A Kingsville Boxwood It Aint No More by John Biel For some time now, there has been a question about the correct name of a boxwood that is frequently used for bonsai. This boxwood is often just referred to as "Kingsville Boxwood". For clarification, the proper name for this attractive plant was researched by Anita Hawkins, a member of the Internet Bonsai Club, with the result that she was asked by Lynn Batdorf at the US National Arboretum, to pass on the history of this cultivar we commonly refer to as "Kingsville". Mr. Batdorf is the curator of the boxwood collection at the Arboretum, the registrar of cultivar names, and the author of the Boxwood Handbook. Here, then, is Mr. Batdorf's history of the Boxwood we know as Kingsville. *************************** Yes, probably the entire bonsai community incorrectly uses the name Buxus microphylla /Kingsville/ and /Kingsville Dwarf/ when referring to'Compacta'. I'm very glad to set the record straight for you. Buxus microphylla 'Compacta' was registered by Dr. Donald Wyman in his 1963 article "Boxwood Prized Where Ever Hardy Form is Found" which appeared in the 117(7):50 issue of American Nurseryman. Henry Hohman had showed the plant to Wyman who went on to register it. It originated as a seedling selected by William Appleby of Baltimore in 1912. When Appleby died in the 1920's, Hohman bought the boxwood seedlings and began propagating them. 'Compacta' was released to the trade in 1937. At the suggestion of Dr. Wyman then of the Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts, Hohman originally named the plant Buxus microphylla var. compacta. Growing very slowly with small leaves and treelike branching has made 'Compacta' a prefect and popular choice for bonsai. The first 'Compacta' used for bonsai originated from the Kingsville Nursery in Kingsville, Maryland, thus using the source as a name, bonsai enthusiasts call it /Kingsville/ or /Kingsville Dwarf/. The named selected by Hohman (B. microphylla var. compacta) is a synonym for B. microphylla 'Compacta'. /Kingsville/ and /Kingsville Dwarf/ are also a synonym for B. microphylla 'Compacta'. I would be grateful if you could pass this registration information on to the larger bonsai community. I find it quite unfortunate to see such a beautiful bonsai specimen as 'Compacta' repeatedly and incorrectly named as either /Kingsville/ or /Kingsville Dwarf/. As a point of interest, your nurseryman in Kingsville is correct. Also, as you correctly noted, 'Compacta' does throw sports of its own, having given rise to several other registered boxwood cultivars that are stable: 'Curly Locks', 'Grace Hendrick Phillips', 'Helen Whiting', 'Henry Hohman', and 'Sunlight'. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Lynn R. Batdorf International Cultivar Registration Authority for Buxus U.S. National Arboretum