size, many landscape applications. They prefer fertile soils on the acid side of the Ph spectrum. Boxwoods tend to be shallow-rooted and benefit from organic mulches. Most can be grown in full sun conditions but are happier in part shade. The smaller growing Korean Boxwoods, Buxus microphylla, seem to hold their foliage color better in part winter shade. The English Boxwoods, B. sempervirens, are the larger growing members of the clan and benefit from wind protection especially in winter. All of the following offerings are cutting grown. (Spring Only)