Buxus Winter Gem question

[ls]

Hey everyone--

I just purchased 5 Buxus Winter Gems (buxus microphylla 'Winter Gem'). I thought they would be a good substitute for Green Mountain as I prefer a bigger leaf . The Monrovia tag says Winter Gem matures to " 4 to 6 ft tall and wide". *BUT* after getting them home and doing a little more research, I'm seeing more websites with Winter Gem listed at a 2 to 3 ft mature height. Does anyone know the true mature height?

Thanks so much

[Mr. Bill]

'Winter Gem' should go to only 2 - 3 ft. The place you bought yours from probably has them confused with Dwarf English Boxwood a.k.a. bxuus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa' which will mature at actually six or seven feet with about a six foot spread. Were the plants labled with 'winter gem' and the height indication was 4 to 6 ft? If so, it is contrary to all of the 'winter gem' boxwood I know of at least. I would not put those plants down where you are expecting a six footer because if they truely are 'winter gem' you will be dissapointed. Go with the 'suffruticosa' instead. Same leaf as the 'winter gem' but bigger shrubs when all is said and done. Should you need to keep the 'suffruticosa' to a 5 - 6 foot maximum they can be kept pruned to that height and will not attain the full seven foot height. Regular pruning on them will also make the shrub more dense as a bonus.

Mr. Bill

[LesaSt]

Thanks so much Mr Bill for the reply. Indeed, the "official" Monrovia tag (as well as the Monrovia.com website) has this as "Winter Gem Boxwood" at "4-6 ft tall and wide, when unpruned". The tag actually has the name on the front, inside and the back of the tag--so it's not a misprint. I've planted them where I needed 2-3 feet plants and appreciate your suggestion for the suffrutiosa in the other areas.