No longer guaranteed by local nurseries due to boxwood blight; only listed here because of its ubiquity. Less sensitive to pests/diseases than B. sempervirens, but does not grow anywhere near as large.
Plants formerly classified as Buxus microphylla var. koreana (Korean boxwood) are now known as B. sinica var. insularis; they tend to be hardier but slower-growing.
Less dense in full shade, but foliage in full sun is more likely to scorch/bronze and more susceptible to mites.
Flower scent is divisive.
Var. japonica is much darker green, holds it better in winter, grows faster, and may be more adaptable to different exposures.
'Green Beauty' is greener than the species in summer heat and stays that way in the winter as well. 'Winter Gem' is said to be the hardiest of the Japanese varieties (even though UConn calls it a Korean variety). 'Green Velvet' has earned the PHS Gold Medal Award.
Sources: Sunset, Stoecklein, Missouri BG, UConn, Dirr, Odenwald/Turner.
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