B. sinica var. insularis = B. microphylla var. koreana. Same thing, Korean Boxwood or Littleleaf boxwood.

The particular cultivars 'Wintergreen' and 'Winter Gem' are apparently preferred selections of the Korean boxwood and are not a microphylla japonica. Although some of the literature seems to say Winter Gem is a japonica. You have to admit that it's a bit confusing.

While most Korean and Japanese boxwoods can bronze in winter sun, these varieties are less prone to that. 'Wintergreen' is also supposedly more resistant to some pests than the Japanese boxwood (B. microphylla japonica) and this selection may be somewhat different in ultimate size and bloom color. I would also suspect it to be hardier than its Japanese cousin, so this or 'Winter Gem' would be ones to look at for more northern climates.

To confuse things, there are a number of Buxus microphylla var. koreana x Buxus sempervirens hybrids with the name 'green' in them, most hardy into zone 5. These include 'Green Mountain', 'Green Velvet', 'Green Gem'.

I hope this helps!

after 2 zone 4 winters in a row .. in my otherwise z5a MI ... i have seen much BW damage in the area ...

you might want to rethink BW for a long lived hedge ...

ken

Boxwood does much better with winter shade. It makes the siting a bit tricky. For full sun, I'd try something else. Possibly grass.

I've run into that blog before. I'm thinking he is fairly far south, like southern Orange Co, but I couldn't find location information this time.

at that price.. why not give it a go ...

you know your odds ... so.. wing it.. lol

ken

Alright. I'm gonna give it a try! I spent a day removing the perennial geraniums, sedum and baby's breath that the previous owners had planted. I filled three large hefty bags full of weeds including the stuff in the middle of the picture below. The boxwood shrubs should be here early next week.