NewGen® Boxwood
NewGen® Boxwood

Ask the Expert

A smarter, stronger future for a classic landscape plant

(Sponsored) Bennet Saunders, general manager of Saunders Genetics LLC and owner of NewGen® boxwood, has worked with boxwood for 35 years before shifting into genetics. Saunders’ family and nursery, Saunders Brothers, has successfully grown boxwood in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia since 1948.

Saunders Genetics/NewGen boxwood and Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs are launching a new partnership, with NewGen joining the Proven Winners brand’s line of over 330 flowering shrubs and evergreens.

Q. What makes NewGen boxwood different from traditional boxwood varieties?

A. NewGen was born as an answer to the most recent insect and disease issues with boxwood, including boxwood blight and boxwood leafminer. The two cultivars are beautiful plants that exhibit good resistance to boxwood leafminer and show good resistance to box blight with proper care.

Q. How do improved genetics contribute to better disease resistance in NewGen boxwood?

A. The cultivars selected were chosen from hundreds of cultivars that showed better resistance through replicated trials.

Q. How does a proper growing environment play a role in maximizing NewGen boxwood performance?

A. A proper growing environment makes a fair plant look good, and a good plant look excellent. Never plant any boxwood without first selecting and preparing the environment so that the plant will truly perform its best, with clean, glossy, deep green foliage and a full, dense habit.

Q. Why was NewGen boxwood a strong fit for the Proven Winners ColorChoice shrub line?

A. NewGen® boxwood are heavily tested to be sure that the plant is superior to other plants, and thus it is “proven.” Because of the exhaustive testing completed for NewGen® boxwood, the Proven Winners brand is very appropriate for the NewGen line of boxwood.

Our deep and rich history of boxwood growing contributes to our understanding and promotion of boxwood. For over 75 years, our family has selected, grown and promoted boxwood — the backbone of landscapes throughout the Eastern United States.

Q. What should growers and landscapers know to ensure long-term success with NewGen boxwood?

A. Always properly prepare the site and soil before planting; good drainage is imperative in production and in the landscape. Always use best management practices for minimizing the chances of box blight or any other boxwood issues.