Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) are the quintessential shrubs, primarily utilized as a foundation plant, a formal medium hedge, or for low privacy screening. Over the past half century, many new boxwood varieties have been introduced into nursery commerce. Boxwoods work in most landscape situations and are deer resistant. Only a few years ago, boxwood production at U.S. nurseries was greater than for azaleas, hollies, hydrangeas, and arborvitaes.

Brief History– The impact of boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudnaviculata) on nursery sales has been crippling. Professional landscapers and homeowners could no longer guarantee that the boxwoods they purchased were disease-free. Boxwood relatives, such as Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis), Allegheny spurge (P. procumbens), and Sweetbox (Sarcococca spp.), are also susceptible to boxwood blight.

Additionally, other boxwood diseases and pest problems – namely Volutella canker (Volutella buxii), boxwood leafminer, and midge — have become major concerns here in the U.S. and internationally.

Solution– Plant scientists and nursery growers now have a better understanding about the disease organism that causes Boxwood Blight and how to manage it. The best news is that two highly resistant varieties are now coming to garden centers.

NewGen™ Boxwoods are a new family of boxwoods that offer greater resistance to diseases and pests, as well as incredible landscape performance. After many years of testing in the landscape, production, lab, and trial gardens across the U.S., Saunders Bros Nursery has debuted two boxwood varieties that are Boxwood Blight resistant. This wholesale nursery is located in Roanoke Valley area in central Virginia,

NewGen Independence® (PP28888) is a mid-sized boxwood highly resistance to both Boxwood Blight and boxwood leafminer. It has glossy deep green foliage and a medium rounded growth habit (@ 2 to 4 inches per year, nearly as tall as wide). Size: 15 years (3 feet tall and 3 feet wide) 25 years (4.5 feet tall and 4.5 feet wide). Substitutes for: English Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’), ‘Green Beauty’, ‘Green Velvet’, and ‘Green Mound’. (Zones 5b-8).

NewGen Freedom® is highly resistance to Boxwood Blight and to boxwood leafminer. It grows vigorously @ 3 to 6 inches per year along with lovely glossy medium green foliage. Size: 15 years (3.5 feet tall and wide); 25 years (5 feet tall and wide). grows slightly taller than wide. Substitutes for: ‘Wintergreen’, ‘Winter Gem’, ‘Jim Stauffer’, ‘Green Mountain’. (Zones 5-8).