The Japanese Kingsville Boxwood – Buxus Microphylla – has tiny light green leaves that make it an ideal bonsai candidate. The tree grows slowly, is easy to care and can be shaped into a round ball through proper trimming. Its only disadvantage is that its leaves are poisonous, and can be dangerous for small pets.
The tree is quite hardy, but needs protection from frost and icy wind. It also needs plenty of fresh air during summers, and should be placed near a window. The tree’s water needs are moderate, and the soil should be allowed to dry slightly between watering.
Since the dwarf varieties grow slowly, the Box can be wired at any time and can tolerate radical treatments. The shape can be controlled by thinning and pinching the new growth that is not needed.
The great thing about Box is that it grows equally well in sun or shade. It adapts easily to interiors and can be quite healthy in rooms where the light is around 800 Lux..
It propagates by dividing in spring, or from hardwood cuttings taken in late summer or autumn. Air layering is also possible. The tree should be repotted every two years in spring but as this is a broadleaf evergreen, there is no hard and fast rule for repotting. The best time to report is light summers or autumn.
The basic bonsai soil can be used during repotting. However, please remember that the Box dislikes acid soil, as well as limestone in the soil mix. The soil should also be drained well.
The Box, which is a native of Japan, is most suitable for commercial use. Its wood is heavier than water and is used, among other things, to produce woodcut and precision instruments.
But for those who love bonsais there cannot be a better tree than Box.
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It would be great if people would stop referring to Kingsvill Boxwoods as “Japanese” – they were first discovered outside of Baltimore, Maryland and first offered for sale at the Kingsville nursery in Kingsville, Maryland – Japan didn’t have anything to do with it.
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