Fastigiate cultivar, resembling at first glance a broadleaf Irish Yew! A perfect vertical accent or narrow hedge, in full sun or partial shade. I am astounded that the narrow, upright boxwood cultivars are still relatively unknown in this country and not put to greater use. Astounded, I say, astounded.

By chance, I visited Chartwell, the family home of Sir Winston himself, on the day that the gardener sheared a handsome and striking yellow-variegated boxwood. Offered the prunings, I could not resist. Here they now grow. Extremely bright and effective, making a dense and colorful shrub to 6 ft. if not pruned.

Creamy white leaf margins on this evergreen shrub, to brighten dark corners or make a distinctive hedge. Lovely in our woodland, I would not consider shearing this truly elegant shrub, instead letting it grow of its own accord; the results are graceful and enlightening throughout the year.

Selected at the Morris Arboretum for its incredibly dense growth, forming tight mounds of evergreen, bronze-tinted foliage. A lovely choice to border a formal pathway as well as to edge the beds of a potager (see picture). If your spot is full sun, just make sure the soil does not get bone-dry to avoid dull foliage color. A carefree formal low hedge requiring very little maintenance-the "perfect touch".

We are indebted to Scarlett, aka Susie, Marglin for sharing with us this sport that occurred in her garden in Medina, WA. We have long been attracted to this finely textured evergreen shrublet with small, rounded, glossy evergreen leaves along stems rising to 2 ft. This sport brandishes foliage sprightly variegated in creamy white infused with pinkish tones, adding folial interest to the shrub year-round. Small, rather insignificant flowers. Marginally hardy in the PNW, this is best used as a superlative ingredient in a tasteful container or in climates that can accommodate it.