Franklin's Gem Dwarf Boxwood

Franklin’s Gem is a compact Korean boxwood with a low, spreading habit and glossy evergreen foliage. Lime-green spring growth matures toward olive green, and its small scale suits edging, low hedges, and foundation plantings. ## Cultivar and placement [ Saunders Brothers’ cultivar profile](https://www.saundersbrothers.com/plant/Buxus-sinica-var-insularis-Franklins-Gem) identifies Buxus sinica var. insularis ‘Franklin’s Gem’ and gives a mature height of 1–2 feet with a 3-foot spread. [Loen Nursery](https://www.loennursery.com/products/bxs-mc-fkg) reports a broader 2–3 foot range in both dimensions. Allow roughly 1–3 feet in height and 2–3 feet in spread; the cultivar forms a rounded, compact mound. The University of Maryland Extension notes that boxwood grows well in dappled shade when drainage is good. ## Maintenance Use well-drained soil and prune lightly in late winter or early spring if a denser outline is desired. Light annual pruning can reduce opening in the center over time. Avoid heavy shearing unless followed by selective thinning.