LOL! Well I guess it would help if I included the pictures..huh? Sorry about that. Here they are:

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Thanks again! Eileen

of course .. though NOT a conifer.. its is an evergreen ...

a shrub??

doesnt matter most those sperts are over here ...

congrats on the pix

no clue.. ken

Thanks Ken! Good suggestion...I will post it at the shrub forum and see if someone can ID it.

Eileen

Doesn't look like European Box (Buxus sempervirens), the leaves are too slender and pointed at the apex for that, so presumably one of the eastern Asian species. Maybe Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla)?

Resin

I think you are probably going to want to know the cultivar too. This is almost an impossible task considering there are "Green Gem", "Green Mountain", "Green Velvet","Green Beauty".... and the list goes on.
I'd suggest the best thing for you to do is take a sample and go to a nursery that has a few cultivars and look for a good match.
My best guess on your picture and for what you are looking for as far as hardiness is concerned would be Buxus x "Green Velvet". Ya it's a cross too, and it fairs very well in zone 5.

Nate

Thank you Nate & Resin!

You are right Nate, I really am looking for the paritcular cultivar name. I remember going through a long list of cultivars at the time, trying to find one that wouldn't burn in winter and this was the cultivar I chose for that reason. I can't believe I didn't save the tag or have it on my Master List. I'm usually very good about that. The pleasant surprise wasn't *just* that it didn't winter burn, but that it's such a solid little plant this boxwood; with a well groomed natural form, handsome, healthy foliage, and easy care to boot. 'Green Velvet' does sound like a possibility. I know for sure it isn't Green Mountain or Green Beauty. I will bring a piece to the nurseries with me. That is a great suggestion...now why didn't I think of that. :-) Thanks!

Eileen

All the Korean boxwoods (Buxus microphylla var. koreana) are quite hardy and very resistant to winter discoloration as are the koreana/sempervirens hybrids. But there are scads of cultivars out there, many of which are quite compact as well. Selling some dozen or so boxwood cultivars myself, it is not the easiest thing to discern between the specific cultivars of Korean box or Korean box hybrids and I'd be very impressed with someone that can, especially with only a twig to determine. You may just have to bite the bullet and and select another, very similar cultivar.

They look like ours that are called 'Winter Green' or 'Green Gem' I believe... not sure... ours are 7 years old also and appear to be the same size as yours. Nate is right though, it will be difficult as there are SO many cultivars out there. I will have to dig out our original landscaper's blueprints now to check the exact name...

Thanks Guys...You're the best! Coniferfreak I think you may have found it for me. I looked up Buxus microphylla var.Koreana 'Green Gem' and the pics and description sound spot on: "Noted for rounded globular shape & extreme winter hardiness, seldom needs pruning."

Thanks too Resin I think you gave me a good clue which will help me i.d. this one..."the leaves are too slender and pointed at the apex for that". I was able to determine that it probably wasn't 'Winter Green' because its leaves looked more rounded than mine. I think that noting the pointedness (not a word) will be a good clue for narrowing down which one I have. I tried to find a close up of Green Gem's leaves, but no luck so far. I will be taking a branch with me to the nurseries and comparing it with 'Green Gem'.

Thanks for letting me know that the Korean Boxwoods are a good choice for wintery zones, Gardengal. BTW...do you do mail order? Do you have boxwood standards! :-)

Eileen

take any of the latin names provided ... and insert it into google and add 'propagation' after it ...

and then start propagating THE EXACT PLANTS YOU have ... no need for a perfect ID ....

try the SEARCH function at the propagation forum .. i think its been asked a few times ... but am not sure.. since i don't DO boxwoods .... shiver .... plants that need to be sheared.. brings back teenage nightmares and shearing every plant at dads house ....

for the cost of a heating pad ... a plastic greenhouse.. potting medium [probably not soilless mix] and a shop light.. you can have dozens by spring ...

ken

PS: i wasn't chiding you for being in the wrong forum.. as the sperts came through here.. i was trying to get you to think about what you call things... all EVERGREENS are not conifers .... i am working hard on your learning curve.. lol

Nah Ken, I didn't take it that way...I took it exactly as you meant it, to remind me of the difference and actually, if you guys hadn't been so helpful here, I might have posted at shrubs about it (which *would* have been a more appropriate place for a boxwood). But, I think you guys have me on the right track and I'm off to the nursery now.

Eileen

Eileen, I just checked our original landscaper's blueprints and it is definitely the 'Green Gem' that we have. That is what I believe is in your photo. Ours were about 18-24" at planting 4 years ago... now they are about 3' x 3'... which tells me they grow about 3" per year. They look kind of dry though right now with this drought we are having, so I just gave them a good watering... and I have NEVER done that since the year they were planted!

The boxwood in the pics have cupped leaves which indicates that they are infested with boxwood psyllid, see link.
Sam

Here is a link that might be useful: Boxwood Psyllid Fact Sheet