NewGen® Buxus

A new generation of boxwood for a market seeking certainty

Intro
Boxwood has faced significant pressure in recent years. Pests such as boxwood leafminer have damaged confidence in the crop, both at nursery level and in the end market. At the same time, demand for evergreen, formable structure plants has not disappeared. NewGen® Boxwood responds directly to this tension by introducing genetically selected cultivars developed for improved tolerance to boxwood blight and strong resistance to leafminer.

Within the program, two cultivars stand out: NewGen® Independence (‘SB108’) and NewGen® Freedom (‘SB300’).

Production advantages
The strength of NewGen® lies in targeted genetic selection. Independence was chosen for the NewGen™ brand because of its very high tolerance and its outstanding performance in boxwood leafminer trials. It develops a naturally rounded habit that becomes nearly as tall as it is wide, with a deep green foliage that maintains excellent winter color. Its strong branching structure improves its ability to withstand moderate to heavy snow loads, an important trait for production in colder zones.

Freedom distinguishes itself through more vigorous growth. It grows faster than many traditional cultivars, allowing nurseries to reach marketable sizes more quickly. The plant forms a uniform, tight structure that is more compact than varieties such as ‘Wintergreen’ or ‘Winter Gem’. Due to its vigor, annual pruning is recommended to prevent the plant from opening in the center, but with proper management it develops into a highly attractive, consistent product.

For growers, this translates into a more predictable crop with reduced risk from major disease pressure, provided cultivation practices are technically sound.

Application
Independence is positioned as a modern replacement for Buxus sempervirens. This is particularly relevant in segments where traditional English boxwood has struggled due to disease sensitivity. Its rounded habit makes it suitable for medium hedges and formal designs.

Freedom fits well in both residential and project landscapes. Its glossy medium-green foliage and slightly taller growth habit create a strong architectural presence. Both cultivars function as long-term structural elements rather than short-cycle impulse plants, making them valuable in sustainable landscape planning.

Consumer value
Today’s end user looks beyond appearance. Disease tolerance, durability and reduced maintenance input are increasingly important. Cultivars that show improved tolerance to boxwood blight and strong resistance to leafminer offer a more secure planting choice. In addition, both cultivars are described as deer resistant, adding value in regions where browsing pressure is an issue.
For retailers and landscape professionals, this enables a shift in messaging. Instead of defending boxwood as a vulnerable crop, the conversation can focus on genetic improvement and long-term reliability.

Export opportunities
Buxus pests are not limited to one geographic region. Across Europe and North America, growers have reduced their boxwood acreage or shifted to alternative species. Genetically selected cultivars with improved tolerance offer the potential to reposition boxwood in markets where confidence has declined.
For professional nurseries, this may open opportunities in licensed production, project-based supply and renewed inclusion of boxwood in specification-driven markets.

Why choose NewGen®?
Ultimately, growers require controllable risk and market stability. NewGen® Independence and Freedom combine ornamental value with targeted disease tolerance and pest resistance. This creates an opportunity to strategically reintroduce boxwood as a future-oriented crop rather than a liability.
In a market where trust has been shaken, genetic progress may well be the foundation for a new phase in boxwood production.