Overview
Uses: Low hedges, foundation plantings, borders, formal gardens, and outdoor containers.
Benefits: A classic rounded boxwood bred for strong resistance to boxwood blight and boxwood leafminer. Glossy deep-green leaves hold their color through winter, the dense branches stand up to snow load, and deer leave it alone.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Rounded — dense, naturally full form.
Foliage Color: Glossy Deep Green
Mature Height: 3–4 feet
Mature Width: 3–4 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Summary
The classic boxwood look, bred to stand up to the problems that ruin so many boxwood hedges.
Boxwood has been the backbone of formal gardens for centuries, but in recent years boxwood blight and boxwood leafminer have wiped out plantings that took decades to establish. NewGen Independence® was bred for strong resistance to both, so you can plant a boxwood hedge with far more confidence that it will still look full years from now.
It grows into a dense, naturally rounded shrub about three to four feet tall and wide, with small, glossy, deep green leaves that keep their color through the cold months. The branching is tight enough to hold a sheared line for a formal hedge, but the plant also looks finished left to its own rounded shape.
The structure is sturdy, so branches spring back after heavy snow rather than splaying open. Deer tend to leave boxwood alone, which makes it one of the most reliable evergreens for foundation plantings in browsing country.
Care
NewGen Independence® Boxwood Care
Plant in full sun to partial shade. In colder, windy sites, a spot sheltered from strong winter wind and afternoon winter sun helps the leaves keep their deep green color instead of bronzing.
Boxwood needs well-drained soil and does well in neutral to slightly alkaline ground. Avoid low spots where water collects; wet feet is the most common cause of decline.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season. Boxwood roots are shallow, so a two-inch layer of mulch helps hold moisture, but keep it a few inches away from the stems. Water established plants during long dry spells, and give them a deep soak in late fall before the ground freezes.
Feed in early spring with a slow release fertilizer.
Shear or shape in late spring or early summer, after the new growth has filled out. Avoid pruning in late summer or fall, which pushes tender growth that can be damaged by winter. Thinning a few interior branches every couple of years lets light and air into the center, which keeps the plant healthier.
Growing in Containers
Boxwood is a favorite for pots flanking a door or lining a terrace. Use a container with drainage holes and a quality potting mix, water when the top inch dries, and feed lightly in spring, since frequent watering washes nutrients from the mix. Roots in containers experience greater cold exposure than roots in the ground. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.
Size
What Size is the NewGen Independence® Boxwood for Sale Online?
Our NewGen Independence® Boxwood ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does NewGen Independence® Boxwood Grow?
Expect about 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity, in a dense, rounded shape. It grows slowly, so it takes several years to reach full size. Space plants about 2 to 3 feet apart for a continuous hedge.
Additional Information
What is the botanical name of NewGen Independence® Boxwood?
The botanical name is Buxus NewGen Independence® ‘SB 108’. It is a Proven Winners® ColorChoice® shrub selected for disease resistance and a classic rounded form.
What are some common names for this plant?
It is commonly called boxwood, or simply box.
What does blight and leafminer resistance mean for my hedge?
Boxwood blight causes leaf spots, rapid leaf drop, and dark streaks on stems, and it can strip a hedge bare in a single wet season. Boxwood leafminer tunnels inside the leaves, leaving them blistered and yellow. NewGen Independence® was selected for strong resistance to both. Resistance is not total immunity, so good spacing, airflow, and clean pruning tools still help, but it gives a hedge a much better chance of staying full.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes. Deer rarely browse boxwood, which is one of the reasons it is so widely used around homes in rural and suburban areas. No plant is completely deer proof, but this is one of the most dependable evergreens where deer are a problem. See more Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens.
