Kingsville Boxwood Saikei – A Living Meditation

Botanical Name: Buxus microphylla

Common Name: Kingsville Boxwood Saikei

Story of the Tree

The Kingsville Boxwood gets its name from the Maryland nursery where it was discovered in 1912. It’s a hardy, slow-growing species well-suited for both shohin and saikei bonsai styles.

This particular saikei was created by Sandy Planting in the 1970s, inspired by a workshop with Toshio Kawamoto, the founder of the saikei bonsai form. It’s a layered landscape—more than just a tree, it's a composition with presence.

Today, Lynne continues its care with guidance and mentorship from Valerie Monroe, especially during repotting. The tree thrives under filtered light and regular attention to watering and fertilizing. Despite its intricacy, it is surprisingly low-maintenance—so long as you understand what it asks for.

Each time Lynne prepares it for the Kusamura Bonsai Show, she spends nearly 25 hours thinning and shaping the planting with cuticle scissors, finding the work to be a peaceful, absorbing practice.

“It was a meditation.”

And it shows.

Exhibited by: Lynne